{"id":22069,"date":"2025-10-10T09:55:38","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T09:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeplatform.eu\/?p=22069"},"modified":"2025-10-10T09:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T09:55:38","slug":"catch-of-the-day-september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeplatform.eu\/ma\/catch-of-the-day-september-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Catch of the Day – September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

News about fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant fishing communities<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

2\/9 Baltic Quota Proposals 2026: LIFE Calls for Fairer Burden-Sharing on Quota Cuts to Protect Small-Scale Fisheries<\/b><\/p>\n

The European Commission has proposed a total Baltic Sea quota of 295,000 tonnes for 2026, over 96% of which is concentrated in herring and sprat for the pelagic fleet. L<\/span>IFE warns that the steepest cuts \u2014 salmon (-27%), western Baltic cod (-84%) and spring-spawning herring (-50%) \u2014 fall on the small-scale coastal sector<\/span><\/a>, which makes up 92% of the fleet but is already struggling after a 36% fall in the value of catches between 2018 and 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

LIFE calls for a fairer and more balanced approach: maintaining quotas closer to 2025 TACs, reintroducing derogations for vessels under 12m with passive gears, focusing reductions on industrial pelagic fisheries that supply fishmeal for non-EU markets, and improving monitoring of unrecorded bycatch. Without these adjustments, the Commission\u2019s plan risks undermining vulnerable small-scale fishers rather than addressing the true drivers of stock decline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3\/9 <\/b>LIFE on the Panel at European Parliament Conference \u201cBaltic Sea Bankruptcy\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"On 3 September, LIFE took part in the <\/span>European Parliament conference <\/span>\u201cBaltic Sea Bankruptcy \u2013 a changed climate, broken economy and ecosystem\u201d<\/span><\/i>, hosted by MEP Isabella L\u00f6vin, Vice-Chair of the SEArica Intergroup. <\/span><\/a>The event brought together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to discuss how climate change, ecosystem collapse and flawed fisheries management are undermining the Baltic\u2019s resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n

LIFE\u2019s Baltic and North Sea Coordinator, Christian Tsangarides, joined the panel, stressing the urgent need for a fairer, more balanced approach to fisheries management that recognises the role of small-scale fishers in sustaining coastal communities and rebuilding the sea\u2019s ecological health. LIFE underlined that solutions must focus on restoring fish stocks, ensuring equitable burden-sharing, strengthening the robustness of ICES advice, and addressing the imbalance whereby cuts consistently fall on small-scale fisheries while pelagic fleets targeting herring and sprat remain largely untouched. Only by tackling these challenges head-on can the long-term socio-economic and ecological sustainability of the Baltic Sea be secured.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

9\/9 LIFE at the Economist\u2019s World Ocean Summit Europe<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/b>On 9 September, LIFE Senior Advisor Jeremy Percy attended the <\/span>World Ocean Summit Europe<\/span><\/i> in Cascais, Portugal, <\/span><\/a>convened\u00a0by the Economist Impact\u2019s World Ocean Initiative. Building on outcomes from the UN Ocean Conference and following earlier summits in Tokyo and Lisbon, the event gathered policymakers, investors, industry leaders, scientists and NGOs to shape Europe\u2019s role in future ocean governance and the sustainable blue economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a forum dominated by discussions on technology, mega funds, investment returns and the broader \u201cblue economy,\u201d traditional fisheries were largely absent from the agenda. As one of the very few fishermen in the room, Jeremy Percy brought that perspective to the table, highlighting the realities and challenges facing the sector during his panel intervention. Despite limited speaking time, he was able to underline the importance of small-scale fisheries in any sustainable ocean strategy. His presence served as a timely reminder that, amid the focus on finance and innovation, fishing communities must not be overlooked in the conversation about the future of our seas.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

18-19\/9 \u201cLIFE President Gwen Pennarun Brings Small-Scale Fishers\u2019 Voice to Les Assises de la P\u00eache et de la Mer\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

On 18\u201319 September, LIFE President Gwen Pennarun took part in the <\/span>15th edition of Les Assises de la P\u00eache et de la Mer in Boulogne-sur-Mer,<\/span><\/a> France\u2019s leading fishing port and seafood hub. For over a decade, this annual gathering has been a key forum for reflection and debate on the future of the fisheries and seafood sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen Pennarun used the occasion to underline LIFE\u2019s concerns about the latest ICES assessments for sea bass, which appear far removed from fishers\u2019 observations. He also raised alarm over the recent CRPM deliberation on \u201cfour-panel bottom trawls,\u201d which in practice are pelagic trawls operating in coastal waters, with serious implications for ecosystems and small-scale fisheries. On the opening day, he also engaged with IFSEA students, presenting LIFE\u2019s work at local, regional and EU levels, and discussing how to empower fishers to co-manage their fishing grounds and secure fair and sustainable prices. His contributions ensured that the voice of small-scale fishers \u2014 and the future of those training to join the sector \u2014 were central to the discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

23\/9 PECH Committee Challenges New EU Budget Proposal, and the \u20ac2bn Reserved for Fisheries\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The PECH Committee meeting saw a meeting with Commissioner Costas Kadis defending the EU budget – the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for the next period – 2028-34. Within the new MFF, there is no dedicated fisheries fund as such. Rather, in the main, fisheries will have to apply for funding under new \u201cNational and Regional Partnership Plans\u201d (NRPP), where the <\/span>minimum<\/i><\/b> amount reserved for fisheries is stated to be \u00a0 \u20ac2 billion over the 7 year period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposal came under fire from MEPs across the political spectrum, who criticised it as a drastic reduction compared to the \u20ac 6 billion under the current EMFAF. Several MEPs also criticised the NRPP approach as \u201crenationalising the CFP\u201d. Despite assurances that \u20ac2 billion was only a minimum allocation and part of a reorganisation of funds, the Commissioner struggled to convince MEPs and at times to respond to their concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Director Stylianos Mitolidis (DG MARE) clarified that the new budget shifts from \u201cprescribed eligibility\u201d to a \u201cneeds and performance\u201d basis, applying the principle of \u201cdo no harm.\u201d Decarbonisation, green transition, and sectoral development will fall under the EU Competitiveness Fund, while most fisheries financing would flow through National and Regional Partnership Plans. However, the move sparked fears of renationalisation: how to ensure a level playing field if some Member States modernise their fleets while others do not, or between coastal and landlocked states? Several MEPs also raised the lack of stakeholder involvement in shaping the new framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interventions by MEPs Isabella L\u00f6vin, Luke Ming Flanagan, and Thomas Bajada highlighted broader concerns. L\u00f6vin drew attention to the dire state of EU seas \u2014 from warming Mediterranean waters to the crisis in the Baltic \u2014 and asked how support would deliver on environmental commitments. Flanagan and Carmen Crespo warned of misplaced priorities, pointing out that while rearmament budgets are rising five-fold, agriculture is cut by 30% and fisheries by 60%, undermining food security and food sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the fund, Kadis flagged three main priorities: the situation in the Baltic and the Mediterranean, the upcoming CFP evaluation, and the Energy Transition Roadmap for 2026. On the Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council, he expressed strong support, though it remains unclear whether its establishment is tied to the CFP revision.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a deeper, more detailed<\/span> LIFE analysis of the proposed funding shift, including how small-scale fisheries might fare under the new architecture, read our dedicated article.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Other News<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

African Artisanal Fishers Commended by FAO for Contribution to Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>African Confederation of Professional Organisations of Artisanal Fisheries (CAOPA) has been selected by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in recognition of its contribution to deliver sustainable aquatic food systems. A recognition ceremony will take place at FAO headquarters on October 15, 2025, as part of the FAO 80th Anniversary celebrations, to be held during the FAO World Food Forum 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Small-scale Fisheries Feature Big in Irish Sea Fisheries Board Annual Report, but Present Several Paradoxes<\/b><\/p>\n

The report highlights that the SSF sector<\/span><\/a>, comprising all vessels under 12 meters regardless of gear type, represents the numerical heart of Irish fishing with 1,164 active vessels \u2013 84% of the total active fleet. These predominantly family-owned operations, scattered along Ireland\u2019s extensive coastline, serve as economic anchors for remote coastal communities where alternative employment opportunities remain scarce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite representing just 7% of the fleet\u2019s total engine power and 25% of gross tonnage, the SSF sector punches well above its weight in employment terms, providing 974 full-time equivalent positions \u2013 a remarkable 56% of all national FTEs in the fishing sector. This statistic underscores the labour-intensive nature of inshore operations and their crucial role in maintaining the social fabric of coastal Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the SSF sector\u2019s strongest attributes lies in its fuel efficiency, making it a strategic option for energy transition to low carbon production. Small potting vessels demonstrated remarkable efficiency at 358 litres per tonne landed \u2013 a stark contrast to the 1,100+ litres required by larger demersal trawlers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023 the sector experienced an 11% decline in revenue and a 9% drop in Gross Value Added (GVA) compared to 2022.\u00a0 However, it simultaneously achieved a spectacular 180% increase in gross profit to \u20ac10.9 million.<\/span><\/p>\n

The high proportion of unpaid labour in SSF operations \u2013 41% of vessels reported having at least one unpaid male worker \u2013 highlights the family-based nature of many operations. While this provides operational flexibility and helps maintain viability during challenging periods, it also raises questions about fair compensation and social protection for family members contributing to fishing operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Planetary Health Check 2025: 7 out of 9 Critical Earth System Boundaries have been Breached<\/b><\/p>\n

The nine boundaries together form Earth\u2019s operating system, the interconnected life-support processes that must stay within safe limits to keep humanity safe and the natural world resilient. <\/span>Scientists monitor these boundaries<\/span><\/a> through key measures, much like vital signs in a health check, to track the planet\u2019s condition. The findings point to accelerating deterioration and growing risk of irreversible change, including a higher risk of tipping points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2025, scientists warn that yet another \u201cplanetary boundary,\u201d ocean acidification, has been crossed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Findings of the European Parliament Study on the Baltic Multiannual Plan: Critical Status of Key Fish Stock<\/strong>s<\/p>\n

On September 4, <\/span>the findings of the study commissioned by the EP on the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward were presented.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0The study reveals \u201c<\/span>that four of the seven Baltic fish stocks managed under the MAP\u2014both cod stocks (Eastern Baltic cod – EBC, and Western Baltic cod – WBC) and the open-sea herring stocks (Central Baltic herring – CBH, and Western Baltic spring spawning herring – WBSSH)\u2014are critically endangered, with spawning stock biomass far below the limit under which the reproductive capacity of fish population is impaired (Blim)\u201d<\/span><\/i>. It concludes that \u201c<\/span>the MAP has largely failed to achieve its objective of restoring and maintaining harvested species populations above MSY levels. Overfishing has pushed many stocks into low productivity states, where critically low biomass impairs their reproductive capacity, leading to a decoupling of stock size from fishing pressure and making recovery difficult even with reduced fishing efforts<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coming up<\/b><\/p>\n

13-19\/10 Brussels, Belgium –<\/span> Ocean week 2025 <\/span><\/a>– A week of debates, exhibitions and other events to celebrate Europe’s seas and explore how to rebuild their abundance.\u00a0 Events include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n