Make Fishing Fair…now!
Make Fishing Fair event held in Brussels on 17 November
Access the Make Fishing Fair Roadmap here
Photo @Matt Judge/Blue Ventures
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Catch of the Day – October 2025
Nieuws over eerlijke visserij, gezonde zeeën en levendige vissersgemeenschappen
8/10 LIFE Board of Directors meet to discuss direction for 2025/2026
The Secretariat updated the Board of Directors (BOD) the most recent on developments, with a focus on the upcoming Small-Scale Fisheries Implementation Dialogue and LIFE’s role in it. This round-table is an integral part of the EU Commissioner’s Mission, and is scheduled for November 24. For LIFE, it highlights important political capital and an important not to be missed opportunity. A key highlight of the meeting was the approval of the application of the Norwegian Association “Norges Kystfiskarlag” as Associate Members, further strengthening LIFE’s representation in Northern Europe. Recommendations for responding to the issue of a Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council were also agreed alongside the Make Fishing Fair Roadmap, with key priorities and format of a call to action that will be discussed during a dedicated event in Brussels on the 17 of November.
The upcoming Elective General Assembly and enhancing LIFE’s engagement within the Advisory Councils were also discussed. LIFE’s BOD remains committed to advancing the voice and rights of small-scale fishers across Europe, with renewed energy and solidarity.
8/10 New members on board: small-scale fishers from Norway join LIFE
LIFE is pleased to welcome Norges Kystfiskarlag, representing Norway’s small-scale fishers, as a new member of the network. With over 400 vessels committed to low-impact, sustainable fishing, Norges Kystfiskarlag brings valuable experience and a strong voice from Norway’s coastal communities. Their membership strengthens cooperation across the North Sea region, enhancing joint efforts toward fair, sustainable, and resilient fisheries management in Europe’s northern waters.
13/10-17/10 LIFE at Ocean Week 2025
LIFE actively participated in this year’s EU Ocean Week which took place in the European Parliament, engaging in key debates on sustainable fisheries, equitable funding, and community-based ocean governance.
Brian O’Riordan, LIFE Policy Advisor, joined the panel of an event on EU funding organised by ClientEarth alongside Seas At Risk and BirdLife to discuss the urgent need to rethink EU fisheries subsidies under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The initiative was hosted by French MEP Yon Courtin, and the discussion highlighted how current funding through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) continues to favour large-scale industrial fleets, calling instead for fair and sustainable financing that supports small-scale, low-impact fishers and healthy marine ecosystems.
Praising the Communty-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, LIFE emphasised that for small-scale fishers to benefit from sectoral support going forward, three prerequisite conditions need to be met:
- Recognition of their strategic socio-economic role in EU fisheries with the political will to support them;
- Targeted aid/ Small-scale Fisheries action plan and a ring fenced budget; and
- A fit for purpose aid delivery system taking the special characteristics of SSF into account
LIFE staff also attended an event organised by Blue Marine and Oceano Azul, hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, which focused on community engagement in the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The event highlighted successful examples from across Europe and reaffirmed the importance of involving local fishers and coastal communities in achieving the EU’s goal of protecting 30% of its seas by 2030. It featured testimonies from fishers from mainland Portugal, Greece, and Italy, and included an address by EU Commissioner Costas Kadis.
Finally, LIFE participated in the FishSec event “Small Fish, Big Impact: Time for Ecosystem-Based Management,” chaired by MEP Isabella Lövin. The discussion underscored the crucial role of small pelagic species such as sprat, herring, and sandeel in maintaining marine ecosystem health and called for their sustainable, ecosystem-based management across Europe.
In parallel, LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, attended the European Foundations for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (EFSAF) gathering, joining civil society actors working toward a fair and sustainable agri-food transition. Her participation helped align small-scale fisheries priorities with regenerative food movements and explore synergies between ocean and land-based communities for resilient, nature-positive food systems.
Through these engagements, LIFE continues to advocate for sustainability, fairness, and community participation at the heart of EU ocean and fisheries policies.
16/10 LIFE Responds to the EC Proposal for Baltic Sea Fishing Opportunities 2026
On 16 October, LIFE attended the European Parliament’s PECH Committee, where the European Commission presented its proposal for 2026 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities.
LIFE welcomes the proposal as a step toward stock recovery, but warns that the small-scale coastal fishery (SSCF) — which represents 92% of the fleet and 77% of fishing employment — continues to bear a disproportionate share of the recovery burden. LIFE calls for quota cuts to be directed toward the industrial pelagic fleet, which dominates Baltic catches and supplies fishmeal largely for export, while maintaining limited SSCF access and addressing ecological pressures such as prey depletion and unmanaged predators.
Following the Council’s decision, LIFE expresses deep disappointment. Ministers allocate nearly 97% of the total Baltic commercial catch to herring and sprat, most destined for fishmeal and export — a choice that favours short-term industrial gains over ecosystem recovery and the survival of coastal fisheries.
Despite encouraging signals from Commissioner Costas Kadis, who prioritises reversing the decline in the Baltic, the Council’s actions fall short. The 45% increase in the sprat quota, based on uncertain scientific assumptions, risks repeating past mistakes and undermines fragile stocks.
LIFE continues to call for prudence and fairness in Baltic fisheries management — to rebuild ecosystems, restore livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for small-scale fishers.
22/10 LIFE members excluded from market as they lack MSC certification
When one of our members went to deliver herring to a local processor, they received bad news. The supermarket chain that they supplied would now only accept fish that came from trawlers because they were MSC certified. After journalists reported on the story there have been further discussions on creating a solution but at present fishing with selective, low impact methods means they are excluded from the market. This highlights how important LIFE’s work to establish a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for small-scale fisheries is key for their viability.
31/10 LIFE follows up with the Commission and ICES regarding scientific advice
In a continuation of the dialogue that we began in May with a brief to Commissioner Costas Kadis, LIFE has recommended that the request from the EU for scientific advice on the management of fish stocks is adjusted so that the models used for advice aim to provide moreand larger fish.
With the 5 year Framework Partnership Agreement between the Commission and ICES due to expire next year and the upcoming discussions regarding the Annual Grant Agreement we see an opportunity to improve the basis upon which management takes its decisions and thereby implements the Common Fisheries Policy more successfully.
As we have seen in the recent discussions on Baltic quotas, the interpretation of ICES advice has become a key part of the negotiations while the need for rebuilding advice is long overdue.
We make two recommendations for immediate improvements to the scientific advice. Firstly, mixed unsorted catches from the industrial fleet should be controlled by eDNA when landings exceed 1 tonne. This would improve data quality by accurately recording bycatch and species composition. Secondly, thresholds should be revised so that stocks are kept to at least 40% of their original size while fishing on small pelagic species and prey stocks should be limited so as to improve biodiversity and ecosystem health.
23-24/10 – 29th Meeting of the Member States Expert Group on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSEG) in Limassol, Cyprus.
Earlier this year, LIFE was accepted as an observer to the MSEG — a forum where Member States exchange knowledge and experiences on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). LIFE attended this meeting remotely in its observer capacity.
A significant part of the discussions focused on the implementation dialogue held in July, the supporting studies, and the future revision of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). As outlined in the Ocean Pact, the European Commission plans to propose an “Ocean Act”, which will include a revision of the MSPD and an initiative on ocean observation. Consequently, much of the meeting was dedicated to engaging with Member States on the forthcoming MSPD/Ocean Act revision.
Energy Transition Partnership: next steps
The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) process to develop contributions for a future Roadmap for the Energy Transition in Europe is reaching a crucial and decisive stage.
Following numerous meetings throughout the year with both the SSF Working Group and the wider Support Group, the SSF Working Group has finalised its sectoral recommendations for the Energy Transition. These have been submitted to DG MARE and the ETP Assistance Mechanism.
The entire Support Group is now discussing the joint recommendations, which will highlight the points of convergence across different sectors. The final document is expected to be published by December.
LIFE Baltic Coordinator Interviewed by Swedish Radio on Salmon Bycatch
LIFE’s Baltic and North Sea Coordinator, Christian Tsangarides, was recently interviewed by a Swedish Radio on the issue of salmon bycatch in the Baltic Sea.
Christian explained LIFE’s mission as an organisation that unites small-scale fishers and members committed to low-impact, environmentally responsible fishing. He highlighted that up to 100,000 salmon may be caught as bycatch in the Baltic each year — a figure that, while uncertain and based on older estimates, underscores the urgent need for better data and monitoring.
He noted that new tools such as environmental DNA (eDNA) could play a key role in improving knowledge on salmon bycatch and assessing whether it poses a threat to wild salmon populations. eDNA works by analysing genetic material shed by organisms into their environment, allowing scientists to identify species, support stock assessments, and even trace illegal or unreported catches without the need for direct capture.
The interview also features the perspective of Dennis Bergman, a Swedish small-scale fisher, who explains why salmon is so vital to small-scale fisheries and coastal communities across the Baltic region.
Komt eraan:
4-5/11 Helsinki, Finland – Energy Transition in Fisheries, from visions to action: The Conference on Energy Transition in Fisheries brings together Northern European stakeholders to define concrete actions for a decarbonization of the fisheries sector.
17/11 Brussels, Belgium – Via their Make Fishing Fair campaign, LIFE and Blue Ventures bring together 45 fishers from 17 countries across Europe to meet with EU Commissioner Costas Kadis, MEPs and stakeholders to present their priorities and demands for resilient, fair, and profitable small-scale fisheries.
17-18/11 Viimsi,Tallinn, Estonia – Baltic Sea Regional Forum for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change: the Forum will have a special focus on the Baltic region and bring together regional and local leaders, Mission Ocean Charter Signatories, policymakers, experts, and project practitioners to share best practices in climate adaptation and resilience.
24/11 Brussels, Belgium – Implementation Dialogue on Small-Scale Fisheries – the European Commission will host an Implementation Dialogue on Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF), bringing together stakeholders to discuss progress and next steps in advancing the SSF sector across Europe. The meeting aims to ensure effective implementation of policies supporting small-scale fisheries.
LIFE urges Commissioner to strengthen the scientific basis of EU fisheries management ahead of ICES agreement renewal.
The letter highlights the need for better data quality and more realistic proxy values to rebuild fish populations. It calls for leadership to ensure sustainable, ecosystem-based management that benefits both fisheries and biodiversity.
Baltic Ministers go to the casino. Will their gamble pay off?
It is easy to place a bet when you are playing with other people’s money. One may wonder why they should be prudent when the downside risk is paid by someone else.
With the Council electing to allocate almost 97% of the total Baltic commercial catch to herring and sprat, the vast majority destined for export to fishmeal and fishoil factories and then exported again to outside the EU, it is clear on whose behalf the gamble was made.
The EU’s track record of successfully managing our Baltic fish stocks has been abysmal. Most stocks are at or close to record low levels. Since 2016 – when the Baltic Sea Multiannual plan was adopted, stocks are down by over 800.000 tonnes and annual catches have declined by over 100.000 tonnes. The most commercially important stock, cod, has been closed since 2019. The cod are still starving due to a lack of prey availability while their predators, seals and cormorants, are left unmanaged.
In the small-scale coastal fleet wages have stagnated and catches are poor. Demand outstrips supply for our products and yet Ministers have once again decided against a growth agenda. If the Council was a company the CEO would have been fired long ago.
Change
This year there has been a marked shift from the European Commission. Since Costas Kadis was appointed as Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans he has consistently highlighted that reversing the trend of decline in the Baltic is a priority. His message seems to have partially gotten through.
For all four herring stocks, as well as for both cod and salmon stocks the decisions taken by Council could and should have been better. However, at the very least they mark a break in the trend of the most destructive short-term tendencies witnessed to date, which have contributed to low revenue, widespread underemployment and poor future prospects for the fishery.
However, the big decision this year was for sprat. The Commission proposal was for a rollover of the quota but the Council elected to exceed the TAC by 45%. Regrettably the blame for this decision lands squarely at the door of scientists, who made dubious assumptions in their stock assessment.
If their forecast is correct the sprat stock will increase in size by an unprecedented 88% in 2026 followed by another 13% growth in 2027. When Ministers are promised such incredible growth while at the same time being able to significantly increase catches it is no surprise that they gambled. A wiser decision would have been to follow the Commission proposal and then reevaluate later in the year once more data was available that would confirm the scientists’ assumptions around recruitment and mean-weight-at-age. As they say in Luxembourg, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Catch of the Day – September 2025
Nieuws over eerlijke visserij, gezonde zeeën en levendige vissersgemeenschappen
2/9 Baltic Quota Proposals 2026: LIFE Calls for Fairer Burden-Sharing on Quota Cuts to Protect Small-Scale Fisheries
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. LIFE warns that the steepest cuts — salmon (-27%), western Baltic cod (-84%) and spring-spawning herring (-50%) — fall on the small-scale coastal sector, which makes up 92% of the fleet but is already struggling after a 36% fall in the value of catches between 2018 and 2022.
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’s plan risks undermining vulnerable small-scale fishers rather than addressing the true drivers of stock decline.
3/9 LIFE on the Panel at European Parliament Conference “Baltic Sea Bankruptcy”
On 3 September, LIFE took part in the European Parliament conference “Baltic Sea Bankruptcy – a changed climate, broken economy and ecosystem”, hosted by MEP Isabella Lövin, Vice-Chair of the SEArica Intergroup. The event brought together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to discuss how climate change, ecosystem collapse and flawed fisheries management are undermining the Baltic’s resilience.
LIFE’s 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’s 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.
9/9 LIFE at the Economist’s World Ocean Summit Europe
On 9 September, LIFE Senior Advisor Jeremy Percy attended the World Ocean Summit Europe in Cascais, Portugal, convened by the Economist Impact’s 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’s role in future ocean governance and the sustainable blue economy.
In a forum dominated by discussions on technology, mega funds, investment returns and the broader “blue economy,” 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.
18-19/9 “LIFE President Gwen Pennarun Brings Small-Scale Fishers’ Voice to Les Assises de la Pêche et de la Mer”
On 18–19 September, LIFE President Gwen Pennarun took part in the 15th edition of Les Assises de la Pêche et de la Mer in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France’s 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.
Gwen Pennarun used the occasion to underline LIFE’s concerns about the latest ICES assessments for sea bass, which appear far removed from fishers’ observations. He also raised alarm over the recent CRPM deliberation on “four-panel bottom trawls,” 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’s 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 — and the future of those training to join the sector — were central to the discussions.
23/9 PECH Committee Challenges New EU Budget Proposal, and the €2bn Reserved for Fisheries
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 “National and Regional Partnership Plans” (NRPP), where the minimum amount reserved for fisheries is stated to be €2 billion over the 7 year period.
The proposal came under fire from MEPs across the political spectrum, who criticised it as a drastic reduction compared to the € 6 billion under the current EMFAF. Several MEPs also criticised the NRPP approach as “renationalising the CFP”. Despite assurances that €2 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.
Director Stylianos Mitolidis (DG MARE) clarified that the new budget shifts from “prescribed eligibility” to a “needs and performance” basis, applying the principle of “do no harm.” 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.
Interventions by MEPs Isabella Lövin, Luke Ming Flanagan, and Thomas Bajada highlighted broader concerns. Lövin drew attention to the dire state of EU seas — from warming Mediterranean waters to the crisis in the Baltic — 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.
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.
For a deeper, more detailed LIFE analysis of the proposed funding shift, including how small-scale fisheries might fare under the new architecture, read our dedicated article.
Other News
African Artisanal Fishers Commended by FAO for Contribution to Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems
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.
Small-scale Fisheries Feature Big in Irish Sea Fisheries Board Annual Report, but Present Several Paradoxes
The report highlights that the SSF sector, comprising all vessels under 12 meters regardless of gear type, represents the numerical heart of Irish fishing with 1,164 active vessels – 84% of the total active fleet. These predominantly family-owned operations, scattered along Ireland’s extensive coastline, serve as economic anchors for remote coastal communities where alternative employment opportunities remain scarce.
Despite representing just 7% of the fleet’s 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 – 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.
One of the SSF sector’s 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 – a stark contrast to the 1,100+ litres required by larger demersal trawlers.
In 2023 the sector experienced an 11% decline in revenue and a 9% drop in Gross Value Added (GVA) compared to 2022. However, it simultaneously achieved a spectacular 180% increase in gross profit to €10.9 million.
The high proportion of unpaid labour in SSF operations – 41% of vessels reported having at least one unpaid male worker – 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.
Planetary Health Check 2025: 7 out of 9 Critical Earth System Boundaries have been Breached
The nine boundaries together form Earth’s operating system, the interconnected life-support processes that must stay within safe limits to keep humanity safe and the natural world resilient. Scientists monitor these boundaries through key measures, much like vital signs in a health check, to track the planet’s condition. The findings point to accelerating deterioration and growing risk of irreversible change, including a higher risk of tipping points.
In 2025, scientists warn that yet another “planetary boundary,” ocean acidification, has been crossed.
Findings of the European Parliament Study on the Baltic Multiannual Plan: Critical Status of Key Fish Stocks
On September 4, the findings of the study commissioned by the EP on the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward were presented. The study reveals “that four of the seven Baltic fish stocks managed under the MAP—both 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)—are critically endangered, with spawning stock biomass far below the limit under which the reproductive capacity of fish population is impaired (Blim)”. It concludes that “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."
Komt eraan
13-19/10 Brussels, Belgium – Ocean week 2025 – A week of debates, exhibitions and other events to celebrate Europe’s seas and explore how to rebuild their abundance. Events include:
- 14/10 in the EP The next MFF: Rethinking EU funding for a healthy ocean future (LIFE Policy Advisor Brian O’Riordan on the panel)
- 15/10 in the EP: Community Engagement in MPA Designation and Management
14/10 Ljubljana, Slovenia. MedAC Focus Group on Small-Scale Fisheries meeting. Registration by 7 October .
27-28/10 Brussels, Belgium – The EU Council will make the final decision on Baltic Sea fishing quotas for the year 2026
Kleinschalige visserij en de nieuwe EU-begroting: Vaarwel EMFAF, hallo NRPF
What’s in a Name? The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same.
By Brian O’Riordan, LIFE Policy Adviser
What’s in a name? In the recently announced EU budget for the next period – the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028 to 2034 – fisheries funding under the EMFAF has been subsumed into the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF) worth an eyewatering Euros 865 billion. Within the NRPF, 2 billion Euros has been “ringfenced (as a minimum) for fisheries”, says Commission President, von der Leyen. In addition to the 2 billion, fisheries interests will be able to apply for sectoral support (including for modernisation, decarbonisation, fleet renewal, fish marketing, fisheries regeneration) under the NRPF.
The more things change, the more they remain the same, and it is still far from clear how this huge readjustment could help small-scale fisheries (SSF). In this piece, we take a preliminary look at these new arrangements, and what needs to be done for them to make the difference needed to bring SSF back from the brink, and to support the sector into the future so that it can realise its full potential in the fight to restore Europe’s declining seas.
As for the Common Fisheries Policy, so for the funding of fisheries: small-scale fisheries are a forgotten fleet, a policy outlier – and have been for the past 4 decades. Will the new policies in the pipeline – the Ocean Act and the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) for sectoral support – change the status quo? Both the Ocean Pact (the precursor of the Ocean Act) and the EC proposal for sectoral support for the next period, make small-scale fisheries a priority. This is to be welcomed.
For LIFE, bringing small-scale fisheries back to the centre of fisheries policies requires making fishing fair through a differentiated approach. Such an approach must take into account the special and different characteristics of the small-scale fleet – that set it apart socially, economically and environmentally, and which could make it a game changer for Europe’s troubled seas. To achieve this, LIFE is calling on the Commission and European decision takers to “Make Fishing Fair”. In this endeavour, sectorial support is key to making fishing fair, alongside fair access to resources and fair access to markets.
LIFE contends that fair access to sectoral support for all fleet segments should be based on economic, social and environmental considerations (i.e. giving priority those who fish in the most sustainable way and who provide the greatest benefits to society). In a nutshell, fuel subsidies and financial support need to be shifted away from high-polluting, high impacting vessels towards initiatives that support environmentally friendly and socio-economically beneficial fishing.
We await with anticipation some clarity on how the new funding mechanisms included in the new budget for the next 7-year period, 2028-34, will work. In particular, what special mechanisms and safeguards will be included to ensure that the next EU Budget will work for small-scale fisheries, where such issues as generational renewal, fleet decarbonisation, and viability are ever more pressing?
The New EU Budget – the Multiannual Funding Framework (MFF): EMFAF disappears into the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF)
The so-called Multiannual Funding Framework (MFF – the EU’s Budget) has been given a massive shake up by the European Commission, combining many of the existing financial mechanisms – including the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund, and the fund for Rural Development – into the European Economic, Territorial, Social, Rural and Maritime Sustainable Prosperity and Security Fund.
In her Statement on July 16, Commission President von der Leyen outlined 5 key areas of the new MFF: Firstly, “investing in people, Member States and regions, National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) worth EUR 865 billion, will be the foundation for investment and reform. At their heart remain cohesion and agriculture”. Von de Leyen stated EUR 300 billion will be safeguarded for farmers’ income support, and “on Fisheries, EUR 2 billion are ringfenced as a minimum”, she said.
For his part, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis stated that: “fisheries and aquaculture producers will remain the lifeblood of Europe’s coastal communities and economies.”
He went on the reassure that fisheries and ocean related policies would be well reflected in the 3 main building blocks of the new MFF – the National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF worth EUR 453 billion), the European Competitiveness Fund (EUR 409 billion to support investments in the Blue Economy, including fisheries), Horizon Europe (EUR 175 billion to support ocean observation, research and innovation), and Global Europe (EUR 200 billion to support Ocean Diplomacy and the fight against IUU).
In addition to the Euros 2 billion ringfenced “for supporting the CFP”, Kadis mentioned that an EU facility worth 63 billion would be available to fund data collection, fisheries control and digital solutions.
It may be worth reflecting that compared to the 6 billion of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the previous 7 year period, 2 billion is significant belt tightening. President of the European Parliament Pech Committee, Carmen Crespo Díaz, expressed concern about the CFP losing its identity and importance, stating that “Fisheries is a common EU policy. It must not lose its identity. Without a specific fund, there is no specific policy”.
However, Kadis did emphasise that “EU fishers and aquaculture producers can (also) have access to the big pot of EUR 453 bn, through the national plans (the NRPPs) submitted by EU Member States.” Obviously though, this depends on national and regional priorities and the demands from competing sectors.
Further insights are provided in the proposal published by the European Commission for a regulation in support of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the Ocean Pact and the EU’s maritime and aquaculture policy for the next 7-year funding period
The proposal provides a long list of the areas to be covered by the NRPF for the maritime sectors referred to, namely:
"the generational renewal and energy transition of fisheries, sustainable aquaculture activities, and processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, marine knowledge, skilling of blue economy related activities, the resilience of coastal communities and in particular of small-scale coastal fishing, the strengthening of international ocean governance and observation and enabling seas and ocean to be safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed"
Perhaps small-scale fishers can take heart that, in Recital 5, the new NRPF proposal for the combined maritime sectors states that: the particular needs of small-scale coastal fishing, and the contribution to environmental, economic and social sustainability of fishing operations, as defined in the CFP Regulation 1380/2013 should be addressed in the National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans, as set out in Article 22 of [NRP Regulation]. Also that Article 3.3 states that “for operations related to small-scale coastal fishing, Member States may grant a maximum 100 % aid intensity rate."
However, whatever the new instrument may be called, whatever the aid intensity rate, and whatever the nice wording used, unless the specificities of small-scale fisheries are taken into account, funding will continue to fall short.
Three key issues, long neglected in previous EU budgets, need particular attention: a) the lack of political will to support small-scale fisheries and the squeezing of the sector on many sides; b) the complexity of the process for applying for funds, and the heavy bureaucratic burdens imposed; and c) the need for projects to be completed before funding becomes available.
Unless these issues are addressed, and a dedicated delivery system for small-scale fisheries with clear priorities established, whatever name is given to sectoral support and whatever fine declarations are made, funds will not reach Europe’s forgotten fleet. The Blue Seeds initiative in partnership with WWF shows how pre-financing can work for delivering successful and sustainable solutions for small-scale fisheries projects. This could be one line to follow in the NRPPs for funding SSF.
Fleet Modernisation, Decarbonisation and Generational Renewal: more questions than answers
In previous EMFF and EMFAF proposals the Commission had set out conditions for fleet modernisation and renewal, with special provisions for small-scale fisheries (through National SSF Action Plans). Although generational renewal and energy transition are the first mentioned priorities of the NRPF, there is no mention of how this is to be achieved through funding of new vessels (for young fishers) or vessel conversions and retrofitting new engines and equipment (for decarbonisation).
An optimistic interpretation of this would be that the Commission has taken simplification to its logical conclusion and placed the entire responsibility on Member States for deciding what priority fleet renewal and decarbonisation should be given (compared to say agriculture and rural development priorities), and deciding the conditions under which new MFF funding can be allocated through the NRPPs to fisheries. This would mean that the Parliament and the Council will no longer have a role to revise the proposals, but that each Member State will be free to decide on its own framework and priorities.
A more pessimistic view would see this as a further marginalisation of fisheries, with a drastically reduced allocation of funding, in a context of spatial squeezing from more economically and politically powerful Blue Economy sectors, and with aquaculture and as yet ill defined “Blue Food” being prioritised as the future for food to be produced from the sea.
Clarity is therefore needed on what overarching conditions will be applied at EU level, other than the need to be WTO compliant, and with any new builds, modernisation and vessel conversions requiring that national capacity ceilings are respected.
All this needs to be placed in the context of a system for measuring and reporting fleet capacity that is not fit for purpose, rife with misreporting and engine certification fraud, with significant undocumented overcapacity exacerbating overfishing. The current system based on GT and kW is long overdue for reform.
We need a new fit-for-purpose system that can differentiate between fishing capacity that causes overfishing, and capacity that is needed to provide decent working conditions. Such a system also needs to enable the EU vessel fleet to modernise and to incorporate technical solutions for decarbonisation without penalties.
The New European Finding Landscape under the MFF
Any Questions?
The EC has just published a “Q&A” on the new 2028-2034 budget proposal for fisheries, aquaculture and ocean-related activities.
It explains that the goal of the redesign of the MFF for fisheries, aquaculture, maritime and ocean related policies is to reduce fragmentation, better align funding with national and regional priorities, and enable faster budget reallocation in response to crises and exceptional events. At the same time, the proposal aims to grant more flexibility to Member States to better address their needs and priorities.
It highlights that the NRPF can be used to make investments in rural and coastal areas, community-led local development (CLLD), smart specialisation strategies, and support for generational renewal in the fishery and aquaculture sector.
It explains that NRPPs can allocate resources to energy transition measures, and clarifies that: the Competitiveness Fund is explicitly designed to back decarbonisation and innovation – for example modernising vessels, port electrification, green shipbuilding, and blue tech.
It highlights that any fleet support must comply with WTO fisheries subsidies rules and CFP objectives.
What makes small scale fisheries a potential game changer?
- High socio-economic significance:70% of the EU fleet by number, 50% of the seagoing jobs, 19% by value of all EU catches; providing high quality, catch of the day fresh fish; representing an invaluable repository of local traditional and experiential knowledge of marine ecosystems, oceanography and meteorology;
- Low environmental impact: 5% of EU catches by volume, 10% of the fishing capacity, measured by GT.
- Low carbon food production, low carbon livelihood generation; declining use of fossil fuels, 35 litres per day/ 38 Euros per day; fossil fuel consumption of SSF a drop in the ocean compared to other sectors (like maritime transport).
What are the specificities of small-scale fisheries that require a differentiated approach?
- Small-scale fishing is a traditional way of life for many coastal dwellers, who are willing to sacrifice economic gain in order to live and work next to and on the sea, and to practice the profession of their forebears. Such activity may be part-time, seasonal and combined with other activities, providing enough income to get by on.
- SSF is based on micro or nano family based enterprises, the majority with business turnovers of 100.000 Euros or less, many engaged in seasonal or part-time employment, often reliant on unpaid or underpaid labour to make businesses viable, and with little capacity to absorb economic shocks;
- Small scale operations, with single operator or small crew on board, long hours, incurring significant opportunity costs by taking time out to attend external meetings, and with little surplus to invest in hiring representatives to act on the fishers’ behalf;
- Important source of revenue and socio-economic benefits in remote communities with few alternatives, with important links to tourism. A vibrant harbour full of small boats is an invaluable attraction for tourism, without which tourism would decline.
- Low volume, high value production, making producers highly vulnerable to market fluctuations and competition from high volume production and low cost imported products; and
- Limited geographical range and limited fishing opportunities makes the fishing activities especially vulnerable to overfishing and competition from larger scale fishing, climate change impacts, to invasive species (like marine algae) and to displacement from traditional fishing grounds through spatial squeezing.
Voorstellen van de Commissie voor de Baltische quota voor 2026: een stap in de goede richting, maar niet goed dat kleinschalige visserij zo'n zware last moet dragen.
LEVEN verwelkomt de Voorstel van de Commissie voor de vangstmogelijkheden in de Oostzee van volgend jaar, als een stap in de goede richting, gezien de grote waarschijnlijkheid dat het zal bijdragen aan grotere voorraden in de komende jaren. We betreuren echter dat zo Een groot deel van de herstellast wordt gelegd bij de kleinschalige kustvisserij (SSCF).
In de Oostzee zijn SSFC goed voor 92% van de vloot, 77% van de werkgelegenheid in de visserij en 22% van de aanlandingswaarde (WTECV AER 2024). De SSFC-vangsten zijn echter gedaald van 58 miljoen euro in 2018 tot 37 miljoen euro in 2022 (een daling met 36%), wat de kwetsbaarheid van de sector benadrukt.
Op dit moment bevinden de meeste van de belangrijkste commerciële bestanden: kabeljauw, zalm, sprot, westelijke haring en Botnische haring, zich op of zeer dicht bij het laagste biomassaniveau ooit. Het is noodzakelijk om de bestanden op te bouwen door de quota te verlagen en de factoren die bijdragen aan hun slechte toestand te beheren.
Het overgrote deel van de quotaverlagingen die de Commissie voorstelt, heeft betrekking op bestanden waarvan de kleinschalige vloot afhankelijk is. Bestanden met een hoge waarde zoals zalm (-27%), kabeljauw in het westelijk deel van de Oostzee (-84%) en lentepaaiende haring in het westelijk deel van de Oostzee (-50%) staan er allemaal slecht voor, maar zouden meer baat hebben bij aanvullende beheersmaatregelen dan bij alleen extreme quotaverlagingen.
De marginale milieuvoordelen van deze verlagingen wegen niet op tegen de sociaaleconomische voordelen van het handhaven van de quota dichter bij de TAC's voor 2025. Daarom bevelen we aan om meer te doen aan de hoge natuurlijke sterfte onder deze bestanden, door actief beheer van niet-vis-predatoren en het vergroten van de beschikbaarheid van prooidieren, en de quota te handhaven op een niveau dat vergelijkbaar is met dat van dit jaar.
Als de quota moeten worden verlaagd, zal dit effectiever en eerlijker zijn als de verlagingen worden gedragen door het pelagische segment, waarvan de schepen vismeel leveren dat voornamelijk bestemd is voor de niet-EU-markt. Deze schepen vangen aanzienlijke, maar niet gemeten hoeveelheden hoogwaardige commerciële soorten als bijvangst. Dit moet een halt worden toegeroepen en het toezicht moet worden verbeterd. De totale voorgestelde EU-TAC van 295 000 ton voor de Oostzee in 2026 is voor het overgrote deel geconcentreerd in het pelagische segment, waarbij meer dan 96% van het totale voorgestelde quotum bestaat uit haring en sprot. De quotaverlagingen moeten worden toegespitst op deze bestanden in plaats van op de kleinschalige vloot die gebruik maakt van passief vistuig en al te maken heeft met diverse sluitingen van de visserij en een lage toegang tot de bestanden.
Voor Bothnian haring de quotaverlaging al veel eerder had moeten plaatsvinden en verwelkomd door de lokale (en kleinschalige) visserijsector. Het bestand gaat al 30 jaar achteruit en een verlaging van de TAC met 62% is noodzakelijk om het risico op aantasting van de toekomstige reproductie te minimaliseren. Het voorstel van de Commissie zal waarschijnlijk ook de bijvangst van zalm van de industriële pelagische visserij en zorgen ervoor dat er meer prooidieren beschikbaar zijn voor de lokale zalmpopulaties.
Voor westelijke voorjaarspaaiende haring in de Oostzee in de deelsectoren 22-24 bevelen wij de Raad ten zeerste aan om de afwijking van de afgelopen jaren opnieuw in te voeren, waardoor EU-vissersvaartuigen met een lengte van minder dan 12 meter die passief vistuig gebruiken een quotum mogen opvissen, ondanks het ICES-advies voor nulvangsten. Het voorstel van de Commissie om de uitzondering voor de kleinschalige kustvisserij af te schaffen zou een aanfluiting zijn en mogelijk fatale economische gevolgen hebben voor dit kwetsbare maar vitale vlootsegment.
Met betrekking tot de sluitingen voor kabeljauw paaien roepen we de Raad op om artikel 7, lid 2, onder b) en c), en artikel 7, lid 4, onder b) en c), zodanig te wijzigen dat de dieptevrijstelling voor beide vlootsegmenten wordt geharmoniseerd. De huidige vrijstelling, die sommige vaartuigen toestaat om tot een diepte van 50 meter te vissen terwijl de vloot voor passief vistuig beperkt is tot 20 meter, wordt niet ondersteund door het wetenschappelijk advies.
Het voorstel van de Commissie is een verbetering ten opzichte van de afgelopen jaren. Wij roepen de ministers op om tijdens de Raad van oktober de herstelagenda van de Commissie te steunen en quota vast te stellen die de komende jaren grotere bestanden mogelijk maken en tegelijkertijd de lasten voor de kleinschalige visserij verlichten.
We nemen mensen aan!
Vacancy notice
Administrative and Financial Officer
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a pan-European platform uniting small-scale fishers (SSF) to achieve fair fisheries, healthy seas and vibrant communities. As an organisation of organisations from across Europe, LIFE strives to provide a dedicated voice for its members, supporting them to organise regionally, and building their capacity at national and local level both as small producers and as agents of change. LIFE is registered in Belgium as a not-for-profit association (asbl).
LIFE is seeking administrative and bookkeeping support to build its bookkeeping and financial reporting capacity, and to organise the administrative tasks of its Brussels Office and regional coordination.
The need has arisen due to LIFE’s increasing role in EU-level projects, with increasing requirements to coordinate a widening diversity of activities and to provide detailed financial and administrative reports in a timely fashion following strict guidelines. Over the coming period, the number of projects we engage in is likely to increase, with the requirement for administrative and financial support becoming increasingly important.
The post could be filled either by an outside agency providing the requisite services, or through the recruitment of an Administrative and Financial Officer as part of LIFE’s Brussels Office Team. We would like to explore both options.
Working environment and scope of work
LIFE Brussels Office is responsible for maintaining relations with the European institutions (Commission, Parliament etc), with LIFE’s members (associations of small-scale fishers), for coordinating activities, for project administration, bookkeeping and accounting, and for maintaining records. LIFE must comply with Belgian legislation governing not for profit associations (asbls), with the annual submission of financial and other reports to the Belgian authorities.
Since the Covid pandemic, LIFE has adopted a flexible approach to homeworking/ teletravail. Our headquarters is registered at an address in Brussels where we have co-working arrangements, as well as access to meeting rooms and other facilities as and when required.
The Administrative and Financial Officer/ external agency will work as part of a team helping to ensure the smooth running of LIFE’s activities. In particular he/she/they will provide administrative support to LIFE’s on-going work and to several new projects in which LIFE will be increasingly engaged in the coming period.
Fluency in English and French is essential; competence in other European languages is an asset.
An important part of the job will be to develop an efficient but simple system of bookkeeping and to monitor income and expenditure effectively against budgets. A good working knowledge of bookkeeping systems in general is essential. Familiarity with EU funded projects (Horizon, Interreg, EMFAF etc.) and the Belgian financial reporting requirements (Moniteur Belge/ MinFin) will be a distinct advantage.
Diversity information: LIFE is a relatively small organization, run by fishers for fishers. The small team of male and female staff includes LIFE’s two Brussels based staff (Policy Adviser and Senior Communications Officer), Baltic and North Sea Coordinator based in Sweden and Executive Secretary based in Barcelona.
Staff recruitment is based on experience, motivation, qualifications and proven ability.
LIFE does not discriminate by age, gender, race, religion, sexuality or socio-economic class.
More information about LIFE can be found on our website www.lifeplatform.eu .
BELANGRIJKSTE VERANTWOORDELIJKHEIDSGEBIEDEN
The post holder reports to the Executive Secretary, with the main areas of responsibility outlined below
Administratie/Secretariaat
(a) Develop a system/s to process orders and invoices, organise the payroll, maintain records of expenditure and monitor income and expenditure against budgets
(b) Maintain and develop LIFE’s bookkeeping, accounting and financial reporting systems to meet requirements of a multiplicity of donor/ project requirements
(c) Select appropriate accounting software packages, e.g. WinBooks, Odoo, etc., to monitor income and expenditure and to generate financial reports and a management dashboard
(d) Generate project reports as required according to specific deadlines of donors and grant bodies.
(e) Generate annual financial reports in line with the requirements of Belgium law (reporting to MinFin/ Moniteur Belge) from 2025.
(f) Support for daily administration, travel logistics, and event organisation
PERSOONSSPECIFICATIE
Hieronder staan de vereisten voor het uitoefenen van deze functie. De selectie van de kandidaten wordt gebaseerd op de mate waarin aan deze eisen wordt voldaan.
Administration/Secretarial/Accounts/Financials
∙ Proven experience in a related role
∙ Experience of working with minimal supervision
∙ Experience of and familiarity with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, etc) packages, bookkeeping software (Winbooks, Odoo etc), and video conferencing systems (Zoom, Teams etc)
∙ Experience of administering meetings, including minute taking
∙ Experience of the administrative and reporting needs of EU projects (Horizon, Interreg, EMFAF etc.)
∙ Experience/ knowledge of Belgian official account coding and bookkeeping requirements (Moniteur Belge/ MinFin)
∙ Experience of working with a similar organisation
Communicatie
∙ A high standard of written and oral communication skills
∙ Fluency in English and French (both written and oral)
∙ Fluency/ competence (written and oral) in other EU languages an asset
Persoonlijke Kwaliteiten
∙ A high degree of motivation and professionalism
∙ Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
∙ Respect for confidentiality at all times
∙ Attention to detail, especially when it comes to the bookkeeping tasks
∙ Ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels, and to take on leadership roles
∙ Ability to work unsupervised and with a high level of initiative
∙ Proactive, creative and flexible in finding solutions to problems
∙ Ability to remain calm and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure
∙ Absorb information and learn new skills quickly
Flexibiliteit en betrouwbaarheid
∙ Willingness to work unsocial hours occasionally if required
∙ Willingness to travel within Europe if required
PAY AND CONDITIONS
Based in Brussels, eligible to work under Belgian law and immediately available.
Salary package commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience:
Around Euros 2.500/ month (including holiday pay; allowances for: travel; meal vouchers; GSM + abonnement; use of laptop computer).
Remuneration to outside contractor according to services provided.
We offer flexible work options, allowing you to work from home or the office as best suits you.
For further information and applications contact: Brian O’Riordan, deputy@lifeplatform.eu
Please submit a cover letter and CV to deputy@lifeplatform.eu by the closing date for applications: October 3, 2025
Vangst van de dag - juli en augustus 2025
Nieuws over eerlijke visserij, gezonde zeeën en levendige vissersgemeenschappen
1/7 Versterking van visserij en maritieme ruimtelijke ordening: LIFE bij belangrijke EU-dialogen
LIFE heeft deelgenomen aan de derde bijeenkomst van de gezamenlijke speciale groep van de lidstaten over het EU-actieplan. Mariene ecosystemen beschermen en herstellen voor een duurzame en veerkrachtige visserij en de volgende dag in de Implementatiedialoog over maritieme ruimtelijke ordening (MRO) voorgezeten door Costas Kadis, commissaris voor Visserij en oceanen.
Het actieplan maakte deel uit van het pakket maatregelen, het "Pact voor visserij en oceanen", dat in februari 2023 werd gepubliceerd, en heeft tot doel de duurzaamheid en veerkracht van de visserij- en aquacultuursector van de EU te verbeteren. Het is bedoeld om te komen tot een consistentere uitvoering van het milieubeleid van de EU en het gemeenschappelijk visserijbeleid met zijn drie duurzaamheidspijlers - milieu, economie en sociale aspecten. De implementatiedialoog over MRO is de eerste van twee dergelijke dialogen die dit jaar worden georganiseerd. De tweede is gepland voor 24 november en zal gaan over kleinschalige visserij. Commissaris Kadis heeft de taak om elk jaar twee van dergelijke dialogen te organiseren.
Beleidsadviseur Brian O'Riordan, die LIFE vertegenwoordigde, vestigde de aandacht op de marginalisering van kleinschalige vissers (SSF) nu offshore-energie en aquacultuur aan prioriteit winnen. Hij waarschuwde ervoor oceanen niet te beschouwen als een onbeperkte ruimte die moet worden verdeeld onder concurrerende belangen, en benadrukte de cumulatieve effecten op ecosystemen en de noodzaak van duidelijke afwegingen tussen energie en voedselzekerheid.
Om deze uitdagingen aan te pakken, stelde LIFE voor om binnen de 12-mijlszone een visserijherstelzone in te stellen. Deze zone zou worden gewijd aan instandhoudings- en regeneratieprojecten, terwijl er ruimte zou worden gereserveerd voor kleinschalige visserij met een lage impact in het kader van gezamenlijk beheer. Een dergelijk initiatief zou helpen om de druk van grootschalige Blue Economy-sectoren te compenseren, mariene ecosystemen te versterken en een eerlijke toekomst voor SSF veilig te stellen.
10/7 Een participatief label voor kleinschalige visserij: LIFE's PGS-stuurgroep bijeen in Londen
Jeremy Percy, LIFE Senior Advisor, is belast met het leiden van een project dat door LIFE wordt ontwikkeld om een Participatief Garantiesysteem (PGS) op maat van Europese kleinschalige vissers op te zetten. Het PGS is bedoeld als een lokaal gericht kwaliteitsgarantiemechanisme dat duurzame, ethische visserijpraktijken bevordert en tegelijkertijd zorgt voor marktdifferentiatie en economische voordelen voor kleinschalige vissers. De PGS is ontwikkeld door IFOAM - de Organic & Regenerative Agriculture-beweging - voor kleinschalige biologische boeren, en dit project bouwt voort op dat succesvolle model en past het aan op SSF. Het project wordt ondersteund door Patagonia, het outdoorkledingbedrijf dat zaken doet om onze planeet te redden.
De Londense bijeenkomst bracht de stuurgroep van het project bijeen: Marta Cavallé, uitvoerend secretaris van LIFE, Brian O'Riordan, beleidsadviseur van LIFE, Caroline Bennett, oprichter van Sole of Discretion, en Jerry Percy, senior adviseur van LIFE. De vergadering werd belegd om 3 documenten te bespreken die Jerry de afgelopen maanden had opgesteld: een ontwerp van een businessplan, een stappenplan voor de implementatie en een gedetailleerde operationele strategie voor de implementatie van een PGS. Het project lijkt goed op schema te liggen en in goede handen te zijn.
14/7 Partnerschap voor energietransitie (ETP) 5e webinar
LIFE nam als coördinator kleinschalige visserij deel aan 2 webinars georganiseerd door het Energy Transition Partnership (ETP). De eerste was een gedachtewisseling met de Europese Commissie DG GROW en DG MOVE, om een beter inzicht te krijgen in hun energietransitiegerelateerde plannen en initiatieven, waaronder de "Europese industriële maritieme strategie" en de "EU 2025 Havens strategie en het Investeringsplan voor Duurzaam Transport (STIP)". De tweede workshop was gericht op een gedachtewisseling met de adviesraden. LIFE legde uit hoe kleinschalige visserij lage koolstofemissies heeft, maar in de toekomst met grote bedreigingen wordt geconfronteerd, waaronder beperkte hulpbronnen en een lage levensvatbaarheid, wat de noodzaak van een specifiek actieplan om hun plaats in de energietransitie veilig te stellen, onderstreept. De verschillende AC's presenteerden verschillende perspectieven op de Routekaart en behandelden de Routekaart per sector. Met name NWWAC en MEDAC trokken de waarde van het onderscheid tussen kleinschalige en grootschalige visserij in twijfel. Ze wezen erop dat veel aanbevelingen elkaar overlappen en dat de definities onduidelijk blijven..
17/7 LIFE Raad van Bestuur evalueert beleid en strategische prioriteiten
LIFE riep zijn Raad van Bestuur bijeen om een brede waaier aan beleids- en organisatorische aangelegenheden te bespreken. De vergadering begon met updates over het Oceaanpact, de VN-Oceaanconferentie en andere recente en komende beleidsgerelateerde gebeurtenissen. Vervolgens bespraken de leden de ontwikkelingen rond de Deense visserijwet, waarbij lering wordt getrokken uit het wetgevingsproces.
Er werd gesproken over de strategische aanpak van het standpunt van LIFE ten aanzien van de lopende evaluatie van het gemeenschappelijk visserijbeleid (GVB). Het bestuur boog zich ook over nieuwe lidmaatschapsaanvragen en sloot af met updates over financiële zaken.
Deze bijeenkomst onderstreepte de inzet van LIFE om het visserijbeleid op zowel nationaal als Europees niveau vorm te geven en tegelijkertijd zijn organisatorische basis te versterken.
18/7 LIFE en partners benadrukken de noodzaak om het wetenschappelijk advies voor de visserij in de EU en het VK te hervormen
LIFE heeft samen met 29 organisaties een briefing bekrachtigd waarin belangrijke tekortkomingen in het wetenschappelijk advies voor het visserijbeheer van de EU en het VK aan de kaak worden gesteld. Het huidige systeem, geleid door ICES, gaat vaak voorbij aan wettelijke verplichtingen en duurzaamheidsdoelen, waardoor vissers met krimpende quota blijven zitten en het risico lopen op verdere sluitingen. De briefing roept op tot voorzorgsgericht, ecosysteemgebaseerd advies dat het herstel van visbestanden garandeert, mariene ecosystemen beschermt en veerkracht opbouwt tegen klimaatverandering. De briefing werd gepresenteerd tijdens een bijeenkomst met DG Mare van de Europese Commissie en werd besproken door LIFE, NGO's en beleidsmakers. Het draagt bij aan een breder wetenschappelijk debat, waarbij recent onderzoek een "systemisch falen" in het visserijbeheer van de EU beschrijft.
22/8 LIFE roept Zweedse regering op ongelijkheden in EU-regels visserijcontrole aan te pakken
LIFE heeft de Zweedse regering opgeroepen, als voorzitter van Baltfish, om een gezamenlijke aanbeveling op te stellen voor monitoring op basis van eDNA om een eerlijk en transparant visserijbeheer te garanderen.
Volgens de EU-visserijcontroleverordening van 2024 moeten kleinschalige vissers vangsten melden binnen strikte marges van 10% (20% in de Oostzee). Ondertussen zijn grote industriële schepen die gemengde vangsten aanlanden voor vismeelfabrieken vrijgesteld van rapportage als ze zeven "in de lijst opgenomen havens" gebruiken (zes in Denemarken, één in Letland).
Dit systeem straft oneerlijk kleinschalige vloten die zich richten op vis voor menselijke consumptie en bevoordeelt exploitanten met grote volumes, waardoor duurzaamheid en verantwoordingsplicht worden ondermijnd.
Pers, rapporten en andere interessante lectuur
PECH Commissie Onderzoek: [Publicatie] Het meerjarenplan voor de Oostzee. Een ander beheer nodig
FAO nieuwsbrief SSF-richtlijnen - UNOC3: Wanneer de stem van kleinschalige vissers wereldwijd weerklinkt
Verslag van de workshop in Sri Lanka, februari 2025: Versterking van samenwerking en capaciteitsopbouw in kleinschalige visserij, 24-26 februari, 2025
Nieuw visserijwetsvoorstel in Denemarken: voorstel om een verboden zone voor trawlers in te stellen in kustgebieden https://lifeplatform.eu/denmark-charts-a-new-course-quota-security-for-coastal-fishers-gains-ground/
Plastic vervuiling en de dreiging van het verschepen van plastic pellets: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/12/nurdles-kerala-india-microplastic-pellets-pollution-fishing-environment-law
Komt eraan
9/9 Brussel, België - Parlement / SEARICA: Faillissement van de Oostzee - een veranderd klimaat, een kapotte economie en een kapot ecosysteem
9/9 Cascais, Portugal - Wereldoceaanconferentie: dialoog over verschillende onderwerpen, waaronder veerkracht van kustgebieden, diepzeemijnbouw, nationale veiligheid en defensie, mariene biodiversiteit en oceaantechnologie.
23/24/9 Nyborg, Denemarken - Conferentie Deens EU-voorzitterschap over de Horizon Europe missie "Herstel onze oceanen en wateren".
30/9 Stockholm, Zweden - Onze Baltische ministerconferentie
LIFE richt zich tot commissaris Kadis met betrekking tot artikel 17 Vademecum
A letter has been addressed to Commissioner Costas Kadis regarding the upcoming publication of the Vademecum on Article 17. LIFE regards this as a crucial opportunity to make fishing fairer by providing guidance on how to apply Article 17 in the spirit of the law, as outlined in Recital 33 of the CFP.
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