Vangst van de dag – Juli en Augustus 2026
Nieuws over eerlijke visserij, gezonde zeeën en levendige vissersgemeenschappen
JOIN US on 30 September in Brussels!
Rethink Fisheries Day – Pathways for a Just Transition! De Low Impact Fishers of Europe and Seas At Risk are organising this one-day event bringing together policymakers, fishers, scientists, civil society organisations and practitioners to explore practical pathways towards fair, low-impact and ecosystem-based fisheries in Europe. Registreer hier!
29/6-3/7 LIFE Strategy Meeting in the Netherlands
The LIFE team spent an intensive and inspiring week in the fishing village of Den Oever, in the Netherlands. With the expert guidance of Stone Soup Consulting, an international consultancy specialising in strategy, organisational development and social impact, the team reflected on LIFE’s future direction, strengthened its internal strategy and shaped its priorities for the years ahead. Bringing colleagues together in person created valuable space to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives and align around a shared vision for advancing LIFE’s mission to support its members.
The week also included a meeting with the North Sea Passive Fisheries Foundation, which represents and supports the Dutch passive fishing sector, and the Pot Fishing Agency, a Den Oever-based company that develops innovative fishing and processing technologies and conducts fisheries research. Discussions focused on fisheries innovation, shared ambitions and opportunities for closer collaboration to strengthen the future of small-scale and low-impact fishing.
7-8/7 EU Ocean Act Conference 2026 in Wexford, Ireland
Hosted by Ireland’s Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the EU Ocean Act Conference coincided with the opening days of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and offered an early indication of the new Presidency’s position and priorities on ocean governance. The event brought together government representatives, EU officials, policymakers, researchers and maritime stakeholders to discuss the forthcoming European Ocean Act and the wider future for EU blue economy sectors.
LIFE Member of the Board and IIMRO representative Séamus Bonner attended the event. From a small-scale fisheries perspective, Minister Dooley’s opening message that “communities have to be at the core” and recognition of our interdependence in ocean governance was welcomed. LIFE and IIMRO stress that this must translate into meaningful participation and concrete measures for small-scale fisheries, including recognition of customary fishing areas, fair access under CFP Article 17, traditional ecological knowledge, generational renewal, and transparent marine spatial planning that enables coexistence with offshore renewables and the marine protected area legislation, which was announced at the conference.
9/7 European Parliament debates the future of EU fisheries policy
The European Parliament held a plenary debate in Strasbourg on the future of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). MEPs questioned EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis about the outlook for the policy and the measures needed to support the sector.
The discussion addressed several issues of particular importance to small-scale fishers, including fleet renewal and decarbonisation, administrative simplification, generational renewal and the economic resilience of fishing communities. No resolution was adopted in July; the debate served as preparation for a parliamentary resolution expected to be put to a vote during the plenary session of 14–17 September.
The September resolution is expected to establish Parliament’s political position following the Commission’s recent evaluation of the CFP. It could help shape the debate on any subsequent reform of the CFP, its implementation and future EU funding for fisheries. Although non-binding, the resolution will provide an important indication of Parliament’s priorities for the future of EU fisheries and of the place accorded to small-scale fishers within that future.
16/07 LIFE submits its opinion on the Ocean Act
LIFE submitted its input to the public consultation launched by the European Commission to help shape the European Ocean Act, a key legislative proposal under the European Ocean Pact, set for adoption in 2026. The Ocean Act aims to strengthen ocean governance in the EU, serving as a single reference point for all economic, climate, environmental, and social targets to protect and sustainably use ocean resources.
In its response, LIFE highlighted its main priorities and key proposals. In particular, the upcoming Ocean Act offers an opportunity to establish a legislative framework that translates the Ocean Pact’s commitment to prioritising small-scale fisheries (SSF) into concrete action. LIFE’s submission therefore calls for the new legislation to include: a binding plan of action for SSF; preferential access and regenerative fishery areas; fair allocation of fishing opportunities and fostering a just transition to low-impact fishing; comanagement and inclusive governance; prioritising fishing for direct human consumption over reduction fisheries; social dimension and generational renewal and establishing a climate-adaptive Maritime Spatial Planning.
21/7 LIFE General Assembly: advocacy priorities and organisational development
The LIFE team briefed members on recent advocacy developments, and the organisation’s 2025 financial statements were presented and approved. In particular, members discussed the Fisheries Control Regulation and the challenges its implementation poses for the small-scale fisheries sector; the Ocean Act consultation and the need to strengthen protections for small-scale fisheries within the 12-nautical-mile coastal zone; and the growing threat posed by invasive species. A presentation by LIFE Project Officer Aksel Ydren on the round goby prompted participants to share experiences and examples from across Europe. The final thematic session examined the development of LIFE’s Youth Network and opportunities to strengthen the participation of younger fishers in the organisation and the wider sector. The meeting provided an important opportunity for LIFE members to exchange knowledge, guide the organisation’s advocacy and reinforce its internal governance.
23/7 LIFE visits Cooperativa San Leopoldo in Tuscany
LIFE team member Claudia Orlandini visited LIFE Italian members from Cooperativa San Leopoldo on the Tuscan coast. The visit included a tour of the cooperative’s processing unit, where small volumes of catch are transformed into high-quality, value-added products. These include tuna, grey mullet and clams preserved in oil or prepared in vacuum-packed formats. This approach enables the cooperative to make better use of lower-volume products while increasing their value and extending their shelf life.
Cooperativa San Leopoldo also works with scientific institutes to develop and test new technologies for farming innovative marine species using natural feeding systems, like plankton. The visit offered a valuable insight into how cooperation, local processing and scientific research can create new opportunities for small-scale fishing communities.
Visit to Finland
LIFE attended a study visit organised by the Finnish fishers’ association Österbottens Fiskareförbund, bringing together coastal fishers from Sweden and Finland. As part of the program, participants visited fisher Karl-Åke Wallin, Chairman of the Producer Organisation Kustfiskarna Bottenhavet, a member organisation of LIFE. During the visit, LIFE’s Aksel Ydrén presented the round goby project, sharing insights on how to tackle and utilise this invasive species and discussed cross-border collaboration between coastal fishers in Sweden and Finland.
Komt eraan:
3-6/9 SSF Summit in Rome, Italy – A LIFE delegation will attend the FAO Small-Scale Fisheries Summit, bringing together representatives of small-scale fishing communities and supporting organisations to exchange experiences, identify shared priorities and strengthen international cooperation. The main focus will be the implementation of the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.
19/9 Võiste, Estonia – As a Seaglow consortium member, LIFE will visit Võiste, Estonia, to attend the local fisheries fair and introduce Seaglow to the local community.
23-24/9 Bilbao, Spain – LIFE President Gwen Pennarun will participate in a workshop organised by EU-funded research project INSPIRI bringing stakeholders together to develop shared visions for a sustainable and restored Bay of Biscay and Atlantic Ocean.
28-9/2-10 Ocean week, Brussels – A week of initiatives and events organised by Brussels Blue NGOs and other stakeholders, placing a healthy ocean at the heart of Europe’s future resilience, blue economy and environmental sustainability.
In de pers
Octopus called in to fight invasive blue crab
Community Catch certifies first fishery
French tuna quota controversy in Mediterranean
Fish must be put first over fishermen, says Gwen Pennarun
In UK MMO launches new website to update on octopus bloom
Irish Inshore Fishers Protest Unfair Allocation
Irish Presidency Highlights Need for Change
European Parliament Publishes New Report on Article 17
