We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.
Customize Consent Preferences
We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.
The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ...
Always Active
Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.
No cookies to display.
Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.
No cookies to display.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
No cookies to display.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
No cookies to display.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.
The European Commission’s Control Regulation of 22 November 2023 is intended to tighten fisheries management by enforcing stricter catch reporting. To this end, Article 14, dealing with fishing logbook completion, encourages selectivity by including a Margin of Tolerance rule, requiring vessels to report catches accurately within 10% per species. Previously, the Margin of Tolerance—the allowed discrepancy between reported and actual catch—was calculated as a percentage of the total catch. This meant that as long as the overall weight was close to reality, species-specific errors were tolerated.
On 24 May 2024, the Commission adopted an Implementing Act, without consulting Advisory Councils, that provides “a derogation from the existing margin of tolerance that may be granted for unsorted landings from small pelagic fisheries, industrial fisheries, and tropical tuna purse seine fisheries” in certain designated Listed Ports, thus weakening the rule and raising serious concerns about misreporting, fairness, compliance, and the potential for overfishing.
The Loophole: Exemptions for Listed Ports
Despite the stricter selectivity rule established in the Control Regulation, through the Implementing Act vessels landing at specially designated Listed Ports will receive a derogation, without any additional measures to ensure accurate species-level reporting. According to DG Mare, nine applications for Listed Port status have been submitted by Member States, but the locations remain unknown.
This exemption disproportionately benefits large vessels landing high-volume, low-value catches—particularly those in the fishmeal sector—allowing them to bypass stricter reporting requirements. This unfair system places other segments of the fleet at a competitive disadvantage and raises serious concerns about transparency and sustainability, highlighting the need for a level playing field in the industry.
A Repeat of the Landing Obligation Failure?
The situation bears striking similarities to the failed implementation of the Landing Obligation (LO), which was meant to eliminate the discarding of unwanted fish at sea. To encourage compliance, quotas were increased based on the assumption that all fish would be landed. However, in reality, enforcement was weak, and many vessels continued discarding fish, leading to artificially inflated quotas and worsening fish stock depletion.
A similar dynamic is at play with the new Margin of Tolerance rule. While the Commission assumes that Listed Ports will uphold a “gold standard” of monitoring—possibly through CCTV and other measures—there is little evidence to suggest this will be enforced effectively. Instead, the exemption will allow misreporting to continue unchecked.
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
The lack of transparency surrounding the Listed Ports exemption raises major concerns. Why are certain ports granted this status? What monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure compliance? There are already considerable differences in sampling plans between Member States and without additional safeguards, this exemption threatens to undermine the very purpose of the new regulation, allowing industrial-scale operations to exploit the system while other fishers are left operating under stricter rules.
If the Commission is serious about improving fisheries control, it must address these inconsistencies. That means:
Releasing the list of Listed Ports and the criteria used to select them.
Ensuring additional safeguards are in place to prevent species misreporting.
Enforcing mechanisms that aim to encourage selectivity rather than favour misreporting
Without these measures, the new Margin of Tolerance rule risks being another well-intended but poorly executed regulation that ultimately fails to protect fish stocks and ensure a level playing field for all fishers.
Conclusion
The European Commission has taken one step forward with stricter catch reporting rules, but two steps back by creating an exemption that weakens its effectiveness. Rushing through a derogation aimed at vessels with vast, unsorted mixed catches just a number of months after the Control Regulation entered into force is difficult to understand, particularly in the context where advances in eDNA mean that we can accurately detail the species composition of these vessels at a fraction of the cost of other control methods. The Commission has however chosen to give preferential treatment to these vessels, even though they largely supply and export fishmeal to the non-EU market.
Unless immediate action is taken to address this loophole, the regulation could repeat past mistakes by undermining accurate catch reporting, leading to further mismanagement of fish stocks and unfair advantages for large-scale industrial fishers. We advocate for greater transparency and enforcement to prevent historic errors from repeating themselves.
Wiadomości o uczciwym rybołówstwie, zdrowych morzach i tętniących życiem społecznościach rybackich
COMING UP: LIFE and Blue Ventures, with the support of MEPs Isabella Lövin (the Greens/EFA), Emma Fourreau, and Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left), are organizing the event “Make Fishing Fair: Unlocking Art. 17 for a Just Fishing Future”on March 25th from 12:00 to 14:30 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event will feature guest speakers, including LIFE members from France, Ireland, and Sweden, MEPs Paulo di Nascimento Cabral (EPP) and Karin Karlsbro (Renew) and representatives from the EU Commission/DG Mare D3 unit. Register here.
LIFE’s Newly elected President Gwen Pennarun takes the floor at the High-level “Ocean Pact” meeting with Commissioner Kadis
This event followed two intensive days at the European Parliament, where LIFE staff and Gwen Pennarun engaged with MEPs and attended the PECH Committee meeting to advocate for low-impact small-scale fisheries. Discussions covered small-scale fisheries in the EU, Article 17, and upcoming EU and international fisheries initiatives. Some MEPs raised concerns about the need for a binding framework for fair quota allocation, the depletion of Baltic stocks due to large-scale interests, and the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into fisheries management. LIFE remains committed to ensuring small-scale fishers have a strong voice in EU decision-making.
Exchange on Small-Scale Fisheries in the EU and Article 17 in the European Parliament
19/2 – The Pech Committee of the European Parliament had an exchange with DG Mare on small-scale fisheries in the EU and Article 17 of the CFP basic Regulation. Key takeaways: the Commission does not see a clear role to play in implementing Article 17, but are committed to publishing a Vademecum on Article 17 and driving improvements so long as their role allows for that. Several MEPs commented on the need for a new definition of SSF – including tonnage and size beyond vessel length. One MEP warned about putting SSF against the larger scale sector (LSF) in obtaining quota, whilst another highlighted that Article 17 looked fine on paper, but the reality was that LSF had concentrated most of the quota and there was none available to transfer to SSF. There were also calls for “proper and fair” quota allocation and access to EMFAF funding for SSF from MEPs.
Building Global Alliances: LIFE Executive Secretary travels to Sri Lanka
24-26/2 – LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, was invited to attend the International Workshop “Strengthening Collaboration and Capacity-Building in Small-scale Fisheries”, held in Sri Lanka and organised by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF). With more than 60 participants from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, the workshop was a great opportunity to strengthen collaborations and alliances between the SSF movements across the globe and draft a strategy to enhance capacity and support. On the first day, Marta Cavallé presented to the global audience the results of the collective European Regional YAFA workshop held in 2022 with ICSF and Mulleres Salgadas. In particular, she highlighted the main challenges for the European SSF sector and the related final statement and call to action. The statement laid the groundwork for broader reflection on collective action within the global SSF movement and highlighted shared goals.
Advancing the Energy Transition in Small-Scale Fisheries: Insights from the First Working Group Meeting
10/2 – The first meeting of the Working Group for SSF within the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) aimed to introduce the European Commission Initiative to the group, familiarize participants with one another, and conduct an initial brainstorming session on the Energy Transition. Coordinated by LIFE, this meeting marked the first in a series of four, designed to provide concrete recommendations to the European Commission for developing an actionable Energy Transition plan by early 2026.
The meeting brought together 16 small-scale fishers and their representatives from 13 different countries, some of whom are actively engaged in projects and have experience in the field. It served as a platform to highlight key challenges and opportunities while beginning to identify the primary human, technical, financial, and regulatory barriers and enablers necessary for the SSF sector’s Energy Transition.
The next meeting, scheduled for March 27, will focus on technical and research gaps. Experts in the field, along with fishers already advancing case studies and solutions, will be invited to gain deeper insights into the current state of Energy Transition technologies in small-scale fisheries.
Multi-AC workshop on the Control Regulation
5/2 – LIFE participated in the NWWAC workshop on the Control Regulation and later sought clarification on two key points. The Commission discussed developing a catch reporting app, prompting requests for details on its design, functionality, trial locations, and implementation timeline. Clarification was also sought on listed ports receiving a margin of tolerance derogation. Questions focused on how these ports improve species composition data in unsorted mixed landings, the tools ensuring species catch weights remain within a 10% margin, and whether the Commission has compared these methods with modern control techniques like DNA testing.
LIFE Board of Directors Elects New President and Sets Future Priorities
12/2 – The LIFE Board of Directors met to elect a new President, as Christian Decugis stepped down after 7 years of leadership (since November 2018). Following discussions and a show of hands, Gwen Pennarun from Brittany, France, was elected, marking the start of a new chapter in LIFE’s advocacy for small-scale fishers.
The Board reviewed LIFE’s 2025 budget, with the staff presenting the key planned activities and underpinning financial resources available. Discussions then focused on priorities for the Xth Legislature, including LIFE’s position on the European Oceans Pact, a proposal for a Small-Scale Fisheries Advisory Council (SSF AC) and its potential role, and the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the pros and cons of its reform.
This meeting reinforced LIFE’s strategic direction, ensuring small-scale fishers remain at the heart of EU policy discussions.
Eurobarometer: Shifting Trends in Seafood Consumption Across Europe
Latest Eurobarometer report finds that seafood consumption in Europe has declined since 2021, with only one-third of respondents eating fishery and aquaculture products weekly—a 4% drop—while 15% never consume them at home.
Price is now the top factor in purchasing decisions (55%), overtaking product appearance. Economic pressures are driving a shift toward frozen and tinned products over fresh seafood. Coastal residents consume more fish and prefer wild-caught products, while landlocked consumers show less concern about production methods.
Labeling remains important, with 69% valuing the date of catch or harvest. However, interest in environmental labeling has declined by 8 percentage points.
For the first time, the survey examined seaweed and algae consumption. While not yet mainstream, two-thirds have tried algae products in the past year, mainly in sushi, with half enjoying the taste and one-third recognizing health benefits.
The Shocking Costs of Electrification
LIFE’s Senior Adviser, Jeremy Percy, attended a presentation of a fishing vessel electrification project. A key issue he highlights is the cost of converting existing fishing vessels from fossil fuel to battery power. Two major costs are administrative fees – around 15% of the total costs for the “red tape” required to obtain the necessary vessel certification and registration; and around 30% for labour – in this case, the time spent converting the boat by the fisher himself. Although he received a 60% grant, it did not cover either of these costs. On a positive note, our Senior Adviser commented that “much of the hardware costs are already coming down and the efficiency of electric motors, battery storage and solar panels is improving all the time.”
21 February 2025, Brussels – The following speech was delivered by LIFE President Gwen Pennarun at the High-Level Roundtable “Fisheries and Oceans Dialogue – Helping Design the European Oceans Pact,” organized by the European Commission’s DG MARE, in presence of Commissioner Costas Kadis and a number of decision-makers and stakeholders.
Madam Director-General, Mr. Commissioner,
First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of the 10,000 small-scale fishers that our association represents.
I am, above all, a fisherman, with more than 30 years of experience at sea. I am also the president of the Association of Line Fishers of the Pointe de Bretagne, one of the founders, and now the president of LIFE, the European platform for sustainable fishing.
Small-scale fishing is much more than a profession—it is a state of mind, a deep connection to the sea, and a way of safeguarding our future and our resources. As fishers, we invest in the future: we think about the generations to come, manage our resources sustainably, and impose measures on ourselves, such as biological rest periods, to ensure the longevity of our profession and the health of our oceans.
We depend on local resources, and in this sense, we play a crucial role as guardians of marine ecosystems. Today, the species that sustain our diverse small-scale fisheries have significantly declined, and even when stocks are abundant, as in the case of bluefin tuna, quota distribution remains opaque and unfair. There is an urgent need to improve resource management. Thanks to our traditional knowledge and deep connection to the sea, small-scale fishers often propose concrete and sustainable solutions. Unfortunately, our voices are too often ignored in decision-making forums. Take the example of pollack: we proposed conservation measures such as increasing the minimum catch size and halting fishing during the breeding season. Yet, these recommendations were not taken into account. Small-scale fishing deserves special attention and measures tailored to its specificities.
Without this, if resources are not preserved, our profession will become less attractive and will no longer offer a future for younger generations. This is a crucial point: the fishing of tomorrow depends on today’s youth. This is something we must seriously consider.
Fishing is also a vital social fabric: every job at sea creates four jobs on land, driving economic activity in our coastal communities across Europe. Our approach is different—closely connected to ecosystems, respectful of the oceans, and essential to the socio-economic fabric of our regions. In Brittany, it is an integral part of our identity, a strong maritime heritage shared by many other European regions where traditional fishing is deeply rooted in local culture.
Today, it is clear that small-scale fishing must be part of the solution and at the heart of the European Oceans Pact—for food security, for the sea, for local economies, for young people, for the future.
Let us support it.
Thank you.
FRENCH (original text)
Madame la Directrice Générale, Monsieur le Commissaire,
Tout d’abord, merci de me donner l’opportunité de m’exprimer au nom des 10 000 petits pêcheurs que notre association représente.
Je suis avant tout un pêcheur, depuis plus de 30 ans aujourd’hui. Je suis aussi président de l’association des ligneurs de la pointe de Bretagne et l’un des fondateurs, et maintenant, président de LIFE, la plateforme européenne pour la pêche durable.
La petite pêche, c’est bien plus qu’un métier, c’est un état d’esprit ; c’est un lien profond avec la mer, une manière de préserver notre avenir et nos ressources. En tant que pêcheurs, nous investissons dans le futur : nous pensons aux générations à venir et gérons durablement nos ressources et nous nous imposons des mesures, comme le repos biologique, afin de garantir la pérennité de notre métier et la santé des océans.
Nous dépendons des ressources locales, et à ce titre, nous jouons un rôle essentiel des gardiens des écosystèmes marins. Aujourd’hui, les espèces qui font vivre ces divers petits métiers se sont fortement dégradées et, quand bien même lorsque les stocks sont abondants comme c’est le cas du thon rouge, la répartition des quotas reste opaque et inéquitable. Il est urgent d’améliorer la gestion des ressources. Grâce à nos connaissances traditionnelles et à notre lien profond avec la mer. La petite pêche propose souvent des solutions concrètes et durables. Malheureusement, notre voix est trop souvent peu écoutée dans les forums de décisions. Prenons l’exemple du lieu jaune : Nous avons proposé des mesures de conservation, comme l’augmentation de la taille minimale de capture et l’arrêt de la pêche pendant la période de reproduction. Pourtant, ces recommandations n’ont pas été prises en compte. La petite pêche mérite une attention particulière et des mesures adaptées à ses spécificités.
Sans cela, si les ressources ne sont pas préservées, notre métier deviendra peu attractif et ne pourra plus offrir un avenir aux jeunes générations. Ceci est un point important, la pêche de demain c’est la jeunesse d’aujourd’hui. C’est aussi à cela qu’il faut réfléchir.
Mais la pêche, c’est aussi un tissu social vital : chaque emploi en mer en crée quatre à terre, dynamisant nos littoraux européens. Notre approche est différente : proche des écosystèmes, respectueuse des océans et essentielle au tissu socio-économique de nos régions. En Bretagne, cela fait partie de notre identité profonde, un héritage maritime fort, partagé par d’autres régions européennes où la pêche traditionnelle est une véritable racine culturelle.
Aujourd’hui, il est clair que la petite pêche doit faire partie des solutions et doit être au cœur du pacte européen pour les océans. Pour la sécurité alimentaire, pour la mer, pour l’économie locale, pour les jeunes, pour l’avenir.
Is battery/ electric power a suitable fuel choice for the fishing industry?
LIFE is coordinating the EU Support Group on the decarbonisation of small-scale coastal fisheries (SSCF) as part of the EC’s Energy Transition Partnership. According to Brian O’Riordan, LIFE’s Policy Advisor: “Decarbonisation of the fishing sector is to a certain extent a race against time, and currently costs represent an insurmountable barrier to most small-scale operators whose balance sheets bear witness to ever decreasing profitability. The prospects are challenging, especially given the need to either adapt or perish in the current policy environment.”
It is therefore inspiring to hear about the initiatives of small-scale fishers from across Europe who are over coming many difficulties to secure their futures. A particularly inspiring example from the UK is provided below.
Introduction:
The author of this piece, Jeremy Percy, former fisherman, founding Director and Senior Policy Adviser to the Low Impact Fishers of Europe, recently attended the presentation of a project to convert an inshore fishing vessel from diesel fuel to electricity. The project is the brainchild of Hans Unkles, an inshore fishermen from the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides who has converted a standard Cygnus 21 – a 6.5 metre loa GRP fishing vessel – from diesel to fully electric power.
With a target of net zero across Europe for all aspects of the economy in energy terms, consideration of fully electric driven fishing vessels is of particular relevance to the smaller scale fleet – given the few practical alternative energy solutions currently available.
At the time of writing, the costs of converting an existing vessel to electric power or a new build are a major constraint to development although costs will inevitably come down as initiatives become more widespread. Other constraints include the lack of off-the-shelf solutions, after sales support, and port infrastructure.
Another constraint is the marine equivalent of the ‘range anxiety’ in relation to terrestrial vehicles is exacerbated by the safety issues at sea and remains a limiting factor when compared to traditional power sources. On a good day [no headwinds or head seas] the project boat in question can achieve 47 miles in range and can get two short trips a week depending only on solar. The operator considers that maximum range would be 60 miles in benign conditions and 45 miles in rough waters although he hasn’t pushed the limits.
Even if conversions to electric power become more cost effective, shoreside charging infrastructure will undoubtedly remain a challenge for some time to come although many marinas have a 240v hook up available albeit at a significant cost [£0.70/Kw] when compared to domestic supply. The costs of using a marina rather than a local harbour or mooring can also be expensive.
It is clear that electric power is not practical for towed gears but has relevance for passive gear operations but is currently limited by range and the ability to maintain higher steaming speeds. The project vessel operator works only circa 60 pots [creels] for lobster and crab in a relatively confined area, giving a 3-day soak and two fishing trips per week. He also has access to shoreside charging in a marina close to his operating area.
The Project:It’ll Never Work – UK’s 1st Solar Powered Electric Fishing Boat
During an informative 2-hour presentation, Hans explained the entire process, including costs and the pros and cons of the project – details provided on this link
Hans is a boatbuilder by trade as well as a fisher. This is relevant in that he went above and beyond a ‘simple’ electric system installation in effectively rebuilding the boat, and this added significantly to the costs. I copy his costs below for information. The two costs highlighted reflect this, together with the interminable costs and challenges of acquiring approval from the Marine and Coastguard Agency [MCA] and subsequent registration. One would hope that both these items would reduce dramatically for future initiatives in this respect.
It is also clear that much of the hardware costs are already coming down and the efficiency of electric motors, battery storage and solar panels is improving all the time.
For the initial project, Hans received 60% grant funding that did not include construction or admin time [admin time included dealing with the authorities that was particularly time consuming]. Hans made the point that if he had contracted a boatyard to undertake the conversion, that too would have been grant aided but because he did the work himself, it wasn’t.
Aziprop motor and hardware………………£19,109.66
Epropulsion Batteries…………………..£20,419.81
Electric Hydraulic complete system……….£6,424.16
Bimble Solar…………………………..£1,172.50
Installation equipment………………….£10,295.25
Administration time…………………….£20,000.00
Construction time………………………£40,000.00
Original vessel value…………………..£20,000.00
Net…………………………………..£137,421.38
Funding………………………………-£34,865.87
Total…………………………………£102,555.51
The batteries are Lithium Ion Phosphate that do not suffer so much from the fire risks associated with other lithium based batteries and were agreed on with the MCA after considerable discussions. The batteries take 15 hours to recharge when connected to a land based charger and have a stated lifespan of 3000 charging cycles. Replacement costs are likely to be circa £20k and in the same life cycle, diesel costs would have equated to around £8k.
One important battery related issue is that in the event of problems, one cannot extinguish a lithium based fire and can only abandon ship.
There are effectively few additional running costs or maintenance [oil and filter changes etc] required. So far he has only had to replace a failed relay and seals for the pot hauler that is also electrically powered [a 10Kw motor derated to 4Kw].
What is readily apparent, and particularly noticeable in operation, is the almost complete silence of the power train, as well as of course no fumes.
Copied below are the income and expenditure profiles for his operations to date. Apart from potting for lobster and crab, he also dives for scallops.
As far as he is aware, his is the first fully licenced and registered electric fishing boat on the UK Register. He is aware of one fisher in Wales who uses a diesel engine to get to and from his gear but utilises a battery system for hauling. He is also following up on a company in Gloucestershire in the UK offering a ready to go basic electric vessel, based on a 19 or 21 foot hull for a surprising £60k [this would also need a licence and all the ancillary fishing equipment fitted] and with a Dutch fisher reported to be using a smaller open boat powered by electricity.
Conclusions:
Hans’s skills as both professional boatbuilder and fisherman has enabled him to undertake all the work himself. He should be applauded for taking such a big step but far more of the work would have been grant aided if he had contracted it out.
It is clear that the technology will improve and costs reduce over time but the latter is certainly prohibitive without significant grant aid at present
As he says, the setup favours his quite relaxed fishing operation and he has the benefit of reasonably sheltered waters for the most part and a local charging infrastructure.
In the event that significant grant support was available, this initiative would be a practical proposition for many smaller scale fishing operations. Costs will undoubtedly reduce and the efficiency of batteries, solar and engines improve but at present the system relies on shore-based charging facilities being available.
Thursday, 13 February 2025 – The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has elected Gwen Pennarun as new President of LIFE. Gwen, a longtime advocate for small-scale fishers, succeeds Christian Decugis, who has led LIFE with dedication and commitment, strengthening the organization’s voice across Europe and the wider Mediterranean.
A Life Dedicated to Small-Scale Fisheries
Gwen Pennarun has been a small-scale fisher for over 40 years and serves as President of the Brittany Handliners Association. His experience at the heart of French fishing communities and extensive knowledge of Atlantic fisheries has given him deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing low-impact fishers. Having previously served as Treasurer of LIFE, he has played a key role in the organization’s development and remains deeply committed to its mission of securing fair, sustainable, and equitable opportunities for small-scale fisheries across Europe.
Gwen’s leadership comes at a crucial time, as European small-scale fishers face increasing pressures from policy changes, environmental challenges, and competition with other sectors of the blue economy. His knowledge and passion will be invaluable in strengthening LIFE’s advocacy efforts, ensuring small-scale fishers have a strong voice in European fisheries policy.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Christian Decugis
As Gwen takes on this new role, LIFE extends its deepest gratitude to outgoing President Christian Decugis, representing the Prud’Homie of Saint-Raphaël. Christian has been an unwavering advocate for small-scale fishers, ensuring that their concerns are heard within different decision-making fora at both the Mediterranean and European levels. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing LIFE’s mission, and we hope that he will continue to engage with the organization and support its work in the future.
Looking Ahead
LIFE is committed to continuing its fight for the recognition and fair treatment of small-scale fishers in European policies. The organization will work towards strengthening fisheries governance, ensuring equitable access to resources, and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both fishers and marine ecosystems.
We congratulate Gwen Pennarun on his new role and thank Christian Decugis for his outstanding contribution. Together, we want to move forward in building a future where small-scale fishers and their communities can thrive.
Wiadomości o uczciwym rybołówstwie, zdrowych morzach i tętniących życiem społecznościach rybackich
EU Launches Review of Fisheries Policy, Seeks Stakeholder Input
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to assess its effectiveness over the past decade. Stakeholders can provide input until 21 April. This review, part of Commissioner Costas Kadis’ mandate to complete and follow up on a comprehensive evaluation of the CFP, aims to improve sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation. In parallel, it also launched a call for evidence to shape the European Oceans Pact, seeking to foster a broader, integrated and holistic approach to ocean governance across all sectors, including both internal and external policies. Deadline for input is 17 February.
The Commission also launched the Competitiveness Compass, a strategy to enhance the EU’s sustainable economic growth. Key actions include innovation (AI and technology adoption to boost industry); decarbonization (lower energy costs and an Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator Act) and resilience (securing resources via Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships). By modernizing policies and strengthening competitiveness, the EU aims to secure a greener, more resilient economy.
LIFE Calls for Fairer Fisheries Management in 10th Legislature Manifesto Meetings with MEPs
LIFE is holding a series of meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), their assistants, and advisors from across key political groups, including the EPP, S&D, GUE/NGL, and Renew. The purpose is to present and raise awareness about LIFE’s Manifesto for the 10th Legislature—a document outlining LIFE’s priority topics and proposed solutions to address the challenges faced by small-scale fisheries.
The Manifesto highlights practical pathways to improve the sector while aligning with the current and upcoming political processes, such as the Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). These discussions emphasize the urgent need to implement policies that empower small-scale fishers and ensure sustainable and equitable fisheries management.
LIFE Supports Swedish Proposal for Trawl Closure in Baltic Herring Waters
Importance of Short Value Chains and Traceability highlighted at “Follow the Fish” Event
Follow the Fish event in the EP – Credits @ClientEarth
3/12 – LIFE participated in “Follow the Fish”, an event held at the European Parliament organised by Oceana. LIFE Executive Secretary Marta Cavallé took the floor to highlight the need for EU labelling regulations to be as stringent for imported and processed products asthey are for fresh and frozen EU products, and the importance of improved visibility of SSF products, alternative food systems, short value chains, and traceability—key measures that benefit both consumers and fishers by ensuring transparency and fairer prices for small-scale fishers. Moderated by MEP Thomas Bajada, who signed the Follow the Fish statement live during the session, the event filled the room with key stakeholders. Attendees included European Commission officials, MEPs and their teams, Follow the Fish signatories, and seafood industry representatives.
New European Commission Working Group on Small-Scale Fisheries in the Energy Transition coordinated by LIFE Executive Secretary
11/12 – The European Commission organised a workshop, titled “Navigating the Energy Transition: Strategic Goals for Resilient and Sustainable Fisheries Fleet,” held in a hybrid mode, to present the Energy Transition Partnership Support Group. Marta Cavallé gave an overview of the aims of the Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries working group. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to engage with sectoral group members, while fostering connections with other stakeholders working towards a greener and more sustainable fisheries sector.
Marta Cavallé presenting the SSF working group
As the group’s coordinator, Marta Cavallé will lead efforts to foster collaboration, address critical challenges, share knowledge in light to shape the roadmap to support small-scale fisheries in the energy transition, with the goal of achieving climate-neutrality by 2050. The next meeting of the Small-Scale Support Group is scheduled to take place on 10 February in digital format, and another 3 more meetings of the working group will follow until June 2025. More information about the Energy Transition Partnership Support Group are available here.
Plastic Pellet Spill in Spain: Urgent Call for Action
19/12 – The LIFE General Assembly served as a platform to address the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s small-scale fishers. Discussions centred on LIFE’s 2024 work plan and the key priorities for the Xth Legislature, with members actively contributing reflections and feedback to shape the organisation’s focus for the year ahead. The Assembly concluded with the approval of LIFE’s 2023 financial accounts.
LIFE Comments on DG MARE’s “Fishers of the Future” Report
14/1 – The DG MARE “Fishers of the Future” report, recently presented in Brussels, explores four potential scenarios for the fishing sector, addressing challenges like climate change and market shifts. LIFE’s Policy Advisor applauded the effort to look at the future of the sector and its generational renewal but was concerned about the oversimplification of the resulting report, and highlighted critical gaps, including overfishing, spatial squeeze from offshore renewables, poor working conditions driving out-migration, and overlooked impacts of marine litter and microplastics. These factors threaten fisheries’ sustainability and the appeal of fishing as a livelihood for future generations.
ICES stakeholder meetings, MIAC and MIACO
22-24/1 – LIFE attended the annual stakeholder meeting organised between ICES and the Advisory Councils. Concerns were raised that the advice requesters at the EU Commission, seem to have instructed ICES to delay their work on rebuilding fish stocks, see p.27.
ICES underlined their wish to have active engagement from a wide range of stakeholders and have transparent procedures in place which allow for participation. They highlighted their workshop on Nature Restoration and Recovery on 3-7 March and their working group on stakeholder engagement that will take place on 25-27 March as opportunities to participate in their work.
Workshop on Producer Organisations (POs) organised by the Markets and South West Waters ACs
28/1 – Fish POs have been around since the late 1970s, whilst aquaculture POs are more recent. Together there are 210 of them. The Common Market Organisation (CMO) states that fishery and aquaculture POs are “THE key to achieving the objectives of the CFP and the CMO” and “should take into account the special characteristics of SSF.” This MAC and SWW Advisory Council organised workshop focussed on the functioning of POs and in particular the use of “Production and Marketing Plans” (PMPs).
The workshop highlighted the heavy reliance of POs and PMPs on EMFF/ EMFAF funds, and that there is often a vicious circle between funds not arriving on time and PMPs failing to achieve their objectives. Several participants also highlighted the problem of short-termism: POs are tied into yearly plans and reporting rather than developing longer term strategies. It was also commented that often fishers are focussed on planning days or weeks ahead, and it’s difficult for them to plan longer into the future due to so many uncertainties.
Whilst most interventions highlighted the positive role and performance of POs, Jareck Jaroslaw, the BSAC Chair, drew attention to the failing state of POs in the Baltic alongside the failure of many stocks. He cited the closure of cod and salmon fisheries, reduction in pelagic quota and reliance on flat fish. POs he said, face the end of their existence. In the case of the Baltic, funding for the POs should not be based on volume or value of fish landings but on the survival of the fisheries. He felt that particular attention should be given to small-scale fishers.
This echoes LIFE’s call for POs to be set up dedicated to the interests of SSF- as part of a differentiated approach; such interests are often overlooked in mixed organisations.
Advancing Digital Innovation in Small-Scale Fisheries: Fish-X 3rd Business Architecture Workshop
31/1 The 3rd Business Architecture Workshop of the Fish-X Project brought together fishers, practitioners, maritime authorities, and researchers to explore the role of digital tools in transforming small-scale fisheries. The online event showcased live demonstrations of Fish-X’s innovative platforms, including the Dataspace, Insight Platform, and Traceability Platform. Participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions, provide valuable feedback, and contribute to the refinement of these tools aimed at promoting sustainability and efficiency within the sector. The workshop also included updates on the progress of the Fish-X Project and explored the next steps toward the sustainable transformation of small-scale fisheries. The Fish X Closing Conference and Expo is scheduled for 18 March 2025 and registrations will soon be available at https://fish-x.eu/
21/2 Fisheries and Oceans Dialogue, Brussels: LIFE will attend the High-level roundtable on the European Oceans Pact, hosted by Commissioner Costas Kadis. It will provide a platform to contribute to shaping a holistic and inclusive approach to ocean governance and sustainable fisheries.
One year after the Toconao cargo ship spill released 26 tons of plastic pellets along the Galician coast, the contamination persists, particularly in industrial areas like Tarragona, where chronic microplastic pollution is a growing concern. This disaster highlighted the urgent need for reinforced preventive measures to avoid similar environmental catastrophes in the future.
LIFE, together with Ecologistas en Acción, Mulleres Salgadas, Surfrider España, Good Karma Projects, Noia Limpa, and The Pew Charitable Trusts, has joined in calling for the adoption of stricter regulations to prevent pellet spills. These measures include ambitious policies to strengthen the production, handling, and transportation of plastic pellets.
LIFE stands alongside these organizations in advocating for stricter controls to protect our oceans, marine ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.
Wiadomości o uczciwym rybołówstwie, zdrowych morzach i tętniących życiem społecznościach rybackich
LIFE Welcomes Swedish Initiative on Baltic Sea Fisheries Management
LIFE Baltic members welcome the Swedish government’s assignment to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) to pilot a scientific project on spatial management for pelagic fishing in the Baltic Sea.
The initiative was presented in the framework of the Baltic Sea Advisory Council works for comments by the membership. It focuses on monitoring herring stocks to evaluate biomass, stock structure, and size trends while distinguishing fisheries impacts from other environmental factors. A proposed study area in the Central Baltic Sea will test annual restrictions on Sweden-flagged vessels using towed gear for pelagic fishing, with exemptions for vessels under 24 meters targeting fish for human consumption.
European Parliament Approves New College of Commissioners
Following a robust debate with Ursula von der Leyen on her new team and programme, on 27 November the European Parliament voted to approve the College of Commissioners. The results saw 370 MEPs in favor, 282 against, and 36 abstentions. Ahead of the vote, President von der Leyen reaffirmed her commitment to Parliament’s priorities, noting the portfolio adjustments made during the evaluation process.
One of the key appointments within the new Commission is Mr. Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, who secured backing from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH) following his hearing on 6 November.
Nominated by the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Kadis showcased his expertise and readiness to address the challenges of his portfolio and explained how he will address his List misyjny, including climate change, invasive species, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, unauthorized shipping, fisheries science, the blue economy, and Marine Spatial Planning.
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) warmly welcome Mr. Kadis’s appointment. He has pledged to prioritize the needs of small-scale fisheries by working to ensure equitable access to marine resources, enhanced sectoral support, and improved market opportunities. This commitment aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of small-scale fishers across Europe.
Additionally, Mr. Kadis underlined the importance of optimising the use of Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), an often-overlooked mechanism that promotes sustainability, incentivizes best practices, and advances social equity.
LIFE looks forward to collaborating closely with him and his team to advance shared objectives aligned with our Manifesto for sustainable and equitable fisheries.
LIFE to Coordinate Discussions on Energy Transition for Small-Scale Fisheries
LIFE Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, has been appointed to coordinate the Small-Scale Fisheries Working Group under the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP).
Launched by the European Commission (DG Mare) last year, DG Mare is now creating a Support Group, made up of 10 coordinators, whose role is essential in fostering the exchange of inputs, recommendations, and best practices within the sector. As a bottom-up advisory and consultative body, these Coordinators will play a pivotal role in assisting the European Commission by providing insights and guiding the development of the Energy Transition roadmap—an actionable plan to be delivered by the end of 2025, with measurable milestones aimed at supporting the transition to a sustainable future.
To ensure that small-scale fisheries are at the forefront of a sustainable and inclusive energy transition, LIFE is committed to engaging fishers directly in the process. By gathering insights, addressing challenges, and facilitating the exchange of best practices, LIFE aims to advocate for an equitable transition that reflects the needs and realities of small-scale fishers across Europe.
This role also complements LIFE’s work in Seaglow, an EU-funded project demonstrating innovative low-carbon technologies for small-scale fishing vessels of which LIFE is partner. By integrating insights from and for both initiatives, LIFE aims to drive practical and sustainable energy solutions for the sector.
LIFE Staff Attend Re-Launch of Parliament Recreational Fisheries Forum
On 13 November 2024, LIFE Brussels staff attended the relaunch of the European Parliament’s Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment. The event, chaired by MEP Michal Wiezik (Renew Europe), focused on the socio-economic and environmental benefits of the EU’s recreational fisheries sector. Mark Owen (EAA President) and Gerard Bakkenes (EFTTA Chair) outlined key challenges and opportunities for the sector over the next five years. The event also provided an excellent networking opportunity, to meet new MEPs, and to discuss the mutual interests of small-scale fishers and recreational fisheries.
RoundGoby Project Partners meet in Gdańsk
LIFE Baltic and North Sea Coordinator attended the second in-person meeting of the RoundGoby project in Gdańsk. The meeting included updates on pilot activities and the development and marketing of Round Goby products as both human and pet food.
A side-event featured tastings of Round Goby chips and prototypes of canned, minced products, developed by Kaunas University of Technology and Baltijos Konservai. Swedish partners also showcased Round Goby burgers, and a chef team from Kalmar kommun prepared innovative dishes.
A six-month mentorship programme designed to help businesses in the algae value chain refine their strategies, address industry challenges, and bring sustainable alternatives to market.
The technical assistance supports selected applicants in strengthening actions aligned with the Mission Ocean and Waters targets. It offers tailored expert support, including technical assessments and feasibility studies, covering regulatory, technical, economic, operational, environmental, and commercial aspects.
Już wkrótce
3/12 in Brussels: In person event in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Thomas Bajada on the “Follow the Fish” Statement: speakers from civil society, the food industry and seafood companies will discuss the importance of having more information on the fish EU consumers eat. Registration is accessible here.
4-5/12 in Brussels and online: LIFE staff will attend the next PECH meeting. Topics on the agenda include a Workshop on “The future of the EU fishing fleet − First assessment of Member States’ EMFAF programmes for 2021-27”, organised by Policy Department B and a Public Hearing on How scientific advice is developed for EU Fisheries Policy decisions. Works will be boradcasted here.
The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) supports the draft project presented by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SWAM) responding to the Swedish government’s assignment for a trawl closure of the central Baltic herring coastal waters. The draft project was presented to the Baltic Sea Advisory Council membership in September 2024 for consultation.
Healthy herring stocks are critical for the Baltic Sea ecosystem, yet negative trends have been observed across all Baltic Sea subdivisions along the Swedish coast. These include declining age and size structure, as well as reductions in biomass and abundance. This scientific project seeks to assess whether spatial fisheries management measures could improve the status of herring stocks along the Swedish coast.
A proposed study area in the Central Baltic Sea will test annual fishing restrictions on Union vessels using towed gear for pelagic stocks, with an exemption for vessels under 24 meters targeting fish for direct human consumption. As a Swedish government assignment, the project will focus on Swedish fisheries, with suggested fishing regulations to be implemented as national measures under Article 20 of the Basic Regulation.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of spatial fisheries management measures and, if successful, propose how such measures could help improve the health of herring stocks in the Baltic Sea. LIFE supports this initiative and encourages further efforts to enhance sustainable fisheries management while ensuring the resilience of the Baltic ecosystem.
Wiadomości o uczciwym rybołówstwie, zdrowych morzach i tętniących życiem społecznościach rybackich
Making a Meal out of Baltic Sea Fisheries
On 23 October 2024 the AgriFish Council reached an agreement on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2025. In doing so, they negotiated a package that leaves around 90% of the fishing quotas for the unsorted mixed pelagic catch fleet segment which reduces catches to fishmeal and oil. The agreement also allows the trawler fleet to take a bycatch of cod along with their plaice quota, but leaves the small-scale low impact fleet to eke out a living on plaice and flounder, along with a tokenistic western herring quota.
Once again, the need for fish stock growth to sustain the coastal fishery was ignored. The cod fisheries will remain closed, as has been the case since 2019, but rebuilding the stock through increased prey availability of sprat and herring was not prioritised. The sprat quota was reduced by less than recommended by the Commission and ICES while the central Baltic herring quota was increased by 108%, on the basis that the average weight of herring has increased leaving the stock above critical biomass levels.
Meanwhile, in the Bothnian Sea the herring quota was increased 21% despite the fact that the quota has not been exhausted for the past three years. Coastal fishermen and anglers had called for a significant reduction in order to increase the stock biomass and also ensure sufficient prey availability for the wild salmon stocks that depend on herring for their growth.
Ocean Week 2024 in Brussels celebrates Europe’s Seas
Ocean week took place in Brussels – a week of debates, exhibitions and other events to celebrate Europe’s seas and explore how to rebuild their abundance. The focus was on building momentum for sustainable fisheries, driving climate resilience and uplifting coastal communities. LIFE members and staff have been actively engaged in several initiatives, including:
A powerful photographic exhibition where LIFE Members from Denmark (David Lange, FSK), Ireland (Muireann and Neily Kavanagh, IIMRO) and Spain (Primitivo Pedrosa), called on national governments, newly-elected Members of the European Parliament, and the European Commission to ensure fairer and more transparent fishing practices. Through captivating imagery in both photographic oraz video format, the initiative highlighted the realities faced by the small-scale fleet and underscored the need for equitable and transparent allocation of fishing opportunities across Europe.
Fisheries stakeholders gathered on the esplanade in front of the European Parliament as part of the “Rethink Fisheries: For Thriving Seas and Communities” event. LIFE members Gwen Pennarun (Brittany Handliners, France), Muireann Kavanagh (IIMRO, Ireland), and Isaac Moya Bofill (Empescat, Spain) featured as panellists in the “Make Fishing Fair” panel. They spoke about the challenges faced by small-scale fishers, from restrictive access to local species to resource depletion and unsuitable market regulations. Their discussions underscored the urgent need for fairer, sustainable approaches to resource management and industry practices.
Organised by BirdLife and Surfrider, Ocean Lab provided an opportunity for MEPs and their teams to meet with stakeholders of the marine and fisheries sectors in a speed dating style format and to share perspectives on the following key topics: Fisheries and Food, Sustainable Blue Economy and Just Transition, Energy Transition, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Pollution and Health. LIFE staff, Jerry Percy, LIFE Senior Advisor, and Gwen Pennarun, LIFE Director, attended to provide insights on small-scale fisheries issues.
Organised by Oceana and Client Earth, the event focused on the shift to low-impact and low-carbon practices to align the fisheries sector with the EU’s broader 2050 climate neutrality goals. LIFE was invited to be part of a panel, providing a small-scale fisheries perspective on the issues arising from the energy transition to a zero carbon emissions economy.
3/10 Równowaga między naturą, klimatem i ludźmi na morzu: Morska energetyka wiatrowa przyjazna naturze
LIFE was on the panel of this event organised by WWF in the European Parliament. Topics on the agenda included the development of new offshore wind infrastructures to meet the Paris Agreement and co-existence with other industries. LIFE underscored, inter alia, the need to place small-scale fisheries at the heart of the Blue economy development strategy. This fleet segment provides a sustainable source of food and employment to coastal communities; it is therefore vital to protect it from displacement and spatial squeezing. Independent environmental, social and economic impact assessments of offshore wind farms are also urgently needed, alongside inclusive Maritime Spatial Planning.
Preserving Heritage while Advocating Change: III Congreso Internacional de la Pesca Artesanal in Conil
Held in the historic fishing town of Conil, the III Congreso Internacional de la Pesca Artesanal (9-11/10) organised by the organisation OPP72 and the Red Iberoamericana de Pesca Artesanal de Pequeña Escala (RIPAPE) brought together more than a hundred participants from 30 countries, mainly small-scale fishers, researchers, and policymakers. This congress celebrated the small-scale fishing heritage, shared knowledge on sustainable practices, and provided a forum to discuss the current and future challenges facing small-scale fisheries. The agenda tackled three main topics: climate change and its effects on small-scale fisheries; governance systems, co-management and fishing rights; and food sovereignty in the context of the burgeoning blue economy. LIFE Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, in addition to LIFE members Luis Rodriguez and Macarena Molina, attended the Congress, highlighting the importance of stronger cooperation of small-scale fisheries networks, and organisations across the globe, to represent and create space for small-scale fisheries at international level, and to advocate for fair policies.
Shaping a Digital Future for Small-Scale Fisheries: Fish-X 6th Working Group Meeting
The Fish-X 6th Working Group Meeting, Small-Scale Fisheries Speak Out: Shaping a Digital Future for Their Needs (25/10), brought LIFE Members, LIFE staff and Fish X project partners together to discuss digital innovation tailored to the needs of small-scale fisheries, ensuring they can play an active role within the digital transition. The meeting provided small-scale fisheries representatives with a platform to voice their needs, concerns, challenges and opportunities around digitalization, and discuss solutions and how FishX digital tools can be adapted to their specific requirements. A key takeaway was the need to develop tools not exclusively focusing on control and enforcement as the driver of digitalisation. Building on the UK experience with CatchApp, Jerry Percy, LIFE Senior Advisor, highlighted as key aspects for successful small-scale fisheries-friendly digital tools early engagement, codevelopment of solutions, simple fit for purpose equipment, robust procurement processes supported by initial and ongoing grant funding, extensive capacity building processes for all stakeholders and field testing prior to implementation .
Galician Women Shellfish Gatherers Disheartened as Protection Bill for Traditional Fishing Rejected by PP
LIFE Member Mulleres Salgadas, representing women shellfish gatherers in the Coruña and Pontevedra area, has expressed disappointment after the Galician Popular Party (PP) rejected a Popular Legislative Initiative (Iniciativa Legislativa Popular – ILP) aimed at enhancing legal protections for traditional fishing, shellfishing, and mussel farming. The ILP, championed by various local fishing and women’s organizations, along with unions and municipalities, sought to classify these activities as “of general interest,” which would prioritize them over competing maritime developments, such as offshore wind projects. Proponents argued that this recognition is crucial to safeguard the sector amid declining shellfish and mussel yields and to protect it from environmental threats and competing industries. The PP argued that current coastal laws already cover these concerns, rendering additional protections unnecessary. This stance has sparked criticism from opposition members, who emphasize the economic and cultural significance of Galicia’s fishing industry and argue for stronger protections to address its ongoing crises.For more information check this press article in La Voz de Galicia i ILP document (in Spanish) .
Ongoing – CINEA launched a call for proposals for expertise and technical assistance to those willing to launch a project that falls under one of the categories supported by the Mission Lighthouse (biodiversity, pollution, and circular economy). Deadline 13/12/2024
6/11, 14:30-17:30 – European Parliament hearing with Commissioner-designate Kostas Cadis. Watch livetutaj, and read Cadis’s written responses to the Committee’s questions.
12/11 – LIFE will attend a roundtable on Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy organised by Oceana. This exclusive event will bring together EU fisheries administrations, Blue NGOs, and low-impact small-scale fishers to discuss collaborative solutions and address implementation challenges.
25-28/11- European Parliament Plenary meetings in Strasbourg, during which MEPs will vote on the full college of Commissioners. Agenda available here.
20/2 – LIFE’s newly elected President, Gwen Pennarun, 
24-26/2 – LIFE’s Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé, was invited to attend the International Workshop “
LIFE’s Senior Adviser, Jeremy Percy, attended a 
Polish 
English 
Croatian 
Dutch 
French 
German 
Greek 
Italian 
Romanian 
Spanish 
Maltese