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A Pan-European Platform of Committed Low Impact Small-Scale Fishers

As a platform of grassroots organizations, LIFE represents the interests of 33 organizations in 15 EU Member States associating around 10,000 small scale fishers across all European sea basins from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

We are an association set up and run by small- scale fishers (SSF) committed to:

Fishing in a low impact manner

Transforming low impact fishing into an attractive and economically viable profession

Sustaining fish stocks and protecting the marine environment

Transforming the food system into a fairer and more sustainable one

Contributing to prosperous coastal communities

This commitment has been expressed in LIFE’S Statutes, in  different declarations, and with specific proposals on the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy:

Partners & Donors

Our mission of connecting and empowering fishing communities across Europe could not take place without working closely with a wide range of partners and donors.

Velux Fonden

Velux Fonden

Marilles Foundation

Marilles Foundation

Adessium Foundation

Adessium Foundation

MAVA

MAVA

Slow Food

Slow Food

GFCM

GFCM

Client Earth

Client Earth

WWF

WWF

European Comission

European Comission

AKTEA

AKTEA

Together for the Med

Together for the Med

Greenpeace

Greenpeace

The Waterloo Foundation

The Waterloo Foundation

Coalition Clean Baltic

Coalition Clean Baltic

Board of Directors

The strategic direction of LIFE is developed and overseen by an elected board of directors of working fishers from LIFE’s three regions.

Baltic and North Sea

Wolfgang Albrech

Wolfgang Albrech

Katarzyna Stepanowska

Katarzyna Stepanowska

Bengt Larsson

Bengt Larsson

Atlantic Sea

Seamus Bonner

Seamus Bonner

Treasurer

Gwen Pennarun

Treasurer
Bally Philp

Bally Philp

Mediterranean and Black Sea

President

Christian Decugis

President
Bertrand Cazalet

Bertrand Cazalet

Secretary

Luis Rodriguez

Secretary
Federico Gelmi

Federico Gelmi

Team

The members of our team are based in several European countries. We are dedicated professionals who combine a high level of expertise with a strong dedication for small-scale fishers and seas. We’re passionate about the work we do.

Based in Brussels and drawing almost 50 years’ experience in many aspects of fisheries from around the world, Brian joined LIFE in 2015 as Deputy Director. His is mainly a support and advisory role. Contact: deputy@lifeplatform.eu

Policy Adviser, Brian O'Riordan

Based in Brussels and drawing almost 50 years’ experience in many aspects of fisheries from around the world, Brian joined LIFE in 2015 as Deputy Director. His is mainly a support and advisory role. Contact: deputy@lifeplatform.eu
A founding Director of LIFE, and long time commercial fisherman with significant experience of representing fishermen at every level. Based in the UK and advising on all issues, great and small.

Jerry Percy, Senior Advisor

A founding Director of LIFE, and long time commercial fisherman with significant experience of representing fishermen at every level. Based in the UK and advising on all issues, great and small.
Formerly Policy & Communications Officer for The Fisheries Secretariat in Stockholm. Based in Sweden, Christian Coordinates LIFE’s activities in the Baltic and North Seas.  Contact: bans@lifeplatform.eu

Baltic and North Sea Coordinator, Christian Tsangarides

Formerly Policy & Communications Officer for The Fisheries Secretariat in Stockholm. Based in Sweden, Christian Coordinates LIFE’s activities in the Baltic and North Seas.  Contact: bans@lifeplatform.eu
Marta is a Marine Biologist with 17 years experience in project management, policy advocacy and supporting small-scale fishers organisations at the waterface. She represents the interests of LIFE’s members in the European Institutions, and is responsible for the smooth running of the organisation. Contact: executive.secretary@lifeplatform.eu

Executive Secretary, Marta Cavallé

Marta is a Marine Biologist with 17 years experience in project management, policy advocacy and supporting small-scale fishers organisations at the waterface. She represents the interests of LIFE’s members in the European Institutions, and is responsible for the smooth running of the organisation. Contact: executive.secretary@lifeplatform.eu
Based in Brussels, Claudia has several years of experience in institutional communication and media at the EU and international level. Contact: communications@lifeplatform.eu

Senior Communications and Outreach Officer, Claudia Orlandini

Based in Brussels, Claudia has several years of experience in institutional communication and media at the EU and international level. Contact: communications@lifeplatform.eu

Timeline

  • 2009-2012

    How it all started

    The seeds of LIFE were sown in the lead up to the 2012 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)… Read more

  • 2012-2013

    LIFE IS FORMALLY LAUNCHED

    LIFE was launched in 2012 at the first European Artisanal Fishermen Congress held in Brussels, and consolidated at a second Congress in 2013 held in Santiago… Read more

  • 2014

    LIFE’S START UP

    Thanks to a generous start-up grant, LIFE was able to register in the UK in 2014, and establish an office in Brussels in 2015.

  • 2015

    LIFE TAKES ITS FIRST STEPS

    Having established its presence in Brussels, LIFE started working to

    • develop a stronger voice for small-scale fishermen across Europe,
    • represent small-scale low impact  fishers  with the European institutions in Brussels and
    • support national organisations representing small-scale fishers. 
  • 2016

    LIFE BRANCHES OUT

    BALTIC AND NORTH SEA PROGRAMME

    LIFE is awarded a one off grant from the European Commission under the scheme “Support measures for small-scale fishing’ pilot project”, to establish a programme of work in the Baltic and North Sea… Read more

  • 2018

    STRENGTHENING THE MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAMME

    The MAVA Foundation’s Mediterranean Basin Programme  and LIFE form  3-year partnership, greatly strengthening LIFE’s capacity in this important sea-basin… Read more

  • 2019

    Growing

    PULSE TRAWLING IS BANNED

    After a long campaign started by LIFE in 2016, the European Parliament votes in plenary to ban fishing with electric “pulse trawls”… Read more

     

  • 2020-2021

    STRENGTHENING LIFE’S GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTION

    MAVA PARTNERSHIP RENEWED

    The MAVA Foundation renews its partnership with LIFE for two years, up to October 2022, enabling the Mediterranean Programme to continue its commitment to supporting LIFE Members at the water-face… Read more

  • 2025 Vision

    Fishers of the future

    LIFE’s 2025 vision is to become a cohesive, well governed and financially stable European umbrella organisation, made up of national and local level organisations dedicated to small-scale low impact fish (SSF) production, including SSF fish producer organizations, with a strong presence in Brussels and at sea basin level, having staff and members spread throughout Europe… Read more

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