Let Europe’s fishermen fish, not sink

The EPP Group is calling on the European Commission to urgently reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), cut red tape, increase funding, and help European fishermen adapt to a changing environment.

"Europe's fishermen are under growing pressure. The current policy is 15 years old and no longer fits today's reality. While rising costs and environmental challenges are destabilising the sector, we keep piling on EU rules that suffocate fishermen and undermine their ability to compete in international markets. On top of that, an ageing workforce and the soaring cost of modernising vessels are forcing businesses to close, with no one to take over and pass them on to the next generation. If we continue down this path, it won't be 70%, but all of our seafood that Europe will have to import, often produced under lower standards. We are facing a clear threat to our coastal communities and food security," said Carmen Crespo MEP, the EPP Group’s lead negotiator on the CFP resolution that will be voted on in plenary today.

The EPP Group is stepping up pressure on the European Commission to deliver a simplification package, including rules on what fishermen must land, record and report. It is also calling for the fishing budget to be increased and better redirected towards modernising and renewing Europe's ageing fleets.

"Over the past 10 years, the EU fishing fleet has lost more than 10,000 vessels. We must tackle soaring fuel costs, support the decarbonisation and renewal of vessels and improve safety and working conditions on board. This is an urgent priority for Europe's fishing sector. We call on the Commission: let Europe's fishermen fish, not sink," explained Isabelle Le Callennec, the EPP Group's Spokeswoman in the Fisheries Committee.