Greek MEP Galato Alexandraki (ECR) has asked the European Commission whether it will take targeted action to protect small-scale coastal and island fisheries in the Mediterranean, warning that current restrictions are causing income losses of up to 50% and pushing fishers below 130 fishing days per year. The written parliamentary question, submitted on 22 April 2026, focuses on three concrete demands: prioritising small-scale fishers when allocating fishing opportunities under Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy, activating emergency financial support through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and reviewing the Mediterranean fishing limitations based on updated scientific and socio-economic data by maritime zone.
Alexandraki’s question cites the Commission’s own November 2025 vademecum on fishing opportunities, which recognised the vulnerability of small-scale fishers and called for transparent social, economic and environmental criteria. She also references a Commission statement from 24 March 2026, ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 30 March, noting that small-scale coastal fishing accounts for 76% of the EU fleet while 23% of vessels already operate at a loss. The MEP argues that horizontal restrictions are disproportionately harming island communities in Greece, where the primary sector faces economic suffocation.
The question signals a push for more differentiated, island-sensitive EU fisheries policy. Alexandraki advocates for shifting away from blanket measures toward geographically tailored limits based on updated data. She also calls for explicit prioritisation of small-scale fishers in quota allocation and for financial relief via EMFAF. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it is willing to adjust the Mediterranean fishing regime or offer targeted support, and may reveal tensions between conservation goals and the socio-economic survival of coastal communities. Key stakeholders impacted include small-scale fishers in Greek islands, EU fisheries regulators, national authorities implementing quotas, and the broader Mediterranean fishing industry facing reduced fishing days.
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