European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, addressing a joint session of three Greek parliamentary committees on 14 May 2026, outlined the European Commission's ongoing work on the European Ocean Pact, the future reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and the upcoming Ocean Act, while also raising concerns about illegal fishing incidents involving Turkish vessels in Greek waters.
Kadis presented the European Ocean Pact, adopted by the Commission in June 2025, as the first comprehensive EU strategy for the marine environment, bundling all maritime policies into a single framework with around 90 policy actions. He noted that the recent evaluation of the CFP confirms the basic approach of balancing environmental, economic and social sustainability remains valid, but also highlights weaknesses, particularly the need to better quantify socio-economic impacts and integrate socio-economic data into scientific advice, as well as the need for fleet modernisation, energy transition, attracting new entrants, and simplification.
Building on the CFP evaluation, Kadis announced the preparation of a Vision for fisheries and aquaculture towards 2040, which will also draw on a roadmap for the sector's energy transition, a review of aquaculture guidelines, and a strategy for the external dimension of fisheries policy. The Commissioner stressed the importance of protecting the EU fishing chain from unfair competition, including through combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, strengthening sustainability conditions in trade agreements, and implementing the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies.
On aquaculture, Kadis highlighted Greece's leading role in European marine fish farming and recalled the launch of the European aquaculture campaign in March 2025. He also pointed to the upcoming Commission communication on strategies for coastal communities and islands, covering connectivity, energy transition, access to finance, seasonality, climate resilience, and support for people living and working in coastal and island areas.
A key legislative element of the Ocean Pact will be the Ocean Act, which aims to enhance coherence of maritime policies and will be based on an update of the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. Kadis welcomed Greece's progress towards compliance with the directive, which fully respects member states' sovereign rights and jurisdiction over their waters under international law, and expressed readiness to provide technical support.
On the international dimension, Kadis addressed incidents of Turkish vessels engaging in IUU fishing and harassment in Greek territorial waters in the Aegean. He reiterated the Commission's position of zero tolerance for IUU fishing and firm respect for member states' sovereign rights, as stated in the recent EU Pact for the Mediterranean. While primary control responsibility lies with national authorities, the EU supports surveillance tools, funding through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, and coordination via the European Fisheries Control Agency, as well as engagement in regional forums such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.
Regarding the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), Kadis acknowledged concerns about future support for fisheries and aquaculture, noting that the Commission is pursuing a more flexible, integrated and efficient budget and that maritime priorities are reflected across all three pillars of the Commission's proposal, now under consideration by the European Parliament and the Council.
Kadis concluded by emphasising that the Ocean Pact, the Ocean Act, the Vision 2040, the coastal and island strategies, energy transition, and EU international action are parts of a common effort to protect the sea, support coastal communities, and ensure Europe remains a strong actor in ocean governance. He noted that early that morning he had visited the Keratsini fish market with Greek Minister Schoinas to discuss challenges with sector representatives.