Commissioner Costas Kadis addressed the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on March 30, 2026, outlining key issues and proposed policy directions concerning small-scale and coastal fisheries across the EU. His speech emerged from an Implementation Dialogue hosted in November 2025 involving fishers, member states, advisory councils, and civil society.
Key Proposals and Policy Orientation Kadis emphasized the urgency of simplifying administrative procedures and making European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) support more accessible and better aligned with the realities of small-scale fisheries. He formally instructed a potential targeted revision of EMFAF, signaling a concrete policy move towards reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving funding predictability.
Environmental sustainability was a central theme, with broad support for ambitious climate and marine protection policies. However, Kadis underscored the necessity of proportionate implementation given the small environmental footprint of these fleets. Importantly, he reiterated calls for transparency and fairness in the allocation of fishing quotas, urging Member States to improve practices, especially by promoting preferential access for small-scale fisheries within the 12-nautical mile zone. This reflects an ongoing tension between national regulatory discretion and EU-level governance aiming to balance ecological goals with economic viability.
Implications for Stakeholders Small-scale fishers stand to benefit from easier access to funds and potentially more secured fishing rights, enhancing their economic sustainability and generational renewal prospects. Environmental NGOs may welcome strengthened sustainability considerations aligned with decarbonization efforts, though concerns could arise over the perceived proportionality of restrictions.
Member States face increased pressure to enhance transparency and harmonize quota allocations, which could require adjustments in national administration and enforcement mechanisms. Fishery-dependent coastal communities might find strengthened support bolstering social cohesion and preserving traditional livelihoods, but they may also contend with regulatory adjustments that affect fishing operations.
Balancing Priorities Kadis’ address reflects a nuanced approach seeking to reconcile economic viability of a vulnerable sector with environmental ambitions under the Common Fisheries Policy. While it calls for stronger governance and funding reform at EU level, it also respects the sovereignty of Member States, encouraging collaboration rather than prescriptive mandates. This policy trajectory suggests incremental reform aimed at reinforcing the role of small-scale and coastal fisheries within a sustainable blue economy framework.
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