An amendment tabled by The Left group to a European Parliament report on the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) calls for a mandatory prohibition on fishing vessels over 25 metres in length operating within 12 nautical miles of the coast. The amendment, published on 12 May 2026, targets large-scale industrial trawlers to protect small-scale coastal fisheries and marine ecosystems, marking a significant shift from the original report's likely softer language on balancing maritime uses.
The single amendment, tabled by MEPs Emma Fourreau and Luke Ming Flanagan on behalf of The Left, inserts a direct call for the EU and Member States to prohibit vessels over 25 metres from coastal waters. The dual rationale explicitly links socio-economic support for coastal fishing communities with conservation of marine biological resources, framing the measure as a win-win for social justice and ecological health. The 25-metre threshold serves as a proxy to distinguish small-scale, often family-owned vessels from industrial trawlers, effectively reserving the most productive coastal waters for the artisanal fleet.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The amendment represents a regulatory, exclusionary approach that prioritises protection of small-scale fisheries and ecosystems over the operational freedom of large industrial fleets. This contrasts with the likely more flexible, incentive-based or co-management approach favoured by centre-right and centre-left groups, as indicated by the absence of counter-amendments from EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, or PfE. The main cleavage is between a hard spatial ban and a softer balancing of interests. The trade-off involves significant economic disruption for large-scale fishing operators and ports dependent on coastal access, against potential gains in biodiversity and resilience of artisanal communities.
Impact on stakeholders Small-scale coastal fishers stand to benefit from reduced competition and preserved fish stocks, improving their economic viability. Large-scale industrial fishing fleets (vessels over 25 metres) face major operational restrictions, forced to fish further offshore at higher costs, potentially reducing profitability. EU regulatory bodies and Member States would need to enforce the exclusion zone, requiring monitoring and compliance mechanisms. Environmental NGOs and conservation groups would likely support the measure for its ecosystem protection benefits, while industry associations representing large-scale fisheries would oppose it as disproportionate and harmful to the sector.
Expected institutional follow-up The amendment will be considered as part of the report by rapporteur Stephanie Yon-Courtin (Renew, France) on the impact of the MSPD on fisheries. The report is scheduled for a plenary vote in the European Parliament, after which it will inform the Commission's review of the directive. The Council will also examine the Parliament's position. The absence of competing amendments suggests the issue may be contentious in trilogue negotiations, with Member States divided over the economic impact on their fishing industries.
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