Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, outlined a comprehensive vision for the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sectors in his opening speech at the Euractiv Policy Conference on 25 March 2025. Kadis emphasized the sectors' critical role in EU food security, noting the EU imports 70% of its seafood and underlining the need for sustainable marine resource management.
Building on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) revised in 2013, which aimed at maximum sustainable yield by 2020 and boosted transparency and cooperation through regional approaches and Advisory Councils, the Commissioner highlighted significant progress such as restoring fish stocks and reducing overfishing. The 2023 Fisheries and Ocean Package furthers sustainability by integrating social and economic factors, while initiatives such as the Marine Action Plan and the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Transition Initiative address environmental threats and energy dependencies.
Kadis announced an ongoing evaluation of the CFP Regulation, which will assess its fitness for purpose and potentially lead to legislative action, with continued public stakeholder consultation until April 21. This evaluation will feed into a new 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture, set to balance sustainability with competitiveness by addressing climate change adaptation, technological modernization, generational renewal in the sector, and geopolitical challenges.
A forthcoming European Ocean Pact and an Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy will provide cohesive frameworks for ocean-related policies and sustainable blue economy growth. Kadis briefly noted ongoing financial investments but refrained from specifying budgetary commitments ahead of the multiannual financial framework discussions.
This policy trajectory signals a strengthening of EU regulatory oversight and integration in fisheries, promoting increased sustainability and sector competitiveness while aiming to secure fair incomes for fishers and coastal communities. Key stakeholders impacted include EU producers in fisheries and aquaculture who face modernization and decarbonization demands, national authorities tasked with implementing stricter conservation measures, consumers who may benefit from enhanced food security and quality, and coastal communities reliant on the sector's economic vitality.
The balance between enhancing regulatory frameworks and maintaining competitive resilience suggests a cautious yet proactive approach, with the recognition that extensive stakeholder engagement and innovation will be critical for success. Overall, Kadis' speech reveals a strategic tilt toward stronger EU-level coordination and sustainability goals in fisheries with pragmatic acknowledgment of economic and geopolitical realities.