Costas Kadis

Policy topics Costas Kadis is active on

What Costas Kadis has said (80)

• 2026-07-09 “Dear chair, honourable members, the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation is the European Union's Foundation for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture. This April. One decade after its last revision, the commission's evaluation confirmed that the approach adopted in 2013 to reconcile the three core objectives of the CFP environmental, social and economic sustainability remains valid. The evaluation further demonstrates that the regulations effectiveness depends not only on its overarching framework, but also on the operationalization of its tools, including technical and conservation measures, control mechanisms, and multiannual plans. Starting with the environmental pillar, the evaluation finds progress in reducing overfishing, but stock abundance has not increased as expected. The landing obligation has fallen short of expectations on selective behavior or touch composition. This matters beyond the environment because conservation underpins long term socio economic prosperity, and here the evaluation finds that the sector's socioeconomic performance also falls short of what the 2013 reform envisaged. This is linked to several persistent challenges facing the EU fisheries sector, including an ageing fleet, high energy dependency, rising operational costs and difficulties in attracting young generations. Access to marine biological resources is also an issue for the small scale fishers. Profitability has not improved as expected. This is not only due to the challenges I just mentioned, but can also be explained to a large extent by a decreasing landing due to slow recovery of fish stocks and by an incomplete adjustment of the fleet capacity to available fish stocks. Moreover, the evaluation found that while science and data collection have improved, there is a growing demand to better quantify the socio economic impact on the sector and to integrate the data into the scientific advice that feeds into our policy decisions.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-07-09 “Here, we have already taken steps forward with the first dedicated social report on the sector, published just two weeks ago. In aquaculture. The evaluation shows that the limits of the nonbinding EU tools. The sector evaluation shows the limits of the nonbinding EU tools the sector relies on, where measures depend mainly on guidance and voluntary uptake. Progress can be uneven and too slow, particularly in areas such as administrative simplification and enabling conditions for growth. External disruptions are also increasingly affecting fisheries and aquaculture. Covid 19, the war in Ukraine, Brexit and systemic changes such as demographic ageing, geopolitical shifts and accelerating climate change. While these factors go beyond The direct remit of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, stakeholders rightfully expect the policy framework to offer ways to respond and adapt on the international stage. The EU remains a global leader in sustainable fisheries. We must uphold this role, especially in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and ensure fair competition for our operators with third country fillets. Honourable members, the evaluation provided a diagnosis of the rules in place. Now we need we need to take political decisions on the way forward, including looking into the question which shortcomings identified in the evaluation Require legislative changes and to what extent. I look forward to the discussion that will follow. Thank you very much for your attention.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-07-09 “Having all this in mind, I will consider making a proposal to the College of Commissioners for a targeted amendment of the CFP regulation, subject to the Commission's better regulation procedures. Combating IUU fishing is one of our top priorities. We are proud of the first ever digital certification system IT catch, which has been operational for six months and secures that no product stemming from IUU fishing enters the European Union market. It catch has already proven a success thanks to real time EU wide data. We are also strengthening the legal and governance frameworks for fighting IUU fishing through bilateral agreements and our participation in regional fisheries management organisations. Honourable members the findings of the evaluation will also feed the Commission's Vision 2040 for fisheries and Aquaculture, which will include the External Action Strategy and the Energy Transition Roadmap in the early autumn. Parallel to this work, we are proceeding with our simplification initiatives. Listening also to your calls and particularly the simplification of the Multiannual Fisheries management plans. We want to make them easier to implement and to address the challenges identified so far, and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund regulation to align it with the new WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies and to simplify its implementation. Honourable members, I assure you that your feedback is highly respected and be taken into account in the development and implementation of this policy initiatives. Thank you very much for your attention.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-07-09 “Thank you. Madam president, honourable members, I have listened very carefully to your remarks. And let me recall that this is the first time since the 2013 reform that the CFP regulation is evaluated with such comprehensive data and trends. Based on this diagnosis, but also on your views and the positions of the Member States and all stakeholders, we will take political decisions as to the follow up, including on whether addressing the challenges and shortcomings identified in the evaluation require any legislative changes and to which extent issues you raised, such as the need for modernisation and decarbonisation of the fishing fleet. Generational renewal. Securing a level playing field for our sector. Simplification. Fair treatment and further support to the small scale fishers. The consideration of socio economic elements in the scientific advice that we receive for developing our proposals for fishing opportunities and better implementation and enforcement of our legal framework will be in the centre of our attention on the landing application. The evaluation shows that it did not deliver the expected results for several reasons. In particular, there was a low uptake in buy in at industry level. However, it is clear that we cannot go back to the old situation of massive and unreported discarding, and our sector agrees on on that principle. And that is why I have invited the representatives of this sector to discuss their and our ideas on how we can address this challenge. It is important that the measures that we will develop to be applicable and well received by those who will implement them at the end of the day.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-07-08 “(15:25:52 - 15:27:03): Thank you, madam president, honorable members. Thank you for your remarks, and we have taken well note of all, your positions. I will make some general comments. I think that we all agree that no member state can face security challenge challenges alone. We are bringing the full weight of the EU legal, financial, and operational resources to support the member states in this fight. We have agreed on a new EU drugs strategy and action plan against drugs trafficking, and we are already working on their implementation. We have proposed new mandates for Europol and Eurojust, and we will propose new legislation on frontex and organized crime soon. So in all these initiatives, we count on your cooperation and support to make real progress. Thank you for your attention.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2026-07-08 “(14:30:34 - 14:35:32): Thank you, mister president, honorable members. On the May 8, 2 Spanish Guardia civil agents were killed after their boats collided while chasing suspected drug traffickers in the Atlantic. I feel deeply for the 2, officers, their relatives, and their colleagues. This tragic event reminds us of the risks that law enforcement officers face to keep narcotics off our streets. They deserve our full support. Honorable members, we recently presented the annual European drugs report. It paints an alarming picture. Cocaine is more available than ever before. Between 2013 and 2023, cocaine seizures in Europe increased sixfold. At the same time, we are seeing a sharp rise in synthetic drugs, which are often even more dangerous and harder to detect. Truck trafficking is not an isolated crime. It fuels money laundering, corruption, human trafficking, violence, and other forms of serious organized crime. Behind this market are highly sophisticated criminal networks. They use advanced technologies, including for their communications, international logistics chains, and enormous financial resources. At the same time, they exploit social vulnerabilities, social inclusion, lack of opportunities, mental health challenges, and other societal pressures that create an environment in which drug use and addiction can flourish. That is why we take a comprehensive approach. The new EU drugs strategy combines public health, preservation, and treatment with a strong security and law enforcement response because we need to reduce both supply and demand. On the law enforcement side, we presented a European action plan against truck trafficking at the end of last year. Its objective is to target criminal net criminal networks along the entire supplying chain from production countries and transit routes to European markets. A key focus is the security of our ports. A large share of the cocaine entering Europe comes through them. That is why we are strengthening the European Ports Alliance, improving controls, and tackling the infiltration of ports by organized crime. The alliance shows what can, we achieved when public authorities and private operators work hand in hand, and you can see the results in the media. 4 tons of cocaine seized at Rotterdam in March. 8 tons concealed in cocoa beans in Wilhelmshaven in May, and over 100 tons of cocaine and ketamine hidden in timber from Chile. We are also stepping up cooperation with partner countries, particularly in Latin America. Drug trafficking is a global business, and our response must be global as well. Europol has recently concluded new partnerships with Brazil and Ecuador to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. The commission has recently proposed a new mandate for Europe. It will strengthen the agency as Europe's information hub, operational hub, and technology hub, enabling it to better support member states in tackling increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. And early next year, we will propose modernized rules on organized crime. I encourage you to give priority to all these files in the coming months so that we will be able to see their impact on the ground soon. I look forward to the discussions that will follow. Thank you.”
  Regulation of drug precursors in the EU
• 2026-06-22 “In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, it is essential to continue working together with third countries within the Gfcm. And our priority should be the consolidation of the compliance framework. We need to ensure a mentality change. The process will not be an easy one, but we have established a good basis for it and I will elaborate more. Under the AOB we have requested to discuss later today. Later today. The The implementation of end use of. It is also essential to intercept IUU consignments and to build the necessary evidence to discuss compliance cases, either bilaterally or in multilateral fora. And finally, as regards predators, this is an issue under the competence of my colleague Commissioner Roosevelt, who is well aware of the issue. The recent commission guidance on the implementation of the Birds and habitats directives focused on facilitating implementation, while stress test of the directives are foreseen in order to determine next steps. Dear colleagues, the upcoming fishing opportunity cycle will be a challenging exercise, But I'm fully committed to work very closely with all of you so that we can reach our goals and our ambition to strengthen the resilience of our fishing sector. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “In your political guidance paper. You mentioned the need to reflect on a more common approach. This could be achieved, for example, through a common aquaculture policy. The implementation dialogue on aquaculture that I will host on the 30th of June will be an excellent opportunity to also hear from stakeholders what has worked and where obstacles remain. Last but not least, you have underlined the need for sufficient funding in that. In that respect, I cannot but acknowledge that the proposal of the Cypriot presidency recognises the importance of our sector and underlines the importance of the ongoing negotiations. Dear colleagues, at the Cyprus informal ministerial Meeting, we concluded that we need to reflect on ways to optimise the sustainable business models for our sectors. These models should build on trajectories that strike a balance and can ensure long term environmental, social and economic sustainability. Of course, not everything requires a legislative change or can be solved by changing legislation. Much can be achieved within the existing framework through better implementation or through a different approach. However, you have my commitment that I will explore every option and that I will not hesitate to follow any option that is deemed necessary to correct deficiencies identified in the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation evaluation in a way that ensures resilient and sustainable business models. I would in turn, ask for a collective commitment to look for solutions that support long term sustainability and look beyond short term gains. So I look forward to hearing your your views. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “Maria. Dear Maria, dear colleagues, this is the moment when we kick off discussions on the next season of fishing opportunities. The European fishing sector stands at a critical juncture. Despite some progress on stocks management and fleet efficiency, we are still facing depleted stocks, climate change, volatile fuel prices, ageing fleets and we struggle to attract the the next generation of fishers. Today I want to reflect on where we stand, the challenges ahead and how we can shape a fishing sector that is competitive, resilient and sustainable for 2040 and beyond. The Common Fisheries Policy has delivered progress since 2013. More stocks are being fished at maximum sustainable yield, particularly in the north east Atlantic, with the Bay of Biscay leading the way. These are hard won victories prove that science based management can deliver, but we are not there yet. Many stocks, especially in the Mediterranean, are still overfished and depleted. Biomass is declining in parts of the north east Atlantic, with critical situations for key Celtic Sea stocks, and many Baltic stocks remain in a dire state. Climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation remain key challenges going forward, but this cannot be used as an excuse for inaction. Where fishing pressure remains unsustainable, rules must be properly enforced, as healthy stocks are a prerequisite for profitable fisheries. Rebuilding plants like in the Baltic, can provide a pathway to long term sustainability and profitability. While multiannual tax could improve predictability for fisheries. One of the most pressing questions lately has been fuel prices. Since March, the cost of marine fuel has nearly doubled from around €1 per litre in 2025 to €2 today.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “I also share these concerns and we will work on the proposals shared. Some could be addressed by better implementation, but some may require targeted amendments. Moreover, the evidence from this evaluation will now feed into the major initiatives ahead. Our vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Ocean Act and the negotiations on the next long term budget. We are also making good progress on defining the funding rules for our fisheries policy for the next EU budget, and I want to thank the Cypriot presidency for the good progress that we have had on this topic during their mandate. Having the Fisheries and National budgetary plans ready for January 2028, before the start of the new EU budget is a top priority. Ministers also looked ahead to the next Med Fish Forever ministerial declaration, which will reflect the commitment of EU and Mediterranean third countries to continue their cooperation to rebuild Mediterranean fish stocks. Building on our meeting in Cyprus in May, the Commission will now begin drafting the new declaration for signature in 2027. Before concluding, I would like to thank Maria and the Cypriot presidency for the exemplary work and determination they have demonstrated overall, but also in particular in the areas of my portfolio The Cypriot presidency understood the concerns of the fisheries sector and demonstrated great leadership in addressing them. In particular, this is evident in the proposals of the presidency as concerns the next MFF, and it is also evident in the important and meaningful discussions we launched under the Cypriot presidency for the future of our Common Fisheries Policy. I think the Cypriot colleagues can be proud of a truly successful presidency. So thank you and I'm happy to take any questions.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “We need targeted support for small scale fishers. Investment in youth and gender equality, and modern working conditions. To do this, we must continue to be guided by solidarity principles. As no country, no community, no future can do it alone. Finally, let me stress that we must honour our global obligations to protect our ocean. Hence, I'm fully convinced of the importance of expanding marine protected areas and designating new fisheries restricted areas. The benefit of those measures are backed by science and embraced by fishers. I therefore call on you. I therefore call on your support for proposing. This year in the gfcm, the establishment of the 800m fisheries restricted area. This is low hanging fruit. A small but critical step step towards a sustainable future, as ascertained by a dedicated Gfcm working group earlier this year, as well as pilot projects performed by several member states. This measure would have a minimal socioeconomic impact. While it would have an important environmental positive impact, which in the medium to longer term would benefit substantially our sector. The EU must continue to lead by example as well as we always have. Regarding the next steps, the Commission will now begin drafting the next ministerial declaration guided by your input. Our aim is to prepare an actionable framework ready for signature, when we will reconvene in 2027 under the Hellenic Presidency of the Council. So rest assured you will be fully consulted at every stage. Colleagues, together, let's turn ambition into reality. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Fleet overcapacity pushes stocks to the brink, and too often, compliance is still treated as optional rather than essential. And here I would like to thank Italy on its recent actions to address imports delivered from overfished stocks originating from Tunisia. Also, thanks to the use of the new IT catch system, the EU has zero tolerance to IUU fishing and this applies also to the Mediterranean. I do hope that other member States will follow this example and use all the functionalities of it. Catch to protect our market from imports stemming from IUU fishing. Another important challenge is climate change, which is altering marine ecosystems faster than ever. With increased sea water temperatures and the exponential spread of nonindigenous species. Against this background in Cyprus, we collectively identified the following priorities for the next decade. Stronger governance compliance is not optional. It represents one of the pillars of sustainability, and we must reinforce our actions against against IUU fishing. Here I also want to stress that compliance from all parties, EU Member states and our third countries partners is essential for the sake of our shared resources and ultimately for our sector also to reach and maintain a level playing field between all, fully all fleets. We must fully implement existing gfcm management plans and develop new ones, ensuring fishing mortality sustainably controlled for all key commercial stocks. We must climate proof our fisheries management, support nature positive aquaculture and turn the challenges like invasive species, into economic opportunities.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “For a sector where fuel can account for up to 50% of operating costs, this is a crisis. Early estimates suggest that every ten cent increase in fuel prices wipes 156 €56 million of the fleet's annual profits. The European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund is there to help, but long term structural change is needed. And with all the difficulties, we should see this crisis as an opportunity. It underscores the importance of accelerating the energy transition and continuing our innovation efforts. We also need to invest in gear, which is more selective, less fuel intensive and more fuel efficient. We are not always consistent in this, and we must ensure a balance between fleet capacity and fishing opportunities as part of a sustainable business model for our fisheries. M5 can provide support in that direction. At the same time, we must work towards modernising and decarbonising our fleet, supporting our small scale fishers and rendering fisheries attractive for the young generation. The sector faces an aging workforce low, low wages and concerns over economic uncertainty and instability. We cannot afford losing generations of fishers. That is why the commission is working to incorporate international trading standards into EU law, making the profession safer and more professional. But we must tackle the root causes impeding generational renewal. Better wages through higher profitability and healthy fish stocks, modernised fleets and reduced bureaucracy because no one should drown in paperwork while trying to make a living at sea. This is about social sustainability, a core pillar of the CFP.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you. Good afternoon to everyone. As the minister said, we have just concluded a substantive, substantive Fisheries Council, and I would like to share with you its main outcomes from the Commission's point of view. We began with our annual communication on sustainable fishing. I told the ministers what I am telling you now, the European fishing sector stands at a critical juncture. We have made real progress since 2013. More stocks are being fished sustainably. These are hard won victories and the proof that science based management can deliver. But we are not there yet. Many stocks, especially in the Mediterranean, remain overfished. The Baltic is also in a very critical situation due to environmental pressures. The availability of fish is also declining in crucial fisheries of the north east Atlantic, and the sector is under pressure from every direction. Climate change and aging workforce. Low wages and fuel prices that have nearly doubled since March. My message to the minister was clear. Ocean health and economic performance are two sides of the same coin. We need to continue our efforts to fish sustainably. We then turn to the way forward after the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation. I was encouraged by a broad agreement around the table that the objectives and principles we said in 2013 remain relevant and should continue to provide the basis for our policy. At the same time, I noted the concerns raised by the member states on the need to ensure that our tools are sufficiently adapted to present and future realities. Ministers raised the issues that matter most to them predictability and stability, including through multiannual catch limits, simplification, fleet modernisation and decarbonisation. Generational renewal and the future of aquaculture.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “The second is the allocation of these opportunities among member states. This is a matter falling within the competence of the Council and Member States. In this context, I understand your concerns about the impact of a reduction in overall fishing opportunities on the individual national allocations, but this stems primarily from the current allocation key and not from the methodology used by the Commission to negotiate the overall level of opportunities with Mauritania. I would therefore be. It would therefore be neither appropriate nor sustainable for the Commission to inflate the overall volume of fishing opportunities to accommodate the allocation concerns between Member States, which I understand. For that reason, we are exploring legal and practical mechanisms to facilitate access to unused fishing opportunities, as well as to include review clauses in our agreement with Mauritania, which will enable us to increase fishing opportunities if during implementation, the agreed levels are indeed utilised. Regarding competition from third country fleets. I fully agree that a level playing field is essential, and this remains one of the core objectives of our negotiations with Mauritania. We consistently insist on transparency regarding access granted to third countries and on non-discriminatory treatment for EU vessels. So let me conclude by reassuring ministers that the Commission remains fully engaged to securing a balanced agreement with Mauritania, an agreement that safeguards the interests of the EU fleet, preserves the union's strategic presence in the region, and remains fully consistent with our sustainability and financial responsibility objectives. We will continue to work closely with Member States and keep them informed as negotiations move forward. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Yes. Thank you. Maria. And I would like to thank Latvia for raising this important issue. The Commission fully recognizes the strategic importance of the EU Mauritania Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, both for the EU fleet and for the EU's presence in West Africa. We remain fully committed to concluding a new protocol as quickly as possible, avoiding any interruption of fishing activities. But this cannot come at any price. It must remain economically sound, scientifically justified and financially responsible. Since January, we have held four rounds of negotiations with Mauritania. Substantial progress has been made, with most technical provisions already agreed. Fishing opportunities and the financial package are sensitive elements, and they remain open. On fishing opportunities, as highlighted by the European Court of Auditors. The Commission has a responsibility to act on the basis of two essential elements the actual utilization of fishing opportunities and the latest available scientific advice. Several key stocks, including sardine and Sardinella, are assessed as over as overexploited and require reductions in fishing pressure. Stocks such as mackerel and horse mackerel are already being exploited at maximum sustainable limits, leaving no scientific basis for increasing fishing opportunities beyond the current level of catches by the EU fleet. Moreover, the utilisation of some fishing opportunities remains significantly below the levels available. We therefore cannot justify maintaining fishing opportunities and corresponding financial contribution that are neither supported by science nor by actual uptake. We fully acknowledge the particular dependence of the Latvian fleet on Mauritanian waters. However, we must distinguish. Distinguish two separate issues. The first is the overall level of fishing opportunities negotiated with Mauritania. This is the Commission's responsibility and must be based on science, sustainability and actual use by the EU fleet.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Our policies must work for the people behind the profession. The landing obligation was meant to end the wasteful practice of discard and to fish more selectively, but results have fallen short of expectations. Illegal discarding persists, most of the times both undetected and unreported. We know that in certain fisheries, discards can reach 80% of the catches, if not more. Therefore, we must continue investing in innovation and more selective fishing practices while ensuring that catches and discards are properly reported from 2028. High risk vessels over 18m will be required to install remote remote electronic monitoring. This is a step forward towards more digitalised and effective control, but also for better science and sound fisheries management. Dear colleagues, fish don't know borders. We will continue our efforts to secure sustainable agreements in collaboration with third countries and close partners like Norway and the UK. Setting quotas in line with scientific advice while taking into account socio economic considerations. In this context, our work with the UK under the specialised Committee on Fisheries is crucial. This is where we can work through issues together, through issues together, including our shared objective of rebuilding depleted stocks. Mackerel remains an important challenge. Last year, the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands set a quota 71% above scientific advice. The European Union promoted and defended a decision grounded in science but ultimately aligned for level playing considerations for our own fleets. However, this situation is not sustainable. We cannot have a race to the bottom where some countries exploit share stocks while others bear the cost.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “This is not sustainable. As regards a level playing field. I have heard your calls and fully agree. This is an area where we can do more through a more effective implementation of the tools we have, but also through regional and international cooperation, and we will work in that direction. I hear your calls on ensuring that the framework remains sufficiently adaptable to future challenges and evolving realities. Realities. This will be an important theme in the upcoming initiatives and namely, the Commission's Vision 2040 for fisheries and Aquaculture, which will include the External Action Strategy and the Energy Transition Roadmap. In the early autumn, we are working hard to deliver the Ocean Act, aiming to strengthen coherence across ocean related policies and the further steps in the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial framework. Because funding remains the enabler to deliver on policy and reforms. Adaptability to new realities was also a central theme in the first EU Coastal Community Strategy, adopted by the Commission on the 10th of June, and seeking to strengthen the support to the economic, social and environmental resilience of Europe's coastal regions. All these initiatives will strongly benefit from the evidence and the overall findings of the evaluation we just concluded and from today's discussions. Moreover, as regards the possible need for targeted amendments. Having listened to you, the Parliament, but also the stakeholders, I will consider making a proposal to the College of Commissioners, subject to the Commission's better regulation procedures. I am fully Committed to continuing working very closely with you on this matter. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you. Maria. Dear colleagues, good morning. I will. I welcome the continuous efforts of the presidency towards a partial general approach on this important file and all the good progress made so far. A partial general approach on the NRP regulation was reached last week after long standing discussions by the end of June. We also expect to reach a partial general approach on the performance regulation, as well as the ESF, Interreg, eRDF and Cohesion Fund regulations. Maintaining alignment between these sectoral proposal discussed today and the NRP proposal, as well as the Performance Regulation proposal. Performance regulation proposal is crucial for ensuring consistency of the rules that will be important for programming and later implementation. I believe that the CFP thematic regulation, as amended by the Presidency Compromises released so far, addresses a number of concerns expressed by the Member States. I refer in particular to the reinforced focus on fisheries and aquaculture, and to the introduction of mandatory provisions on control and data collection. These amendments cater for the specificities of the CFP and ensure its visibility while providing a consistent framework for the integration of the CFP into the NRP plans. While the Commission reserves its overall position in view of a possible partial general approach and subsequent interinstitutional negotiations, let me nevertheless underline some observations with respect to some of the changes which you propose to introduce to our initial proposal. First, I would like to recall that it is important to ensure activities implementing the Ocean Pact get support.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “Yeah. Regarding a possible targeted revision and simplification of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, um, we will very soon announce a call for evidence, and we hope to present our proposal for the targeted amendment of MMF um, by the beginning of autumn.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “It has already proven its success in fighting IUU fishing thanks to real time EU wide data. Its effectiveness depends on responsible and full use by all EU importers and competent authorities of member states. The recent blockage by Italy of Tunisian red shrimp stemming from IUU, which I already referred to in my earlier intervention on fish forever, proves that catch works. Initial technical challenges with catch have been addressed, and new functionalities are progressively added to the application based on the collective experience. The Commission continues to monitor closely. Sorry. Added. Based on our collective experience, the Commission continues to monitor closely the uptake of catch and to guide Member States in its harmonised implementation For example, flexibility for all third countries will be extended until the 10th of October. Regarding the three new data fields of the catch certificate, this will give operators and Member States additional time to to sensitize non-EU suppliers. In view of enforcing the new requirements at EU borders. Dear colleagues, the Commission has taken note of your calls and fully shares the objectives of simple implementation and reduction of administrative burden. A balance will need to be struck between these and the robustness and effectiveness of control measures. I am confident that we can and we will achieve this result by working together. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “The Mediterranean annual plans, including the investment map to reflect on the insufficiencies identified through their implementation, through their implementation so far, and we expect to proceed with the proposal in early autumn. The Commission made a move to facilitate the energy transition of the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector by adopting in February last year an action plan encompassing a set of measures to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and aiming towards climate neutral fisheries and aquaculture sector. The commission also proposed measures to support the sector in accelerating its energy transition by improving fuel efficiency and switching to renewable, low carbon power sources. One of the key actions in the Energy Transition Partnership for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture to collectively address the challenges of the sector's. Energy. Energy transition. The union works with third countries under international agreements and arrangements, including through annual consultations on fishing opportunities and under the umbrella of multilateral and regional organisations. And this is also important for control with the UK. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement helps to ensure that there is no extreme regulatory divergence. However, we also need to be realistic. The EU. Uk and Norway have regulatory autonomy, so ensuring an aligned approach between jurisdictions is not always possible.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you. Maria. Dear colleagues, let me start by extending my sincere gratitude to all of you who joined me for the Fish Forever Conference in Cyprus beginning of May and for your contributions. And many thanks to you, Maria, for hosting us. I was very pleased to see such strong, high level representation from around the Mediterranean. I take it as a sign of renewed commitment to shaping together our common sea for the next decade and for the next generations. We had fruitful discussions on the vital role of fisheries and aquaculture, not only as a cornerstone, a cornerstone of our coastal communities and economies, but also as deeply embedded in the cultural and traditional fabric of our communities. We all agreed that this has been meaningful progress since the adoption of the Fish Forever Declaration in 2017. And more specifically, half of the Mediterranean fish stocks started recovering, and science backed management is now the norm, with stronger data multiannual plans and fisheries restricted areas making maximum sustainable yield achievable for the first time. So we can be proud of this progress. However, during our exchanges, participants were also clear that we have urgent challenges ahead of us. Despite the drop of the percentage of overexploited stocks, overfishing still persists. Over half of fish stocks that are assessed remain overexploited and too many stocks remain unassessed. Fragile habitats are still under threat, and sustained action is therefore still needed to secure healthy ecosystems that can support the thriving fishing sector. Furthermore, illegal fishing continues to undermine honest fisheries.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Yes, Maria. Um, dear colleagues, thank you for this enriching debate. Eat. We have taken. Well note of your remarks, as many of you underlined. All in all, the CFP regulation remains a very important and relevant tool to manage a common natural resource and related economic activity in a changing world. I have some comments on certain of the issues that you raised. I see the need for supporting fleet renewal, modernisation and decarbonisation. Of course, under strict preconditions, I witnessed this need during my missions across the European Union as regards capacity ceilings. It is crucial to ensure that the fishing capacity of the fleet remains in balance with the available fishing opportunities, so that we avoid overfishing and we respect our international commitments. This was also ensure sustainable fisheries management but also will guarantee a sound business model. Several member states already have a substantial margin between the active capacity of their fleets and their fishing capacity ceiling. They can and should allocate this margin where needed to facilitate the modernisation of the fleet. I agree with you that energy transition is key to the competitiveness of the sector. A truly future proof and attractive sector needs business models that are not only viable but also flexible and sustainable. Mff support remains critical in this regard, and this is why we are finalising internal Preparations. In view of aligning the M5 regulation to the new WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, but also to further simplifying the implementation of our fund. I agree with many of you that the landing obligation did not bring the expected results of selective fishing behaviour or catch composition. We will need, therefore to consider alternative solutions. However, we cannot go back to a situation of discards up to 40 or 60% of the total catches.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Dear Maria, please allow me also to thank you and the Cypriot presidency for the exemplary work and determination you have demonstrated overall, but also in the areas of my portfolio. You understood the concerns of the fisheries sector and have demonstrated great leadership in addressing them. In particular, it is evident in the proposals of the presidency concerning the new MFF. It is also evident in the important and meaningful discussions we launched under the Cypriot presidency for the future of our Common Fisheries Policy. During the Cypriot presidency. We reiterated our commitment to coastal and island communities with the first ever dedicated strategies, and we have continued our efforts to render the EU a global leader on ocean related issues. With the adoption of the ocean, I. You can be truly proud of your efforts and I want to thank you and all colleagues from the Cypriot presidency for your great achievements. And of course, I look forward to continuing this great work with the Irish presidency. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “The commission will continue to push for Comprehensive sharing arrangements because without them, no one wins. But this is not the end of the problems. Russia continues behaving irresponsibly and continues increasing its share for this stock. This is why the EU has put forward control measures in the in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. However, all states need to implement it. Hence the call on Norway and the Faroe Islands to join in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Regional cooperation under the Gfcm remains essential for the sustainable management of shared resources. The annual implementation of the Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan has avoided further deterioration, deterioration of stocks while allowing our sector to continue fishing, albeit more sustainably. These sustainability efforts should continue as there is a real risk of delaying stock recovery and undermining the efforts achieved so far. Dear colleagues, the choices we make will determine whether European fisheries thrive or decline. Our decisions must safeguard the stocks our fisheries rely on while ensuring a balance with social and economic considerations. We have the tools, the CFP, scientific advice and international partnerships, and we are working on modernising these tools and adapting them to today's realities where needed. In parallel, we must invest in fleet modernization, energy transition, generational renewal and support to our small scale fishers. The road ahead won't be easy, but if we act decisively, fairly, and together we can ensure that European fisheries remain prosperous, proud and sustainable for decades to come. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Dear colleagues, thank you very much for your valuable comments and contributions of which we have taken. Good note and I will comment on certain of the topics you raised. Um, as I already mentioned, I agree with you that the landing obligation has not delivered the expected results, and we will look into the root causes of this and which measures we can adopt to address unwanted discards. But it is clear that we must tackle this issue. The issue of discards, which are at odds with our food security policy and undermine the sustainability and long term viability of our sector. These considerations will be central to our 2040 vision, which we will present next autumn. I fully recognise the challenges faced and appreciate the efforts already undertaken by our Mediterranean fleets to apply conservation measures, alongside an effort to rejoin. These measures have allowed for fishers to continue fishing in the Mediterranean, and we must continue to ensure that this is done in a sustainable manner in order not to undue the efforts already undertaken, and I am committed to make sure that the best available science is there to guide our decisions as regards sustainable fishing efforts. And as I promised, we have initiated the procedures foreseen in our legal framework for amending the maps.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you. Maria. Dear ministers. I thank the presidency for the initiative to put this topic for reflection on the agenda of this Council. As you mentioned, Maria, we have already presented the findings of the evaluation of the CFP regulation in the informal ministerial meeting we held in Cyprus early May. I will therefore not repeat them in the same detail here, but focus on a few key messages and takeaways from the evaluation and from our first discussions in Cyprus. The evaluation confirms that the approach adopted in 2013 to reconcile the three core objectives of the CFP environmental, economic and social sustainability remains valid. It also shows that performance of the CFP basic regulation is often driven as much by implementation tools, such as technical measures and multiannual plans regulations as by the overarching framework. It is clear that achieving conservation objectives and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems underpins the long term socio economic prosperity of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. At the same time, there is a growing demand for quantifying socio economic impact and integration of socio economic considerations within scientific advice so as to guide policy making. External disruptions such as Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine, Brexit and systemic changes such as demographic ageing, geopolitical shifts and accelerating climate change are increasingly affecting fisheries and aquaculture. While these factors go beyond the direct remit of the CFP regulation, stakeholders expect the policy framework to offer ways to respond and adapt. The CFP regulation contains provisions to manage this shift, but it requires changes in practice, including simplification and how scientific advice is used as regards Simplification, I can assure you that we have heard the call for.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “We have heard the call and our work as regards. The simplification for the multiannual plans is advancing quickly. The Commission has launched a call for evidence to gather views on how we can make the Multiannual plans easier to implement, improve legal clarity and address I I challenges. As indicated in your background note. We need to reflect on how to better support fleet modernisation and its energy transition, generational renewal and the small scale fishers. You also stressed the importance to provide stability for the sectors, including through multiannual total allowable catches. We made huge progress here and now we are setting multi-annual tax already for half of the EU managed Atlantic stocks. We will continue to explore their possible wider application with the support of the scientific community, including national scientific institutes. I am pleased to report significant progress on the development of social indicators such as accidents at sea, working hours, amount of seasonal work with the aim to enhance decision making in this regard. I am happy to announce that we have published the first social report with the support of the scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries Staff on the 19th of June. Internationally. The evaluation underlines that the EU remains a frontrunner and strong advocate for sustainable fisheries. We need to maintain and reinforce this leadership on aquaculture. The evaluation points to the limits of non-binding EU tools, where measures rely mainly on guidance and voluntary voluntary uptake. Progress can be uneven and too slow, particularly in areas such as administrative simplification and enabling conditions for growth.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “The Council has endorsed in its conclusions on the 27th of November the strategic importance of the Ocean Pact. It would be logical that this is equally recognised in the future MFF. Second, Considering our aging fleet, I understand the call of several member states for the possibility to finance fleet construction, modernization, and decarbonization. My view is that investment in fishing vessels could be possible under certain conditions. In particular, it could not. It should not contribute to overfishing and should respect our international commitments, particularly the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries subsidies that prohibit harmful subsidies to the fishing industry. This discussion will take place in the framework of the Do Not Significant Harm guidance and should not be prejudged here. They do not. Significant harm principle is part of the performance regulation and together with the NRP regulation will be part of the future MFF legal architecture. The aim is not to reproduce or change environmental standards set out in other pieces of EU legislation, including the CFP Basic regulation, which is under review, but to operationalize it. Dear colleagues, I believe that it is possible to make important progress on these files still today and certainly by the end of this month, and my services and I stand ready to work with you and the presidency in that respect. So I look forward to hearing your views on this. And let me once again thank and congratulate the presidency for all the work done so far.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “Dear colleagues, the effective and consistent implementation of the EU Fisheries Control Regulation and IUU regulation by all Member States and operators is essential for fisheries sustainability and level playing field across the Union. In this context, our approach to secondary legislation aims to be proportionate, pragmatic, efficient and fully implementable without introducing unnecessary burdens. My services are working in a in an inclusive and transparent manner to implement the control regulation with a key simplification goal. The important Implementation act. The important implementing act on the weighing of fisheries products is a case in point. Extensive discussions with Member States and stakeholders allowed to balance control effectiveness with ease of implementation. As pointed out by Germany, work will continue with that same inclusive and balanced approach on implementing acts concerning engine power control, remote electronic monitoring and technical specifications for traceability, reporting for fresh and frozen fisheries and aquaculture products. I have listened to your calls about reliable and user friendly IT applications. We have indeed been working on the development of IT tools to facilitate Member States compliance with the new reporting requirements of the Control Regulation. The Mobile Application for Reporting Catches for Recreational Fisheries has been successfully launched earlier this year. We are also developing another application to facilitate and simplify reporting obligations of catches and tracking for small scale fishermen. Catch is also an important IT tool, recently developed, operational since only five months.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-09 “Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, While I regret that I cannot be with you in person, I am honoured to address this Annual European Coast Guard Event. EMSA, EFCA, and Frontex are indispensable in supporting national authorities to safeguard our waters, as part of the EU's maritime security. The European Ocean Pact is clear: coast guard cooperation is central to protecting our oceans. Stronger inter-agency cooperation on coast guard functions is essential to tackle our shared challenges; from combating illegal fishing to pollution response, and from ensuring maritime safety to protecting our borders. Today's event highlights the progress achieved in your operational cooperation, whether on sharing information and capacity, surveillance, capacity building or risk analysis. Let me share with you the example of the Common Information Sharing Environment. It shows that by breaking down silos between civil and military operators, we can strengthen our Maritime Domain Awareness. The European Ocean Pact, of which maritime security is an important component, is not just a vision—it is a commitment to action. And you are at the very heart of delivering it. You bring the expertise, the operational strength, and the cross-border collaboration needed to turn its ambitions into reality. To reinforce this, we are now taking a landmark step: the Ocean Act. It will strengthen Europe's legal and policy framework for coherent, sustainable, and secure ocean governance. A key priority of our Ocean Pact is supporting coastal and island communities, especially our outermost regions. And there is no better example of Europe's maritime strength and resilience than the Azores. This archipelago is more than a strategic asset; it is a living testament to both the challenges and the opportunities facing our outermost regions, our islands and our coastal areas. We know these communities face unique pressures: climate vulnerability, economic strains, and the unsustainable burdens of overtourism. That is why the Commission is taking concrete actions. Tomorrow, the Commission will adopt the Islands Strategy and the Coastal Communities Strategy and in July we will adopt a package of measures on Outermost Regions. Together, these strategies and tools will empower local communities to shape their own futures. Last week, the Commission also unveiled OceanEye, a flagship initiative that will redefine global ocean monitoring. Reliable data is vital for climate action, maritime safety, and blue economy innovation. Through the International Alliance for Ocean Observation, we will bring together global partners to: • Expand our observing capacities, with drones, sensors, vessels. • Improve data sharing for better climate and ocean insights. • Strengthen the Digital Twin of the Ocean. The Azores, with their marine science expertise, are natural leaders in this effort. The challenges we face demand collective solutions. Our strength lies in partnership. To the staff of our agencies: your work is the bedrock of Europe's maritime safety and security. Let us use this event to deepen collaboration and forge a secure, sustainable future for our oceans. I wish you productive discussions.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions
• 2026-05-22 “Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 22.5.2026 Written question In 2025, the EU’s aquatic food self-sufficiency rose to 38.1%, the first increase since 2018 [1] . The Commission works to increase food security. First, with sound fisheries management in EU waters to boost biomass and healthy marine ecosystems, optimising domestic fisheries, though the resource is finite and improvements are fragile. Second, maintaining fishing rights in third countries via Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements and participation in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Third, and most importantly, promoting the sustainable development of EU aquaculture through a framework based on the Commission’s strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture [2] and Member States’ multiannual national strategic plans for aquaculture. The Commission supports Member States in implementing these plans and in applying the Commission’s Strategic Guidelines, through guidance, funding and the exchange of good practices. Progress depends on effective implementation by Member States, in particular in areas such as licensing and access to space and water, which remain primarily under their competence [3] . Regarding imports, EU Free Trade Agreements typically include sustainability provisions, including on international labour standards, while the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies curbs harmful subsidies. The Commission is also exploring sustainability criteria for the Autonomous Tariff Quota regime for fisheries products. Ongoing evaluations, including the regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy [4] , Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture [5] , and the EU Strategy for Fisheries External Action, integrate these efforts. [1] https://eumofa.eu/-the-eu-fish-market-2025-edition-is-online. This excludes catch of EU long-distance fleets landed in third countries and exported to the EU. [2] https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/ocean/blue-economy/aquaculture/aquaculture-guidelines_en. [3] See the Mid-term assessment of the implementation of the ‘Strategic guidelines for EU aquaculture’ and the ‘Multi-annual National Strategic Plans’ for aquaculture: https://aquaculture.ec.europa.eu/key-documents/mid-term-assessment-implementation-strategic-guidelines-eu-aquaculture-and-multi. [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1380/oj. [5] https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-seeks-feedback-future-fisheries-and-aquaculture-sector-2026-02-24_en.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-05-13 “Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 13.5.2026 Written question To facilitate implementation of the reporting obligations for recreational fisheries, and in line with Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 (the Control Regulation), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 [1] , the Commission at the request of 13 Member States developed the digital system RecFishing. While the regulation requires daily reporting for certain species, Member States determine how the daily requirement is implemented and enforced nationally, including whether reporting is immediate or within 24 hours. The RecFishing mobile app accommodates these choices and allows reporting in line with Art. 55 of the Control Regulation, including offline, with data transmitted once connectivity is restored. While the Commission provides an electronic reporting system, it is the responsibility of Member States to define national rules on data collection and ensure the necessary enforcement, taking into account proportionality. During its meeting of 15 April 2026, the Working Group on Recreational Fisheries (WGRF) addressed possible challenges of a digital divide and discussed how to support fishers without mobile phone. The Commission develops, operates and maintains the RecFishing system to support data collection under Art. 55 of the Control Regulation. The current focus is to deploy core functionalities that can improve usability and acceptance, which will result in better data. It is a key objective of the Commission and Member States to develop tools to improve data quality to support future analysis. Finally, the roll-out of RecFishing was not postponed. As this is normal practice for large IT systems, it was launched progressively in the concerned Member States, following a pre-agreed schedule. Developments are discussed and agreed with Member States within the WGRF. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-05-12 “answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 12.5.2026 Written questions E-10-2026-001045_EN E-10-2026-001097_EN E-10-2026-001125_EN E-10-2026-001287_EN The Commission is continuously monitoring and projecting potential impacts of the situation in the Middle East. While there are no immediate concerns for the EU’s security of supply, prices, particularly for refined products like diesel face significant volatility. This has direct consequences and dire economic and social implications for the EU, in particular for primary agricultural production and fisheries. As regards fisheries, pursuant to Article 26(2) of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation, the Commission has activated a crisis support mechanism in case of an exceptional event causing a significant disruption of markets [1] . The Commission invites Member States to proceed with the relevant processes to make support available to the sectors under their national EMFAF programmes and in line with the established EU rules. The Commission is aware that the situation may require going beyond EMFAF to support as efficiently as possible undertakings whose economic activity is directly hit by this crisis. Therefore, the Commission has adopted a temporary state aid framework which will allow aid for the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products [2] . Member States will be able to use the new temporary crisis framework, in addition to the standard state aid rules applicable to the fishery sector, to support the sector. The Commission has also put forward the AccelerateEU initiative [3] to alleviate the situation for businesses and consumers. Considering the importance of learning from crisis situations, the Commission underlines that sustainable business models and energy transition remain pivotal for the resilience of fisheries sector and its competitiveness. [1] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/889 of 16 April 2026 establishing the situation in the Middle East as of 28 February 2026 as the occurrence of an exceptional event causing a significant disruption of markets: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2026/889/oj. [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_894. [3] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/strategy/accelerateeu-strengthen-eu-energy-resilience_en.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-05-12 “answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 12.5.2026 Written questions E-10-2026-001045_EN E-10-2026-001097_EN E-10-2026-001125_EN E-10-2026-001287_EN The Commission is continuously monitoring and projecting potential impacts of the situation in the Middle East. While there are no immediate concerns for the EU’s security of supply, prices, particularly for refined products like diesel face significant volatility. This has direct consequences and dire economic and social implications for the EU, in particular for primary agricultural production and fisheries. As regards fisheries, pursuant to Article 26(2) of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation, the Commission has activated a crisis support mechanism in case of an exceptional event causing a significant disruption of markets [1] . The Commission invites Member States to proceed with the relevant processes to make support available to the sectors under their national EMFAF programmes and in line with the established EU rules. The Commission is aware that the situation may require going beyond EMFAF to support as efficiently as possible undertakings whose economic activity is directly hit by this crisis. Therefore, the Commission has adopted a temporary state aid framework which will allow aid for the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products [2] . Member States will be able to use the new temporary crisis framework, in addition to the standard state aid rules applicable to the fishery sector, to support the sector. The Commission has also put forward the AccelerateEU initiative [3] to alleviate the situation for businesses and consumers. Considering the importance of learning from crisis situations, the Commission underlines that sustainable business models and energy transition remain pivotal for the resilience of fisheries sector and its competitiveness. [1] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/889 of 16 April 2026 establishing the situation in the Middle East as of 28 February 2026 as the occurrence of an exceptional event causing a significant disruption of markets: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2026/889/oj. [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_894. [3] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/strategy/accelerateeu-strengthen-eu-energy-resilience_en.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-30 “E-000700/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Several financial support options are available, both under the Portuguese European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme and State aid. EMFAF can be used for: (i) repair of destroyed maritime infrastructure, such as fishing ports, auction halls, landing sites and shelters, storage facilities; (ii) replacement of fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing equipment, such as nets, refrigerated storage equipment, etc, and (iii) compensation for temporary cessation of activities for fishers, provided that Portugal officially recognises the storms as a natural disaster 1 . The purchase of new fishing vessels is not permitted under EMFAF, but where damage still allows for feasible repairs, EMFAF can support on-board investments aimed at improving working and safety conditions. Portugal may also consider granting State aid to support the fisheries sector: (i) under the "de minimis" Regulation 2 , aid of EUR 30 000/40 000 over three fiscal years per beneficiary may be granted to compensate for storm-related losses (e.g. repair costs) or, in the case of outermost regions, to finance new vessels under 12 meter; (ii) under a compensation regime pursuant to Art 49 of the FIBER Regulation 3 , without notification to the Commission: either to cover repair costs, or loss of revenue for fishers for six months if their production tools (i.e. their vessels) are destroyed, provided that Portugal officially recognises the storms as a natural disaster. The compensated costs must be directly linked to the storms damage and (iii) an exceptional compensation regime could also be notified to the Commission under the State aid Guidelines for fisheries 4 , following similar conditions and covering the same eligible costs as the FIBER aids. The aid must be notified to the Commission. 1 Within the meaning of Article 21.2.e of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004. 2 Commission Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 of 27 June 2014 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector (OJ L 190, 28.6.2014, p. 45). 3 Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2473 of 14 December 2022 declaring certain categories of aid to undertakings active in the production, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (OJ L 327, 21.12.2022, p. 82). 4 OJ C 107, 23.3.2023, p. 1. (Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 1.1).”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-29 “E-001188/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The European Union attaches great importance to the protection of Antarctic krill and to its critical role in the Antarctic ecosystem. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has generally ensured that the krill fishery in Antarctica remains at sustainable levels 1 , in accordance with the precautionary principle and ecosystem approach. Following the lack of agreement during the 43 rd CCAMLR annual meeting to retain a catch limit distribution mechanism, catches are increasingly concentrated in specific areas of the Antarctic Peninsula region, thereby negatively affecting these marine ecosystems, including krill-dependent predators such as penguins, seals, and whales. For this reason, the EU has strongly advocated during the 44 th CCAMLR annual meeting for the reintroduction, as a matter of urgency, of a distribution of the krill catch limit in the Antarctic Peninsula region on smaller spatial and temporal scales. At the same time the EU promotes improvements to the krill fishery management approach including via regular biomass surveys, better data collection and enhanced ecosystem monitoring. The EU also supports the harmonisation of the revised krill management approach with spatial management measures through proposals to create marine protected areas, which would contribute to safeguarding key krill habitats and foraging grounds. 1 CCAMLR decided that the catch will be regulated within a 620 000 tonne ‘trigger’ level, which represents approximately 1% of the estimated 60 million tonnes of the unexploited biomass, or virgin size, of the krill population across four regions in the southwest Atlantic.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-29 “E-001057/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The EU financial contribution under Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs), in line with Article 32(1) of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, has two components. The first covers access to fisheries resources and is paid directly to the partner country’s government. Its use falls under national sovereignty and the Commission doesn’t monitor it and doesn’t have information on final recipients. In contrast, the second component, the sectoral support, is subject to strict monitoring and reporting. Partner countries must provide annual reports on their implementation, activities and beneficiaries. Progress is regularly assessed, including in the annual Joint Committee meetings which govern the implementation of the SFPAs, and payments depend on satisfactory implementation. More details are available in the ex-ante and ex-post evaluations, published on the website of the EU’s publication office 1 . The Commission regularly assesses the impact of SFPAs, including their economic relevance for the EU fleet, through the above-mentioned evaluations carried out before each protocol is concluded or renewed. These consistently show that SFPAs support the competitiveness and viability of the EU fishing fleet, including those of Spain and Portugal. They provide access to key fishing zones and resources not available in EU waters, ensure predictable and secure operating conditions for EU vessels, support year-round continuity of fishing activities, and help sustain sectoral employment and economic activity. The Commission’s conclusion is that SFPAs remain an essential tool for supporting the external dimension of the CFP, contributing both to sustainable fisheries and the economic performance of the EU fleet. 1 https://op.europa.eu/fr.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-28 “E-000797/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has not been notified about the incidents mentioned by the Honourable Member and does not dispose of sufficient information to assess their impact on fishing operations around Lampedusa Island. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 1 can support measures that contribute to the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, including actions to achieve a good environmental status as set out in Article 1(1) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 2 . Under specific conditions, the EMFAF can also provide for compensation to fishers for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. It remains within the competence of the Italian authorities to assess and, where appropriate, mobilise the relevant EMFAF resources in line with the objectives of Italy’s EMFAF programme. The Commission remains available to support Italy in the implementation of its EMFAF programme. In implementing their marine strategies, Member States are already obliged to protect the marine environment to achieve good environmental status. No further programmes are therefore envisaged. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004. 2 Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive).”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-27 “E-000673/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Fishery products imported into the EU are subject to official controls to verify compliance with EU food safety and animal health legislation, and controls to prevent the import of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing products. The outcome of both controls must be satisfactory to allow entry into the EU. The EU catch certification scheme established by the IUU Regulation 1 aims to prevent the importation of IUU fishery products. Member States check catch certificates submitted for importation 2 and, where necessary, carry out verifications to ensure the legality of the products 3 . Third countries need to send to the Commission their flag State notification 4 , certifying they have in place national rules for the implementation, control and enforcement of conservation and management measures that their fishing vessels must comply with. From a sanitary perspective, third countries can export to the EU only from vessels that are listed as compliant with EU food safety legislation. Accordingly, the list of establishments in TRACES (IMSOC 5 ) is not a fisheries control tool, but a list of the establishments that can export to the EU on sanitary grounds. The Ghanaian fishing vessels were listed in TRACES before the suspension of their fishing licence by the responsible fisheries authorities. However, the listing in TRACES does not mean that the vessels have a valid fishing licence, that is included in the catch certificate. In case of concerns as to the legality of the catch, Member States can request a verification to confirm that the fishery products were legally caught. If Member States are not satisfied with the replies provided by the concerned third country, they must reject the fishery products, preventing them from entering the EU market. 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/2026-01-10. 2 Under Article 12 of the IUU Regulation. 3 Under Article 17 of the IUU Regulation. 4 Under Article 20 of the IUU Regulation. 5 IMSOC: Information management system for official controls to ensure compliance with agri-food chain rules.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-04-23 “E-000583/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. Under the Common Fisheries Policy, conservation measures must be based on the best available scientific advice and comply with the principle of proportionality. Where justified by conservation objectives, Member States may apply restrictions, including seasonal bans in marine protected areas (MPAs), even to low-intensity activities such as fishing tourism which may have cumulative impacts, particularly in sensitive areas or periods. Restrictions must be appropriate, non-discriminatory and proportionate, while taking into account relevant scientific evidence and socio-economic considerations. 2. Union law requires that measures with socio-economic implications be prepared in a transparent manner and, where appropriate, involve stakeholder consultation. The Commission supports the use of data collected under the Data Collection Framework and encourages Member States to ensure that decision-making is evidence-based and transparent. 3. Recreational fisheries play an important role from a biological, economic and social perspective. Considering the significant impacts of recreational fisheries on certain fish stocks, Member States shall exercise effective control of recreational fisheries, including an appropriate system of sanctions. EU legislation distinguishes between commercial and recreational fishing. The marketing or sale of catches from recreational fisheries is prohibited. Member States are responsible for ensuring effective control. The revised EU Fisheries Control Regulation 1 further strengthens monitoring through electronic catch reporting, improving transparency, and also supporting enforcement and helping prevent illegal practices. 1 Regulation (EU) 2023/2842.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-04-20 “E-000770/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission shares the concerns raised. However, Russian vessels are allowed to fish in the exclusive economic zone of West African countries based on bilateral fisheries agreements, as illustrated by the article mentioned by the Honourable Member. If such activities are authorised by the respective coastal States, they cannot be considered illegal. The EU, through its policy of zero-tolerance towards illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, its sustainable fisheries partnership agreements and its strong presence in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), works with several of these coastal States to help them increase their capabilities in fighting IUU fishing and boost their monitoring and surveillance activities in their own waters. As an example, thanks to the EU’s insistence, the 2023 and 2024 compliance reports highlighting several infringements involving Russian fishing vessels were endorsed in November 2025 by the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). Regarding Russia’s unsustainable fishing, the EU proposed control measures in certain RFMOs such as NEAFC and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation that were adopted to help prevent unsustainable practices on depleted stocks, such as pelagic redfish. The Commission will continue to work with Member States on similar measures for other stocks like mackerel. Constraining revenues funding Russia’s illegal war of aggression is a key goal of the EU’s sanctions imposed since February 2022. The selection of products subject to trade sanctions, such as import bans, depends on a case-by-case assessment, addressing notably their actual economic contribution to Russia’s budget and the impact on the EU supply. The adoption of EU sanctions ultimately lies with the Council of the EU.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022) · Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2026-04-14 “E-000589/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission To strengthen the effectiveness of the Union fisheries control system, the co-legislators introduced via Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 1 dedicated rules on the mandatory use of remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems on board certain catching vessels of 18 metres length or more posing a high risk of non-compliance with the landing obligation. To safeguard the right to privacy, recording will be limited to actively operated gear and parts of the vessels where fishery products are visible. These rules are distinct from a fully documented fisheries approach 2 as the scope is limited to monitoring compliance with the landing obligation. REM has been proven in several trials and studies by Member States to be an effective tool to ensure control and enforcement of the main risks associated with the landing obligation 3 . The REM provisions will start applying in January 2028, as provided in Article 7(7) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 and the Commission is actively preparing for it, including through the gradual development of secondary legislation. Going forward, the Commission considers important to take account of technological development for the monitoring and control of fisheries in the EU. While Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 does not task the Commission with conducting pilot projects on fully documented fisheries based on REM systems, the European Fisheries Control Agency maintains a working group on REM that ensures monitoring, coordination and technical guidance for voluntary REM pilot projects carried out by Member States to inform potential future deployment. 1 OJ L, 2023/2842, 20.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj. 2 Fully documented fishery is not a concept defined in the EU fisheries control framework. 3 The Danish Electronic monitoring in the Danish Kattegat (3AS) Nephrops fishery report stated: ‘Overall, the experience after three years of camera documented fisheries in Kattegat and the Baltic Sea is that camera documentation is an effective form of control, especially for documenting catches and thus compliance with the landing obligation. The assessment is also that there are no alternative control methods that can effectively control the landing obligation. From the perspective of the authorities, EM with cameras is therefore a very effective control tool’. Source: https://lfst.dk/Media/638597361463094390/Evaluation__Electronic_Monitoring_in_Kattegat__2021-2023_.pdf.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-04-14 “E-000723/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission In 2025, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) provided scientific advice for up to 120 stocks. Based on this, the GFCM adopted fishing days and catch limits –in line with the GFCM multiannual management plans (MAP) requirements– and established fishing days only for the demersal fisheries in the Adriatic Sea and the Strait of Sicily. As regards the Western Mediterranean, the Commission proposed fishing opportunities (FO) based on the advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. However, the Council adopted FO without consideration for this advice. The Greek European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme offers support 1 for sector resilience and competitiveness through diverse income-supporting activities like fleet modernisation, climate change impact mitigation, and training to enhance skills and income. The Commission works with the Greek EMFAF Managing Authority to ensure the programme aligns with the sector needs. The Commission deploys efforts to strengthen effectively the fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance mechanisms of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations in the Mediterranean Sea and to improve the culture of compliance with the relevant regional rules, such as via International Joint Inspection Schemes. EU Free Trade Agreements include sustainability provisions related to labour rights and environmental protection, which apply also to the fisheries sector. Within the Pact for the Mediterranean 2 , the Commission will work to increase the control and inspection capabilities of coastal states in order to enhance regional fisheries governance and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 1 Projects on small-scale fishing may receive up to 100% aid. 2 JOIN(2025) 26 final.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-04-01 “P-000846/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The conservation and management of critically endangered European eel must be based on fisheries and environmental considerations to tackle all human-induced mortalities. Member States take various measures through their eel management plans (EMP) under the Eel Regulation 1 and other legal instruments, such as the Fishing Opportunities Regulation 2 , Water Framework Directive 3 , Wildlife Trade Regulation 4 . The implementation of the EMPs is variable and the targets of the Eel Regulation have mostly not been met, as confirmed by the evaluation of the Eel Regulation 5 and by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) 6 . There are no signs of eel recovery. Further ambition is needed to address environmental mortalities, while continuing taking fisheries measures. Temporary fishing closures are set at the EU level and promoted by the EU at international level. Member States do not allow trade from and to the EU, whereas marketing in the EU is allowed. Some Member States took more stringent measures by listing European eel as strictly protected or prohibiting eel fishing all year. Under the Marine Action Plan 7 , the Commission called on Member States to improve the protection of eels and revise their EMPs or adopt the new plans in light of new knowledge and scientific advice 8 , and to strengthen a transboundary cooperation. The Nature Restoration 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel, OJ L 248, 22.9.2007, pp. 17–23. 2 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 of 26 January 2026 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters, and amending Regulation (EU) 2025/202,OJ L, 2026/249, Council Regulation (EU) 2026/266 of 26 January 2026 fixing for 2026 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, OJ L, 2026/266, 30.1.2026. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32000L0060. 4 Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. 5 Commission’s evaluation report (SWD/2020/0035 final) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020SC0035 and external study in support of this evaluation https://op.europa.eu/fr/publication-detail/-/publication/afe6ca55-5f58-11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1. 6 Details about a most recent progress of Member States in implementing their EMPs and measures under the Eel Regulation are provided in the ICES advice in subject published in 2025 https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/EU_request_for_technical_evaluation_of_the_Eel_Management_Plan_progre ss_reports/28381268?file=54121004 and in the ICES report from the Workshop in support of this advice https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/Workshop_for_the_Technical_Evaluation_of_EU_Member_States_Eel_Reg ulation_Progress_Reports_for_Submission_in_2024_2025_WKEMP4_/28788749?file=54098411. 7 EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries, COM/2023/102 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0102. 8 Most recent ICES advice published in November 2025: https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/European_eel_i_Anguilla_anguilla_i_throughout_its_natural_range/2720302 8?file=59290940 and ICES report from the Workshop in support of this advice, where country reports are annexed https://ices-”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-03-31 “E-000686/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are of increasing concern, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, a hotspot for invasions. The Commission collaborates with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) on these challenges. Several pilot projects and research programmes were launched for data collection and mitigation. The EU-funded GFCM pilot on NIS in the Eastern Mediterranean is gathering fisheries-dependent and independent data, for example on species’ abundance, helping close the knowledge gap. Establishing a NIS observatory will enhance data, knowledge and best practices, addressing the spread of these species in the region. The species referenced in the question are not on the list of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of EU concern under the IAS Regulation 1 and therefore do not fit within its scope. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Member States must address NIS to ensure good environmental status of the 11 descriptors. The commercial exploitation of NIS is a solution. If listed under the IAS Regulation, commercialisation could also be authorised, under certain conditions. In the Black Sea, managing Rapa Whelk’s spread and exploitation has controlled the species’ expansion, benefitting the fisheries-based economy. The GFCM adopted measures for sustainable fishing of this species 2 . The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) national programmes may support the monitoring, surveillance and mitigation of NIS. The EU encourages the use of EMFAF, which may be of benefit when species have less commercial value (e.g. Cyprus compensates fishers to target pufferfish intensively, aiming to regulate the population). 1 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35– 55. 2 Recommendation GFCM/47/2024/9 on management measures for the sustainable exploitation of rapa whelk in the Black Sea (geographical subarea 29).”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-03-30 “E-000539/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advises zero catches of the critically endangered European eel in all habitats, reducing non-fisheries mortalities to zero and restoring the eel habitats 1 . The conservation and management of European eel must be based on fisheries and environmental considerations to tackle all human-induced mortalities. Closing eel fisheries in isolation will not be sufficient to recover eels. Further ambition is needed to address environmental mortalities, while continuing to take fisheries measures. Member States take various measures through their eel management plans (EMP) under the Eel Regulation 2 and other legal instruments: - Temporary fishing closures are set at EU level under the Fishing Opportunities Regulation; - The Water Framework Directive requires a good status of waters, including river continuity 3 ; - The Nature Restoration Regulation requires restoring rivers to free-flowing 4 ; - In line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the trade of European eel from and to the EU remains strictly prohibited 5 . Regarding Spain, it has established one national EMP with several specific regional plans and one transboundary plan together with Portugal. Those plans contain various measures, such as reducing or closing fisheries, predator control, eel trap and transport, removing migration barriers, improving water quality, restocking 6 . 1 Most recent ICES advice published in November 2025: https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/European_eel_i_Anguilla_anguilla_i_throughout_its_natural_range/2720302 8?file=59290940 and ICES report from the Workshop in support of this advice, where country reports including for Spain are annexed https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/Joint_EIFAAC_ICES_GFCM_Working_Group_on_Eels_WGEEL_/304881 20. ICES Eel Stock Annex provides for a comprehensive assessment of the stock and the impacts on the stock: https://iceslibrary.figshare.com/articles/report/Stock_Annex_European_eel_i_Anguilla_anguilla_i_throughout_its_natural_r ange/24517486?file=43077457 2 Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel, OJ L 248, 22.9.2007, pp. 17–23. 3 The Water Framework Directive requires Member States, to implement measures to ensure that the status of water bodies, including as regards river continuity and fish communities, does not deviate, or only slightly, from undisturbed conditions. 4 The Nature Restoration Regulation requires Member States to make inventories of their artificial barriers to the connectivity of surface waters, and to plan for removals of barriers, primarily addressing obsolete ones, in order to reach the EU-wide objective of restoring 25000 km of rivers to free-flowing rivers between 2020 and 2030. 5 The competent scientific authorities of the EU Member States agreed unanimously that they would not be able to issue a non-detriment finding for the export of European eel specimens, as it is critically endangered, as required under Article IV(2)(a) of CITES. Therefore, since 2010, a zero-export quota has been issued and published on the CITES website. Regarding imports into the EU on European eel, the scientific review group decided on a general negative opinion for all range states since 2010. 6 EMP implementation is variable. Details about a most recent progress of Member States in implementing their EMPs and measures under the Eel Regulation, including by Spain, are provided in the ICES advice in subject”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-03-25 “E-000538/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. CATCH is a major step forward in the European Union’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It is operational as of 10 January 2026 and aligned to the legal requirements in the revised IUU Regulation 1 . On 23 February 2026 more than 12 500 importer declarations had been validated in CATCH, and no major disruption of trade has occurred. CATCH is a game changer as it harmonises import controls across Member States and levels the playing field between EU and non-EU fishers on the legality of products placed on our market. Developed in cooperation with Member States, CATCH is continuously adapted and updated based on experiences reported by all users. The Commission supports the mandatory use of CATCH decided by the co-legislators and does not plan to defer its full implementation. It is critical to maintain EU leadership in fighting IUU fishing. The Commission will continue to engage constructively with the Member States within the existing legal framework to find workable and effective technical solutions. 2. To ensure uniform implementation of CATCH and advise on timely solutions to confirmed general issues, the Commission has issued regular guidance to Member States, including ways to reduce workload. CATCH has multiple functionalities to reuse data that expands as the system is progressively used. 30% of the importer declarations are already based on digital interconnections of CATCH and non-EU systems. The Commission continues to encourage more countries to interconnect or use CATCH directly for free. Certifying catches from EU vessels in CATCH is compulsory only in limited cases under the IUU Regulation (Art. 14, 15), and Member States continue to use their existing systems in all other cases. 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Union system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02008R1005-20260110.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-03-17 “E-000320/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are of increasing concern and the Mediterranean Sea has become a hotspot for these invasions. The Commission works closely with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to address the related challenges. Several pilot projects and research programmes have been launched and will be paramount in collecting data and establishing mitigation measures. The European Ocean Pact 1 announced a dedicated policy initiative addressing the issue of NIS and the preparation of a document mapping good practices and recommendations on the management of conflicts with predators in aquaculture. The EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism is working on this document, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) helps achieve sustainable fishing and aquaculture and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the sector and coastal communities. EMFAF national programmes can support the monitoring, surveillance and mitigation of invasive alien species. Under specific conditions, EMFAF can provide for compensation to fishers for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. The Italian authorities may mobilise resources in line with the specific objectives of its EMFAF Programme. The Commission does not plan to propose adding Mnemiopsis leidiy on the list under the Invasive Alien Species Regulation 2 . A risk assessment under Article 5(1) is a required first step. None has yet been carried out. Based on biological characteristics, it is unlikely that its inclusion on the Union list would effectively prevent its impact. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive 3 and the Ballast Water Management Convention are also relevant frameworks to address NIS. 1 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/european-ocean-pact_en. 2 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35–55. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32008L0056.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-03-11 “E-000041/20c26 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Pursuant to Article 32(1)(a) of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (CFP 1 ), a part of the Union’s financial contribution under Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) is intended to support the cost of access to fisheries resources in third-country waters. This part of the contribution is not earmarked for specific policy objectives and its use falls under the sovereign discretion of the partner country. In addition, as per Article 32(1)(b) of the CFP Regulation, financial assistance is provided to partner countries aiming at the development of a sustainable fisheries policy driven by the third country (the so-called ‘sectoral support’). As such financial assistance is conditional upon the achievement of specific results, programming and implementation of activities funded by sectoral support are subject to strict monitoring by the Joint Committee of SFPAs, through the regular monitoring by the Commission both in headquarters and in EU delegations. Furthermore, SFPAs define requirements for the administrations of partner countries to ensure transparency, accountability and control of these funds, including a mandatory annual report. Further details and examples can be found in the evaluation and analysis of the SFPAs between the EU and third countries published in 2023 2 which includes an in-depth analysis of the sectoral support component of the SFPAs, including beneficiaries, as well as in the evaluations conducted before the expiry of each protocol 3 . These evaluations also show that active SFPAs provide access to important fishing zones for the EU fleet, as part of a network of SFPAs concluded by the EU, enabling the vessels concerned to maintain their activities throughout the year. 1 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC, OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, pp. 22. 2 Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fisheries Maritime Affairs F&S, Megapesca Lda and POSEIDON, Evaluation and analysis of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) between the EU and third countries including an in-depth analysis of the sectoral support component of the SFPAs – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/52188. 3 For Morocco: Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, F&S and POSEIDON, Évaluation rétrospective et prospective du Protocole à l’accord de partenariat dans le domaine de la pêche durable entre l’Union européenne et le Royaume du Maroc – Rapport final, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/785958. For Mauritania: European Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Poseidon, Fisheries Maritime Affairs, Caillart, B., Guerin, B. et al., Évaluation rétrospective et prospective du Protocole 2021-2026 à l’accord de partenariat dans le domaine de la pêche durable entre l’Union européenne et la République Islamique de Mauritanie – Rapport final, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/6618550.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2026-03-02 “E-000277/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean. All countries need to respect the jurisdiction, sovereignty and sovereign rights of all Member States, in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Also, according to UNCLOS and customary international law, coastal States have sovereignty over their territorial sea, including for the adoption of laws and regulations related to fishing, innocent passage, as well as to take the necessary steps to prevent non-innocent passage. The Commission supports Member States in the implementation of fisheries control rules and compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy. In particular, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) coordinates Member States’ inspection activities through the Mediterranean Joint Deployment Plan. EFCA deploys a patrol vessel on a permanent basis in the Mediterranean. Its activities may be complemented with tools such as aircraft and satellite monitoring, and support may be provided to national authorities’ activities if requested. Furthermore, EFCA in cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency, each within its mandate, supports the national authorities carrying out coast guard functions. The international cooperation on fisheries of the EU with neighbouring third countries is achieved through regional fisheries management organisations such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, including the establishment of common regional rules and the exchange of best practices for fisheries sustainability.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-02-27 “E-000186/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Prior to the revision of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 1 (the Control Regulation), the obligation to notify a return to port in advance already applied to vessels of 12 meters or more targeting stocks covered by multiannual plans. The revision of the Control Regulation extended the scope of this requirement to additional stocks, while maintaining the same vessel-length threshold. The obligation serves fisheries control and enforcement objectives, ensuring authorities have sufficient time to organise inspections, regardless of distance travelled or trip duration. The revised framework already allows noticeable flexibility: Member States may apply shorter notification periods for certain vessels, and the Commission may grant derogations in duly justified cases. Concerns regarding implementation should therefore be raised with the competent national authorities, which are best placed to assess any necessary adjustments or follow-up within the legal framework. As regards catch recording, the legislation does not require all catches to be weighed on board before landing, but only “estimated” quantities, as under the previous system. These requirements aim to improve the accuracy and reliability of catch data in support of sustainable fisheries management and the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Spanish authorities have asked the Commission to explore possible solutions, including a regulatory amendment. Solutions can and should be pursued within the existing control framework, making full use of the existing flexibilities and implementing powers provided by the revised Control Regulation. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1224/oj/eng.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-28 “E-003831/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is actively involved in the ongoing North East Atlantic coastal States’ negotiations, engaging in both multilateral and bilateral discussions with counterparts to reduce fishing pressure on pelagic stocks, particularly mackerel. The Commission is concerned with the prospect of continued overfishing and arrangements based on unilaterally inflated quotas by some parties. Sustainable fisheries management is indeed not optional – it is vital for protecting the resource, the EU seafood sector, and communities that depend on it. The Commission will carefully assess any measures by third countries against the legal thresholds under Regulation 1026/2012, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2077/2025 on nonsustainable fishing by third countries 1 , while ensuring full respect for international law. The Regulation applies to the fisheries-related activities and policies of third countries in order to ensure the long-term conservation of stocks of common interest to the Union and those third countries. The EU also has trade defence tools to ensure fair competition, such as anti-dumping or safeguard measures, that the Commission could trigger if conditions for their application are met. The competitiveness of the EU industries, and sustainable fishing are key priorities for the Commission. 1 OJ L, 2025/2077, 14.10.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/2077/oj.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-26 “E-004457/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. Under the Commission proposal for the EU budget 2028-2034, a new single Fund will finance the Member States’ National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRP Plans), covering different policy areas, including fisheries and aquaculture. In the future, there is a clear shift in the delivery model of the funding. Payments will be made conditional on the achievement of milestones and targets. The legal framework will no longer include detailed eligibility rules. Instead, it will be up to the Member States and regions to implement measures according to their needs and priorities. This should help maximise support for the sector across different funds. 2. The proposal for the new budget includes the principle of ‘do-no-significant-harm’ (DNSH) which will apply to the entire EU budget, in line with the EU Financial Regulation 1 . This principle mandates that all programmes and activities must fulfil their intended goals and set objectives according to sector-specific guidelines, ensuring they do not fund any activities that could cause considerable harm and hinder environmental objectives. 3. The EU strategic aquaculture guidelines 2 recommend that the Commission and Member States support diversification of EU aquaculture to types of aquacultures with better environmental performance and promote the use of sustainably sourced feed ingredients for fed aquaculture. The EU Reference Centre for the welfare of aquatic animals plays an important role to fulfil gaps in scientific knowledge. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/eu-financial-regulation_en. 2 The strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030 COM(2021)236 final.”
  GMOs
• 2026-01-22 “E-004654/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission views Thailand’s recent adoption of their revised Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, as potentially introducing new risks related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Should these risks lead to a resurgence of IUU fishing activities, the EU retains the right to consider adopting similar measures to those adopted in 2015 in the framework of EU Council Regulation N° 1005/2008 1 (IUU Regulation), if deemed necessary. On social conditions, under the Forced Labour Regulation 2 , fishery products that are proven to be made with forced labour will be banned from the internal market. The directive on corporate sustainability due diligence 3 will require large companies to identify and address adverse impacts on human rights, labour rights, and environmental issues within their value chains, both in Europe and globally. 2. A comprehensive free trade agreement is being negotiated with Thailand based on the joint objective of reaching a modern, high-standard deal, with sustainability at its core. The trade and sustainable development chapter has already been closed in principle and includes commitments on the sustainable management of natural resources – also with respect to fisheries and on combating IUU fishing, as well as on the effective implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work and continued and sustained efforts to ratify relevant Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). With respect to future market access conditions, the Commission will duly consider specific sensitivities during the negotiations. Economically sensitive sectors, such as tuna, will be subject to carefully designed specific modalities for market access that aim at preventing any market disturbances. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3015/oj/eng. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs) · Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• 2026-01-19 “E-004607/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. The European Ocean Pact recognises the support to small-scale fisheries as a priority. As announced in the Pact, the Commission adopted a Communication on the allocation of fishing opportunities 1 , which encourages Member States to further look into the allocation of fishing opportunities for small-scale fisheries. It is however important to recall that such allocation is decided by the Member States and Italy’s decision is outlined in Directorial Decree No 0582398/2025. The Commission understands that the additional closure period, adopted for November 2025, was to ensure that the fleet in the western Mediterranean could meet the conditions of Article 8.1(h) of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/219 2 . 2. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 3 helps achieving sustainable fishing activities and strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the fisheries sector. In the context of the implementation of the Western Mediterranean multiannual plan 4 and under specific conditions, the EMFAF can provide for compensation to fishers for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. The Italian authorities can consider mobilising resources from the Italian EMFAF Programme to provide support to the affected operators. The activation of EMFAF financial support must be in line with the specific objectives of the Italian EMFAF Programme, as agreed between the Commission and Italy. 1 Communication on transparency and good governance in quota allocation encourages Member States to use Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy to promote sustainable fishing practices and better support smallscale and coastal fishers (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/6227/oj/eng/pdf). 2 Council Regulation (EU) 2025/219 of 30 January 2025 fixing for 2025 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. 3 Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004. 4 Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-19 “E-004550/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Informal targeted consultations of stakeholders have already started and will be followed by a public consultation, planned for the first half of 2026. A technical meeting with Member States experts is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. The Commission underlines that compliance with Article 58(6) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 1 operates independently of the adoption of any supplementing legislation. Moreover, the co-legislators did not envisage any mandatory use of the empowerment under Article 58(12) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 2 . The obligation to make information available ‘in a digital way’ is formulated broadly, allowing compliance through a range of means that enable digital data transmission. Finally, the Commission does not have the power, through delegated legislation, to postpone the 2026 implementation deadline established by the co-legislators in Regulation (EU) 2023/2842. The Commission will continue working with stakeholders and Member States to develop supplementary rules that can support them and further harmonise and simplify the traceability framework, without undermining the policy objectives of the revised fisheries control regulation. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1224/oj/eng.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-19 “E-004712/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Since 2011 1 , EU rules have required that fishery and aquaculture products be traced and be accompanied by a minimum set of information. They also required operators to maintain systems and procedures to identify any operator from whom they have been supplied and to whom these products have been supplied. The Commission does not have the power, through delegated legislation, to postpone the 2026 implementation deadline established by the co-legislators in Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 2 . The co-legislators did not envisage any mandatory use of the empowerment under Article 58(12) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 3 . Compliance with Article 58(6) operates independently of the adoption of any supplementing legislation. The obligation to make information available ‘in a digital way’ is formulated broadly, allowing compliance through a range of means that enable digital data transmission. The Commission will continue working with stakeholders and Member States to develop supplementary rules that can support them and further harmonise and simplify the traceability framework, while fostering the policy objectives of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842. 1 Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 (pre-revision), Article 58(1) to (5). Article 124(a) of the Control Regulation, which deferred the application of Article 58 until 1 January 2011. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1224/oj. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1224/oj/eng.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-01-14 “E-004676/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission negotiates and aims to secure the best possible quotas for the EU in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Based on the best available scientific evidence, and defending the EU's interests, the Commission has strongly advocated – and obtained – a substantial increase in fishing opportunities for bluefin tuna (BFT). 2. The decision on how quotas are allocated internally, including for the fleet that catches BFT as by-catch, is a prerogative of the Member States. According to the EU legislation, they must use transparent and objective criteria, including those of an environmental, social and economic nature when taking such decisions. The Commission considers that the Member States are best placed to determine the most effective ways to allocate fishing opportunities. The Commission recently published guidelines 1 seeking to help Member States in supporting small-scale fishers and enhancing transparency and good governance in the allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States. 3. The Commission is fully committed to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It supports the annual deployment of numerous inspection and control means under the Joint International Inspection Scheme for BFT, coordinated by the European Fisheries Control Agency. The Commission ensures the implementation and continuous improvement of the ICCAT electronic Bluefin Catch Document as a tool to guarantee the traceability of traded BFT. For other species, the Member States also have the EU catch certification scheme to prevent entry of fishery products stemming from illegal activities, and can use the mutual assistance system to target consignments at risk. 1 Communication from the Commission for enhanced transparency and good governance in the allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States: A vade mecum on the application of Articles 16 and 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, OJ C, C/2025/6227, 17.11.2025.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-14 “E-004578/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The western Mediterranean management plan 1 (MAP) aims to secure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector relying on healthy fish stocks. The Commission recognises the efforts made by the sector and has worked with all stakeholders to implement the MAP since its adoption. While the fishing opportunities regulations have gradually reduced trawling effort since 2020, flexibilities have alleviated the reduction, such as recovering fishing days granted by the compensation mechanism which was enhanced in 2025. Moreover, measures under this mechanism are eligible for financing with public funding, including from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, to those fishers who opt in. For 2026, the scientific advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries shows, for many stocks, an increase in biomass and decrease in fishing mortality. However, the majority of stocks remains overfished, and several remain below healthy biological levels. The Commission cannot ignore the bad state of most stocks and only focus on the positive trend: improvement of biomass does not mean healthy stocks. The scientific advice did not revise its 2024 stock assessments for the MAP and confirmed the same stock assessment model and parameters used to set the 2025 fishing opportunities. In this context, the Commission has no ground to propose an in-year amendment of Regulation (EU) 2025/219 2 . 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014. OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 1–17. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/219/oj/eng.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-13 “E-004341/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. Import controls are essential to prevent products stemming from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing entering the EU market. This is why the Commission has reinforced the work with the Member States on this, including by developing CATCH (IT system for the management of EU catch certificates and related documents under the catch certification scheme), which became mandatory for EU importers and Member States as of 10 January 2026. 2. The Commission was aware of the situation reported by Faro de Vigo. The North Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (NPFC) Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC) noted in 2017 1 ‘that there are seven cases of two vessels with the same name and number, and recommended the automatic inclusion of the seven illegal vessels once the authorised vessels have been reregistered under new names’. After that, vessels using those names (LU RONG YUAN YU 101/102/103/105/106/108/109) without authorisation were included in the NPFC IUU list. Therefore, the LU RONG YUAN YU 101-109 authorised by China, which changed their names to LU RONG YUAN YU 810/811/812/813/815/816/817, were authorised to operate in NPFC under the new names – with their former names clearly mentioned in the NPFC Record of Authorised vessels. In 2024, the TCC stated 2 that ‘the United States of America noted that they met on the margins of TCC with China regarding vessels 17-23 on the IUU vessel list’. No update or modification of the information in the IUU list was made further to that meeting. 3. As indicated in the response to the joint advice by the Long Distance and the Market Advisory Councils on the urgent need for effective implementation of EU import control rules across Member States, the Commission has taken into account a number of recommendations in its ongoing work. 1 North Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (NPFC) report of the Second Meeting of the Technical and Compliance Committee (reference NPFC-2017-TCC02-Final Report): https://www.npfc.int/sites/default/files/201808/NPFC-2017-TCC02-Final%20Report.pdf. 2 NPFC report Seventh Technical and Compliance Committee Meeting (NPFC-2024-TCC07-Final Report): https://www.npfc.int/sites/default/files/2024-06/NPFC-2024-TCC07-Final%20Report.pdf.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-09 “E-003929/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission shares the deep concern about the state of key North-East Atlantic pelagic stocks, particularly mackerel, and the serious threats this poses not only to the sustainability of these fisheries but also to the livelihoods of thousands of fishers and coastal communities across the EU. Unilateral quota increases by certain coastal States continue to push mackerel catches above scientifically advised levels in a situation where the EU maintains a responsible and stable fishing level in compliance with its international obligations. The arrangement signed on 15 December 2025 by the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands risks exacerbating the state of the stock, considering that it sets a total allowable catch which is 72% higher than the headline advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for 2026. The Commission remains committed to work towards the objective of agreeing on the total allowable catch for 2026, a comprehensive sharing arrangement and other long term management measures while assessing the compatibility of recent developments with international law. The Commission will continue to address this matter with the other Parties, while working closely with Member States and the sector to identify constructive and sustainable approaches protecting the stocks and supporting their long-term rebuilding. The Commission is committed to direct engagement with all stakeholders, and the recent visit of the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans to Irish coastal communities is but one example of that commitment.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-08 “P-004705/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Tracing all lots of fishery and aquaculture products at all stages of production, processing and distribution, from catching or harvesting to the retail stage, ensuring that such lots are accompanied by a minimum set of information, and requiring operators to maintain ‘systems and procedures to identify any operator from whom they have been supplied with lots of fishery and aquaculture products and to whom these products have been supplied’, are obligations that have been in force in the Union since 2011 1 . The revision of the fisheries control system, culminating in Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 2 , builds on these rules while strengthening the recording and transmission of traceability data. Article 58(6) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 requires such data to be recorded and made available ‘in a digital way’, a technologically neutral formulation that allows various means of digital transmission without mandating any specific systems or tools across the supply chain. This minimum technological standard does not prevent stakeholders from using more advanced solutions, as already done by several operators, including through interoperable standards and systems. The 2026 implementation deadline established by the co-legislators in Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 cannot be modified through secondary legislation. The Commission will keep working with stakeholders and Member States to develop supplementary rules supporting their work and further harmonise and simplify the traceability framework, without undermining the objectives of the fisheries control revision. 1 Council Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 (the ‘Control Regulation’), Article 58(1) to (5). Please, note that Article 124(a) of the original Control Regulation deferred the application of Article 58 until 1 January 2011. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-01-08 “E-004223/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Some Mediterranean stakeholders advocated that a tailored 1 management approach, informed by robust and detailed disaggregated datasets, can enhance precision in decision-making and the alignment of management with conservation, social and economic objectives. The Commission explored a more disaggregated approach for the implementation of the Western Mediterranean Multi-Annual Management Plan (MAP), following the repartition of the Geographical sub-Areas (GSAs) 2 . In 2025, the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries indicated 3 differences in the status of each stock group and therefore considered that the fishing mortality needs to be reduced differently between the stock groups and GSAs. Considering that the most vulnerable stock in each Effort Management Unit is not present in all GSAs, the Commission proposed to compensate, in the respective GSAs, fishing vessels not fishing the most vulnerable stock. This was meant to ensure a level-playing field between the fleets of different GSAs, as reflected in the Commission non paper on the Western Mediterranean Fishing Opportunities 4 , complementing the original Commission proposal. Τhe European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) can support a wide range of actions for Member States to implement with their national EMFAF programmes, including temporary and permanent cessation measures in order to achieve the objectives of the Western Mediterranean MAP, insurance schemes, actions for selectivity improvement, reduction of undersize catches and efficient closure areas as well as actions to support the resilience of the sector and advancing on its innovation and energy transition. 1 https://www.en.medac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2025/02/33_2025_medac_advice_disaggregated_data_tailored_manag ement.pdf. 2 As defined by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. 3 STECF 25-09 pages 14-19; https://stecf.ec.europa.eu/document/download/5a91e273-626f-4468-858b-72a875da211d_en. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0509.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-12-18 “E-004044/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Based on an exclusive competence of the European Union (Art. 3 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), the Commission pursues conservation of marine biological resources under the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (1380/2013) 1 (CFP). Decisions to prohibit or limit certain fishing techniques in marine protected areas must be taken in that context and consider the type of fisheries, the characteristics of the area and the impact on marine ecosystems. Case-by-case assessments are needed to determine where and how less harmful techniques are needed to achieve the conservation objectives of marine protected areas. This allows to address the issue without disproportionately impacting fishing communities and is in line with the European Ocean Pact 2 . Under both the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) 3 and Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) 4 , Member States must protect ecosystems via the designation and management of protected sites. If the conservation of these sites necessitates regulating fishing activity, fisheries conservation measures in marine protected areas can be adopted by Member States in waters under their sovereignty or jurisdiction and so long as other Member States with a direct management interest in the fishery concerned are not affected. If other Member States are affected, Art. 11 and 18 of the CFP Regulation requires them to submit joint recommendation on measures to be adopted by the Commission. Finally, the Commission has recently published guidance 5 on the application of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive in relation to marine fishing activities. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1380/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0281. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/147/oj/eng. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj?eliuri=eli%3Adir%3A1992%3A43%3Aoj&locale=en. 5 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7557c784-9f37-11f0-97c8-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-12-18 “E-003411/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in Eastern Mediterranean. All countries need to respect the jurisdiction, sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) the provisions of which reflect customary international law. In this regard, coastal States have sovereignty over their territorial sea, including for adopting laws and regulations related to innocent passage and taking necessary steps to prevent passage that is not innocent. The EU consistently promotes regional cooperation within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, aiming to achieve a level playing field. While the primary responsibility for the safety and security conditions of the fish workers and for the control of fishing activities lays with the Member States in their waters and falls on their authorities, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) assists operationally Member States and coordinates their fisheries inspection activities in the Mediterranean through a dedicated Joint Deployment Plan, to which the EFCA patrol vessels participates. Alleged illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Turkish vessels is monitored by Greece and the Commission. Under Regulation (EC) 1005/2008 1 , any unauthorised entry of third-country fishing vessel in a Member State's territorial sea constitutes IUU fishing. The Member State concerned is primarily responsible for monitoring waters, inspecting suspicious vessels, and applying proportionate sanctions. Türkiye’s ratification of the UNCLOS would improve cooperation with the EU in fisheries. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/2011-03-09/eng.”
  EU-Turkey relations · Asylum & border control
• 2025-12-18 “E-4294/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the importance of providing consumers with clear and transparent information on the species, production method and origin of fishery and aquaculture products. This is reflected in the mandatory consumer information requirements set out in Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 1 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO). These rules apply to the majority of fishery and aquaculture products but exempt prepared and preserved products. Consequently, mandatory consumer information under the CMO does not cover most items sold by the hospitality sector (e.g. hotels, restaurants, catering). The revised Fisheries Control Regulation 2 sets out rules to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain. As of 10 January 2026, all lots of fishery and aquaculture products must be traceable from the point of catch or harvest to retail, with each lot requiring proper labelling with minimum information and digital transmission of traceability data. For prepared and preserved products, and as agreed by the co-legislators, new traceability requirements will apply from 2029. As part of the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Commission is assessing the CMO provisions to identify areas for improvement. A dedicated study 3 informing this evaluation has recently been completed. The study examined, among other issues, the scope of mandatory labelling, the implementation of the CMO labelling rules by Member States, and the situation in the hospitality sector. While the outcome of the evaluation cannot be prejudged, the Commission remains committed to ensuring that the labelling framework is fit for purpose and delivers effective consumer information. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1379/oj/eng. 2 Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02009R1224-20241011. 3 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/b8deded9-a010-11f0-97c8-01aa75ed71a1.”
  EU policy on country of origin food labelling · Food labelling harmonisation at EU level
• 2025-12-17 “P-003901/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The precautionary principle under Article 191(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) remains a cornerstone of EU environmental policy and guides the Union’s gradual approach to innovation. The Commission assesses risks and issues guidance to Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. However, imposing moratoria or halting projects falls mainly within national competence. Implementing rulings of the European Court of Justice requiring suspension of projects posing serious risks equally lies with Member States. The Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 1 promotes innovative renewables, such as floating solar, wave and tidal energy while ensuring respect for the EU environmental acquis. The Commission has issued recommendations 2 and guidance 3 to Member States, among other actions, to promote continued research on their potential environmental impacts. The European Ocean Pact 4 announces a proposal for an ‘Ocean Act’ that will build on a revision of the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive 5 and aim at strengthening and modernising maritime spatial planning as a strategic tool. The Commission is currently working on an impact assessment and a call for evidence will be published in 2026. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/2001/oj/eng. 2 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd9542e8-6eae-423a-a0edcc710a600473_en?filename=C_2025_4024_1_EN_ACT_part1_v7.pdf. 3 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-innovative-technologies-and-forms-renewableenergy-deployment_en. 4 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/european-ocean-pact_en. 5 https://maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu/.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects · Off-shore renewables
• 2025-12-17 “E-004214/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission consistently promotes the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing at regional level, as well as the improvement of compliance with the regional fisheries management rules to promote effectively the level playing field amongst all operators. In 2024, Recommendation 46/2023/17 1 of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), establishing an international joint inspection and surveillance (JIS) scheme for common dolphinfish fisheries, entered into force. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is coordinating the participation of the EU in the scheme as regards the deployment of means. As presented during the annual session of the GFCM Compliance Committee (CoC) (3-4 November 2025) 2 , the implementation of the JIS scheme in 2025 delivered 39 inspection reports. Among these, eight inspections involved Tunisian-flagged vessels, six of which revealed infringements such as missing catch records, fishing without a license, or misreporting. Five of these cases led to follow-up measures including sanctions against captains, seizure of non-compliant equipment and fishery products, and vessel detention. The Commission sent a follow-up letter to Tunisia, as flag State, regarding the enforcement actions. At the GFCM annual session (4-9 November 2025), upon a proposal made by the EU, the GFCM listed the vessel ‘Sonia’ of unknown flag, previously flying the flag of Tunisia, on its IUU vessel list. This listing is the result of the consistent efforts for the reinforcement of the CoC and the establishment of the instruments to effectively fight IUU fishing in the Mediterranean, together with the increased presence of the EFCA’s patrol vessel. 1 GFCM Recommendation 46/2023/17 https://www.fao.org/gfcm/decisions/en/. 2 https://www.fao.org/gfcm/statutory-meetings/detail/en/c/1755049/.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-12-17 “E-003713/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Mediterranean and expects that all countries respect the jurisdiction, sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the provisions of which reflect customary international law. In this regard, coastal States have sovereignty over their territorial sea, including for adopting laws and regulations related to innocent passage and taking necessary steps to prevent passage which is not innocent. Such incidents undermine the regional cooperation, which the EU consistently promotes within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, such as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, aiming to achieve a level playing field. While the primary responsibility for the control of fishing activities in Member States’ waters fall on their authorities, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) coordinates Member States’ fisheries inspection activities in the Mediterranean through a dedicated Joint Deployment Plan, to which the EFCA patrol vessels participate. The Commission also provides technical support to interested Member States through satellite monitoring and other support activities. The involvement of Frontex in such activities would go beyond the Agency’s mandate which is linked to the support to Member States in managing their external borders and return.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-12-16 “E-004192/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Both the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are bound by international commitments, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets a target to protect at least 30 % of coastal and marine areas by 2030. Under the European Ocean Pact 1 , the Commission encourages Member States to implement actions to achieve these targets. While the Commission closely monitors UK measures to ensure compliance with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and to assess their potential socio-economic impacts on the EU fishing sector, the TCA does not prevent the UK from implementing conservation measures in its waters provided TCA obligations are respected. The specific situation described does not appear to fall within the scope of support provided under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), therefore no compensation can be provided in this context. The Commission supports Member States in preparing evidence-based responses to consultations launched by the UK, including those concerning the designation and management of Scottish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the assessment of potential economic impacts on fisheries. It has also convened meetings between Member States and the Scottish Government to specifically discuss the proposed fisheries management measures within Scottish MPAs, both during the consultation phase and prior to their implementation. The Commission maintains a regular dialogue with the UK authorities on measures that may affect EU vessels, in order to ensure transparency, predictability and consistency with the provisions of the TCA. 1 The European Ocean Pact (COM/2025/281 final): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=comnat:COM_2025_0281_FIN.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-12-08 “E-003830/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The European Parliament and the Council decided during the last Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform in 2013 that Member States should keep the prerogative of distributing or allocating fishing opportunities available to them and leave Member States certain discretion in choosing and designing systems and allocation methods and to adapt them to their specific needs. At the same time, the co-legislators decided to require Member States to include criteria of environmental, social and economic nature (Article 17 of the CFP Regulation). The Commission recently published a vade mecum 1 , which addresses certain challenges related to the systems and methods Member States are currently using for allocating fishing opportunities and the need to better align those systems with the requirements. The Commission is currently evaluating the CFP Regulation, looking at its functioning and impact and providing answers to the five key evaluation criteria: efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, coherence and EU added value. The evaluation will provide a good basis to make informed decisions on how best to continue implementing the policy and to develop the EU’s long-term vision for a resilient, competitive and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector with a 2040 perspective. Based on the ‘evaluation first principle’, the Commission is committed to always evaluate an existing legal basis before deciding on a possible revision. 1 Communication from the Commission for enhanced transparency and good governance in the allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States: A vade mecum on the application of Articles 16 and 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/6227/oj.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-12-05 “E-004186/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The European Ocean Observation Initiative will take the form of a Communication from the Commission, which aims to address i.a. the strategic autonomy of the European Union regarding the Global Ocean Observing System, development of innovative Ocean Observation technologies and market opportunities, the better coordination of the European marine knowledge assets and the operationalisation of the European Digital Twin Ocean. Additionally, through the Ocean Act, the Commission aims to address issues relevant to the coordination and governance of Ocean Observation in the Member States, through the creation of a governing structure for the European Ocean Observing System. These actions do not have a geographical dimension, and the Member States will be able to determine what areas they are observing. Member States also have to consider radionuclides in their marine strategies under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 1 . While this issue mentioned by the Honourable Members will not be covered specifically under the Ocean Observation Initiative, radionuclide monitoring can already be conducted by Member States. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02008L0056-20170607.”
  EU ocean policy
• 2025-11-28 “E-004069/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the difficulties faced by the fisheries sector and has ensured that the needs are covered in its proposals for the three main Funds under the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Activities that are currently covered under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) can also be covered under the future National and Regional Partnership Plans of the Member States. EUR 2 billion is reserved as a minimum allocation for implementing some areas of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). These activities include support for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine conservation and restoration, and the compensation of operators in crisis or exceptional circumstances, including cessation of fishing. This is just a minimum amount and Member States can top it up under their overall financial envelope to support additional needs, such as measures in favour of their fishery and aquaculture sectors and of their coastal communities. Additional investments could cover data collection, control, generational renewal, small scale fisheries, etc. Additional funds could be available from the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (EUR 451 billion) that aims to foster the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the fishery and aquaculture sector, and from the Global Europe Instrument (EUR 200 billion) that aims to strengthen partnerships with non-EU countries to support sustainable fisheries and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The support available under the next MFF has the potential to go beyond the current EMFAF budget. It will be largely up to the Member States to make strategic choices to use at their best the funds available.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-11-24 “E-003932/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) founded on principles of collaboration and solidarity, aimed to achieve the objectives of sustainable management and exploitation of shared marine living resources. The Commission's approach to ensuring compliance within the framework of the GFCM focuses on the promotion of sustainable practices, aligned with EU standards. This strategy seeks to balance enforcement with capacity-building support to enhance the effectiveness of this RFMO and the ownership and successful implementation of measures. In general, trade restrictive measures should represent a last resort. In 2025, the Commission's primary focus in the GFCM is on strengthening the compliance framework towards fully implementing agreed-upon measures for level playing field for all operators. Following the EU position endorsed by the Council for the upcoming annual session, the Commission will propose measures to consolidate the legal framework on compliance, including a proposal to adopt follow-up actions to deter non-compliance on reporting and control issues. It will, furthermore, bring forward cases of possible non-compliance with the GFCM rules, resulting from GFCM Joint Inspection Schemes.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-11-21 “P-004032/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the importance of improving safety and energy efficiency on fishing vessels and encourages the exchange of best practices on this matter between Member States’ managing authorities. While Global Positioning System (GPS) and radar technology are on the one hand navigation tools that improve safety and navigation at sea, on the other hand they serve to improve operational efficiency in fishing vessels by enhancing, among others, the ability to locate and exploit fishery resources. These technologies can function as fishing effort-enhancing technologies, for example, by allowing the precise return to productive fishing grounds, detecting seabird aggregations linked to pelagic fisheries or allow to fish in adverse condition. For this reason, investments in GPS and radar on fishing vessels are considered ineligible pursuant to Article 13(b) of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation 1 , as it is equipment that increases the ability of a fishing vessel to find fish. The EMFAF Regulation does not provide an exhaustive list of measures that can be supported. The type of actions that can be supported are described in the respective programmes available online 2 . Based on Article 63(1) of the Common Provisions Regulation 3 , it is primarily the responsibility of the national Managing Authority to evaluate and establish which type of investments to improve safety and energy efficiency on board fishing vessels fulfils eligibility requirements. The Commission remains at the disposal of the national managing authorities to provide further guidance and clarifications while ensuring a consistent and aligned approach to the interpretation of the EMFAF Regulation. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004, OJ L 247, 13.7.2021, pp. 1–49. 2 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/funding/emfaf/emfaf-programmes-2021-2027_en. 3 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, pp. 159–706.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-11-17 “E-003931/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The permanent compliance assessment mechanism of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is currently in pilot phase. The GFCM Commission will decide on the transition to the permanent phase. Therefore, no contracting parties, including the EU, are enabled to raise non-compliance issues falling under Category A in 2025. The Commission informs the European Parliament in line with the provisions of the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission. As per the current practice, the Commission sent the proposed EU position for the 2025 Annual Session of the GFCM on 15 September 2025 to the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH). It also provided an update on the ongoing preparations during the PECH Committee meeting on 16 October 2025.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-11-14 “P-004228/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission bases its proposals on the scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The Commission asked ICES about the data from the May 2025 survey in mid-October 2025. ICES informed that the data was being processed by the experts and that no compiled results were available. The quality-assured ICES survey will be available after the ICES internal review process, which is expected to take place in spring 2026. On 28 October 2025, the Council reached a political agreement on the fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea for 2026. The Council agreed to set the total allowable catches for sprat at the fishing mortality consistent with achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (F MSY ) point value indicated in the ICES advice of 28 May 2025.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-11-13 “P-004136/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission understands the socio-economic importance of the Lampuki fisheries in Malta and is determined to ensure a level-playing field in the region. The EU participation to the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean international joint inspection scheme (IJIS) is delivering important results in identifying and deterring potential infringements at sea. In 2025, three suspected infringements from Tunisian flagged fishing vessels were detected in the Fishing Aggregating Device (FAD) common dolphinfish fishery, including one case of a vessel catching fish attracted by a FAD set by another Contracting Party vessel. The Commission sent a letter to Tunisia to follow-up on these cases, their reply is under analysis. The IJIS allow for the collaboration of EU and non-EU inspectors. The Commission notes that the Maltese administration was formally invited to deploy their patrol means in 2026 in international waters to join the efforts alongside the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). This will allow for a more complete coverage, increasing the likelihood of stopping potential poachers on Maltese FADs. Moreover, the Pact for the Mediterranean 1 , adopted by the Commission on 16 October 2025, highlights the EU’s intention to work with non-EU countries to promote and implement international governance standards and develop a project to increase control and inspection capabilities of coastal States to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 1 The Pact for the Mediterranean One Sea, One Pact, One Future, Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, https://north-africa-middle-east-gulf.ec.europa.eu/joint-communication-pact-mediterranean_en.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture