May 9th, 2023

Fishers across Europe protest in defence of their work and way of living

During the past week, fishers across Europe protested against the EU policies that are putting the future of the sector at risk. Particularly, the European Commission’s “Action Plan to protect marine ecosystems” that aims to prohibit bottom fishing in 30% of our seas and the Nature Restoration Law. The call from the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), supported by Europêche, EAPO and Cogeca, 
culminated today May 9th, the day of Europe. Instead of celebrating the historical unity of the peoples of Europe and social prosperity, fishers sounded the horn of their vessels, as a call of distress, to voice that the fishing fleet is gradually disappearing. The sector expects that this joint call is seriously taken by EU policymakers and stop the very policies that are triggering this crisis.