July 1st, 2023

New fisheries control rules must be proportionate, harmonised and workable

Next Tuesday, 27 June, the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries will vote the political agreement reached three weeks ago with the Council of the EU. The fishing industry represented by EAPO and Europêche reiterate their appreciation for the work invested over the past few years by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the Member States to make the Commission’s proposal on new control rules more flexible and closer to the fisheries reality. 

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.

January 19th, 2022

European bottom fishing industry shows a united front in Brussels

Today, an alliance of fishing organizations from 14 EU countries[1] representing over 22 000 fishermen and 8 000 vessels, presented to Fisheries Commissioner Sinkevicius the importance and realities of bottom fishing activities across Europe. The meeting was requested by the industry due to the negative perception expressed by the Commission towards certain bottom gears and against the background of the Action Plan that the Commission is developing to further protect fisheries resources and marine ecosystems in the context of EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. The industry showcased the sustainability and overall importance of these widespread fishing methods in all EU member states and demonstrated that these fisheries are well regulated, controlled, researched and widely certified.  

October 15th, 2020

Europêche and environmental NGOs join forces to demand modern, effective and simplified EU fisheries control rules

Europêche and environmental NGOs join forces to demand modern, effective and simplified EU fisheries control rules.

A robust EU control system is critical to ensure that seafood products sold in the EU are sustainably sourced, fully traceable and properly monitored by Member States.

July 1st, 2020

The fishing sector meets with the new Director General of DG MARE

Charlina Vitcheva, the new Director General of the DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, was welcomed yesterday by the representatives of the European fishing sector, Europêche and EAPO. The meeting allowed the fishers' representatives to present and discuss the key topics with Ms Vitcheva.