Skip to content
REPORT (2025/2054(INI))

On the role of ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture

A-10-2026-0043

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Željana Zovko

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull textProcedure & committee votes
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

The resolution calls for the EU to strengthen ocean diplomacy to boost the competitiveness of its fisheries and aquaculture, covering governance, trade, security, and funding. It urges action on sustainable fisheries partnerships, combating illegal fishing, supporting small-scale fishers, and ensuring fair competition with non-EU countries. It demands adequate funding for the sector, including for the post-2028 period, and highlights the need for generational renewal and fleet modernisation.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries proposes a resolution calling for strengthened ocean diplomacy and competitiveness measures, as outlined in the motion.

Key points

  1. Calls for mainstreaming ocean diplomacy in EU external action and for enhanced cooperation among member states and EU agencies to counter illegal fishing.
  2. Urges measures against shadow fleets, piracy, and hostile acts, including naval missions and satellite monitoring, and suggests an EU emergency facility.
  3. Welcomes the European Ocean Pact and calls for regular 'oceans summits' to follow up on its implementation.
  4. Supports the new Pact for the Mediterranean and calls for its prioritised implementation, focusing on small-scale fisheries and regional cooperation.
  5. Calls for a new generation of sustainable fisheries partnership agreements that respect scientific advice and human rights, and for attention to dormant agreements.
  6. Demands transparency and accountability from all fishing nations, including compliance with International Labour Organization conventions and accurate reporting.
  7. Promotes the implementation of FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and the participation of small-scale fishers in decisions.
  8. Calls for fair and non-discriminatory treatment of EU vessels in SFPA partner countries, with mirror measures and strengthened non-discrimination clauses.
  9. Urges measures to address lack of transparency in non-EU fishing sectors and to prevent EU fleet replacement by less sustainable fleets.
  10. Calls for reducing administrative burdens in the common fisheries policy and for integrating fisheries into EU food security strategies.
  11. Demands swift implementation of the CATCH system for imported fishery products and promotion of its voluntary use by non-EU countries.
  12. Calls for targeted measures for generational renewal, including training, safety at sea, and improved working conditions, with attention to outermost regions.

Who is affected

  • EU fishers and aquaculture producers: benefit from calls for fair competition, reduced administrative burdens, and support for generational renewal.
  • Non-EU countries: face demands for transparency, compliance with standards, and potential trade restrictions if they allow non-sustainable fishing.
  • Small-scale fishers: receive specific support calls, including implementation of FAO guidelines and attention to their role in coastal communities.
  • Outermost regions and islands: targeted for investments and measures to address their specific constraints and ensure fair competition.

Figures and deadlines

  • 71 % of Earth's surface covered by oceans; over 65 % of EU territory; 25 million km² of EEZs; coastline over 70 000 km.
  • EU fishing fleet comprises approximately 69 000 vessels, 75 % used by coastal and small-scale fishers.
  • Sector contributes around EUR 5.5 billion per year and provides direct employment to around 193 000 fishers and aquaculture producers.
  • EU imports 70 % of its seafood.
  • EU is contracting party to 18 RFMOs and four regional seas conventions.
  • EU has 20 SFPAs, seven of them dormant.
  • EUR 1 billion pledged at the third United Nations Ocean Conference for voluntary commitments.
  • Only EUR 2 billion ring-fenced for fisheries and aquaculture for 2028-2034, barely one third of previous funding.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 3(5), 43, 349 and 355 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union