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REPORT (2024/2126(INI))

On the impact of the implementation of Directive 2014/89/EU, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins

A-10-2026-0120

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Stéphanie YonCourtin

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✦ 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.

Parliament's resolution on the impact of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive on fisheries finds uneven implementation and limited benefits for fisheries and aquaculture, and calls for reforms. It demands better integration of fisheries and aquaculture in maritime spatial planning, including priority zones, co-management, and binding stakeholder participation. It urges stronger cross-border and sea-basin cooperation, more data collection, and a revision of the directive under the Ocean Act.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries calls for a revision of the MSP Directive to better integrate fisheries and aquaculture, with binding stakeholder participation and minimum standards for space.

Key points

  1. Notes that implementation of the MSP Directive has been uneven, with plans varying in binding nature and coverage across sea basins.
  2. Regrets that MSP has not delivered expected benefits for fisheries, lacking minimum targets and measurable indicators, and has not reduced conflicts.
  3. Calls for MSP to better integrate fisheries and aquaculture, including through priority zones and reserved areas for small-scale fishing.
  4. Demands mandatory assessments of cumulative socio-economic impacts of fishing displacement and compensatory measures for affected fishers.
  5. Urges inclusive governance with early, meaningful stakeholder participation, and promotes co-management as the model for MSP decision-making.
  6. Calls for enhanced cross-border and sea-basin cooperation, including with the UK and non-EU countries, and for joint management platforms.
  7. Stresses the need for improved data collection, harmonisation, and use of digital tools like Ocean Eye and Digital Twin Ocean.
  8. Supports revision of the MSP Directive under the Ocean Act, with binding stakeholder provisions and minimum standards for space for fisheries and aquaculture.
  9. Calls for sufficient financial resources in the next multiannual financial framework to support MSP implementation.

Who is affected

  • Fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including small-scale fishers and shellfish gatherers, who face spatial restrictions and displacement.
  • Member States, which must improve MSP implementation, stakeholder involvement, and cross-border cooperation.
  • The Commission, which is called on to monitor implementation, propose compensatory measures, and revise the directive.
  • Non-EU countries, including the UK, with which cooperation on MSP should be deepened.

Figures and deadlines

  • 37.5 %: EU self-sufficiency in seafood in 2022.
  • 80 %: share of seafood consumed in the EU that was imported.
  • 13 %: reduction in EU fishing fleet size compared to 2014.
  • 20 %: target for area-based restoration measures in EU sea area by 2030.
  • 30 %: target for protection of EU sea area by 2030.
  • 22: number of coastal Member States required to adopt plans by 31 March 2021.
  • 20 out of 22: Member States that have adopted maritime spatial plans so far.
  • 12 nautical miles: zone for preferential access for small-scale fisheries.