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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2778(RSP))

On the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and follow-up

B-10-2026-0386

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Carmen Crespo Díaz, Isabelle Le Callennec

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 28 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 welcomes the Commission's evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy but regrets the absence of a follow-up timetable or measures, and calls for an ambitious, targeted and timely revision. It asks for a more coherent, science-based management approach, fixes to the landing obligation, fleet modernisation and revision of the fishing-capacity framework, and attention to mixed fisheries and regional differences. It calls for action on the western Mediterranean and Baltic Sea plans, science-based spatial measures, review of the Deep-Sea Access Regulation and simplification of the Fisheries Control Regulation. It seeks a fair EU market with origin labelling and equivalent standards for imports, continued simplification of funding, support for aquaculture, and a fisheries simplification package before the end of 2026. It asks the Commission for a roadmap and timely legislative proposals, and says Parliament may launch a legislative own-initiative report under Article 225 TFEU if no proposals come by the end of 2026.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Commission's evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy but regrets it came without a commitment, timetable or measures for follow-up, including concrete reforms.
  2. Says the context has fundamentally changed since 2013 and that the evaluation requires an ambitious, targeted and timely revision.
  3. Calls for a more coherent, proportionate, science-based and results-oriented management approach, with greater transparency and consistency in how scientific advice becomes management decisions.
  4. Regrets practical difficulties with the landing obligation in mixed fisheries and with choke species, and asks the Commission for alternative management tools, artificial intelligence, quota pools, real-time closures and exchanges.
  5. Calls on the Commission and member states to support modernisation, renewal and decarbonisation of the fleet and to revise the fishing-capacity framework without increasing catching capacity or causing overcapacity.
  6. Wants incentives for investment in technologies and practices that reduce unwanted catches, improve selectivity and increase energy efficiency, and maximum sustainable yield rules that account for mixed fisheries and socio-economic factors.
  7. Calls for regionalisation, assessment of the multiannual plans and targeted improvements, and urgent legislative improvements for the western Mediterranean demersal stocks plan after years of fishing-day cuts.
  8. Underlines its 2026 Baltic Sea resolution, and says conservation and spatial measures should be science-based, proportionate, regularly assessed and consider socio-economic impacts and traditional fishing grounds.
  9. Urges the Commission to consider updated scientific evidence and socio-economic effects, including for bottom gears such as bottom set longlines, and to revise the Deep-Sea Access Regulation.
  10. Calls for review and simplification of the Fisheries Control Regulation, including reporting, digital traceability, catch registration, weighing and electronic monitoring, and for fixes to the CATCH digital certificate.
  11. Calls for a fair and competitive market, traceability, clearer consumer information and mandatory origin labelling, a level playing field with non-EU producers and a targeted revision of the Common Market Organisation Regulation.
  12. Calls for simplified access to EU funding, especially the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, support for aquaculture and small producers, and a fisheries simplification package before the end of 2026.

Who is affected

  • EU fishers, especially small-scale and island or outermost-region operators, who face declining stocks, rising costs and regulatory burdens.
  • Aquaculture producers, who would benefit from simpler permitting, legal certainty and support for small and medium-sized producers.
  • Coastal and island communities, whose employment and social cohesion the resolution seeks to protect.
  • The Commission, which is asked for a roadmap, legislative proposals and a simplification package before the end of 2026.
  • The Council, which is asked to consider socio-economic factors when setting total allowable catches and quotas.

Figures and deadlines

  • The Commission's evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy was published on 30 April 2026.
  • The Common Fisheries Policy framework was established in 2013.
  • The fisheries and aquaculture simplification package should be presented before the end of 2026.
  • If no concrete legislative proposals come by the end of 2026, Parliament may use Article 225 TFEU.

Legal basis: Articles 3, 4, 5, 11, 13, 38, 39, 43, 225 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.