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Own-initiative report First reading

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

Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.

Where it stands: Parliament adopted the text on 28 April 2026. This is its final position on the matter.

  1. ✓ Referred to committee 13 March 2025
  2. ✓ Committee work Report adopted 25 February 2026
  3. ✓ Tabled for plenary 6 March 2026
  4. ✓ Plenary vote Adopted 28 April 2026
  5. ✓ Parliament’s position Final
How a file moves through Parliament

A file is referred to one lead committee (others may give an opinion). Its rapporteur writes a draft report, committee members table amendments, and the committee votes to adopt the report. The report is then tabled for all MEPs; political groups can table further amendments, which are voted on before the final vote in plenary. The adopted resolution is Parliament’s final position; it is not itself law.

Who is working on it

Lead committee
PECH — Fisheries
Rapporteur
Željana ZOVKO PPE
Shadow rapporteurs
Giuseppe LUPO S&DFrance JAMET PfEKarin KARLSBRO RenewMélissa CAMARA Verts/ALEEmma FOURREAU The Left

The rapporteur drafts and negotiates the text for the lead committee; each other political group names a shadow rapporteur to follow the file.

The text, version by version

Adopted by Parliament · latest Adopted text TA10-0121/2026 28 April 2026 ✦ Parliament's resolution on ocean diplomacy for EU fisheries and aquaculture competitiveness calls for stronger EU leadership in ocean governance, fair competition, and sustainable management.⇄ what changed Tabled for plenary Report A10-0043/2026 6 March 2026 ✦ 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.⇄ what changed Committee draft Draft report (PECH) 6 October 2025 ✦ This draft report on ocean diplomacy for EU fisheries and aquaculture competitiveness calls for integrating ocean diplomacy into EU foreign policy, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring fair competition.

Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament: Adds new paragraphs on ocean diplomacy, shadow fleets, dormant agreements, whaling moratorium, krill fishing, WTO subsidies, Russian fishing, and financial support for outermost regions. Drops corresponding paragraphs from the old version, often merging them into preceding paragraphs or removing them entirely. Moves several recitals and paragraphs to standalone positions, changing the structure but not the content. The only formal change is the addition of 'EC' to a regulation number. see the changes →

Committee draft → Tabled for plenary: The report expands significantly, adding many new paragraphs on SFPAs, IUU fishing, and maritime security, while removing some previous calls. It strengthens language on the EU's role in ocean governance, adding references to UNCLOS, RFMOs, and the precautionary principle. New paragraphs address generational renewal, outermost regions, and funding, with calls for specific measures and financial instruments. The report adds details on the Mediterranean, Arctic, and Baltic, and calls for more cooperation with non-EU countries. The other changes are formal or wording: rephrasing and updates to references. see the changes →

Newest version first. Open a version to read it in full. “What changed” shows the differences paragraph by paragraph; ✦ lines are AI-written from the texts themselves.

Timeline

  1. Plenary stage
  2. 28 April 2026 Plenary vote
    Sitting of 28 April 2026 📄 Report A10-0043/2026📄 Adopted text TA10-0121/2026
    Adopted Adopted by a large majority
    For 430 Against 107 Abstained 115

    Final vote — text as a whole at 14:27 · 66% of votes cast in favour · every MEP’s position →

    How the vote unfolded · 7 ballots

    adopted rejected lapsed square = amendment circle = part of the text decisive vote Solid = roll call (click for every MEP’s vote); faded = no individual positions

    Show all 7 ballots in voting order
    1. Separate vote on paragraph 5 14:26 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – § 5
    Adopted
    2. Separate vote on paragraph 9 14:26 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – § 9
    Adopted
    3. Separate vote on paragraph 17 14:26 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – § 17
    Adopted
    4. Amendment 1, adding text after paragraph 35 14:27 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – After § 35 – Am 1
    Adopted
    5. Amendment 2, adding text after paragraph 35 14:27 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – After § 35 – Am 2
    Adopted
    6. Vote on text inserted after recital A
    — no individual positions recorded
    Rejected
    7. Final vote — text as a whole 14:27 A10-0043/2026 – Željana Zovko – Motion for a resolution (as a whole)
    Adopted
  3. 27 April 2026 Debated in plenary

    MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.

    Sitting of 27 April 2026 📄 Report A10-0043/2026
  4. 22 April 2026 4 amendments tabled for the plenary vote

    Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.

    📄 Amendments 1–2📄 Amendment 2📄 Amendment 3
  5. 6 March 2026 Report tabled for plenary

    This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.

    📄 Report A10-0043/2026
  6. Committee stage
  7. 25 February 2026 Committee vote: report adopted

    PECH (Fisheries) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.

  8. 24 October 2025 Amendments tabled in committee

    Members of PECH (Fisheries) proposed changes to the draft.

    📄 Amendments in committee (PECH)
  9. 6 October 2025 Draft report published

    The rapporteur’s first text in PECH (Fisheries). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.

    📄 Draft report (PECH)
  10. 13 March 2025 Referred to the PECH (Fisheries) committee

    The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.