EU fisheries body. the NWWAC, warns fuel crisis risks fleet collapse, urging Brussels to trigger emergency funding and state aid measures.
NWWAC Sets Out Position on European Ocean Board
The North Western Waters Advisory Council has used its statement on the European Ocean Board to press for a fundamental reset in how EU ocean policy is developed.
Welcoming its observer role, the council stated it “would like to thank the Commission for the opportunity to participate in the work of the European Ocean Board on an observer basis”.
The intervention, however, goes well beyond acknowledgement, setting out a series of demands that directly challenge the direction of current policy.
Call for Evidence Based Ocean Act
The NWWAC is explicit that the proposed Ocean Act must not be built on abstract policy design.
It states that the framework should be developed “through a parallel evaluation and impact assessment to ensure its framework is grounded in real-world stakeholder evidence and regional biological and socio-economic realities”.
This is coupled with a push for Ecosystem-Based Management, which the council says must “balance environmental conservation with the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities and European food security”.
Criticism of Fragmented Governance Approach
The statement openly criticises existing structures, arguing that current policy is too fragmented to function effectively.
It calls for “an integrated, multispecies, and multisectoral governance model” to replace what it describes as “fragmented, sector-specific management”.
The NWWAC also warns against ignoring existing advisory input, urging the Commission “to formally review and integrate the AC’s extensive body of consensus-driven advice… to improve policy coherence and avoid repeating the shortcomings of past maritime governance”.
Regionalisation and Practical Policy Delivery
The council is equally direct on implementation, arguing that broad EU-level targets are insufficient.
It states that policy “should move away from theoretical goals and instead prioritise regionalisation to address the diverse needs of different sea basins”.
This reflects ongoing concern within the fishing industry that one-size-fits-all measures fail to reflect operational realities on the water.
Food First Approach and Spatial Pressure Concerns
A central demand is the adoption of a “Food First” approach to marine spatial planning.
The NWWAC argues this must “protect fishing grounds from being squeezed by offshore energy” while supporting “EU food security and sovereignty”.
It also calls for stricter controls on imports, stating that seafood brought into the EU should meet “the same rigorous environmental and labour standards as domestic production”.
Reform of Fleet Policy And Regulatory Burden
The statement links ocean policy to wider structural reform.
It calls for “a fair transition, including a comprehensive reform of vessel capacity restrictions to allow for decarbonisation and modernised onboard standards”.
In addition, it proposes “the adoption of a ‘Fisheries Omnibus Package’ to reduce administrative burdens”.
The council also stresses that “the fishing sector must be recognised as a provider of low-carbon, high-value protein” and supported through investment, innovation and improved scientific data.
European Ocean Board and Wider Policy Context
The European Ocean Board has been established by the European Commission as part of the European Ocean Pact, adopted in June 2025.
The Pact aims to bring together EU ocean-related policies into a single coordinated framework, with the Board acting as a high-level expert group to support its implementation.
The Board consists of 28 members selected through an open call, with the Commission stating that their varied expertise is intended to ensure informed and inclusive policy development.
It is expected to complement existing mechanisms including the Fisheries Advisory Councils and the European Blue Forum.
Underlying Tension Over Policy Direction
Despite the formal structure, the NWWAC statement points to deeper tension over the direction of EU ocean policy.
Its repeated emphasis on food security, regionalisation and regulatory reform suggests concern that current approaches risk marginalising the fishing sector in favour of competing maritime priorities.
The council’s position is clear, policy must shift from broad ambition to practical delivery, or risk repeating the failures it claims have already undermined past governance.
