Commission seeks feedback on fisheries and aquaculture Vision 2040, a 15-year plan to secure sustainability and competitiveness across EU seas.
The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to gather views from stakeholders, experts and citizens on its Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture.
The initiative will set a 15‑year strategic framework to tackle structural challenges and secure long‑term sustainability and competitiveness across the sector.
Why the Commission is Consulting Now
Fisheries and aquaculture are central to European food security and to the livelihoods of coastal communities. However, the sector faces mounting pressures, including an ageing workforce, low generational renewal, exposure to external shocks, dependency on fossil fuels, and the need to harvest fish stocks sustainably. Vision 2040 is intended to address these pressures across the entire value chain, from catching and farming to processing.
What Vision 2040 Will Cover
Building on the European Ocean Pact’s commitments, the Fishers of the Future foresight study, and the ongoing evaluation of the common fisheries policy regulation, Vision 2040 will focus on four interconnected dimensions:
- Aquatic food demand
- Aquatic food supply
- Workforce
- Infrastructure and financing
The framework will also prioritise simplification, ensuring objectives are achieved in a cost‑effective and proportionate way.
Kadis Sets Mission Policy Context
The consultation aligns with the mandate given to Commissioner‑designate for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, who was tasked to deliver a vision for the fisheries sector with a 2040 perspective, complete the CFP evaluation and refine the policy where necessary, uphold a level playing field for EU operators, simplify rules and reduce burdens, and frame actions under a European Oceans Pact focused on resilient oceans, blue‑economy competitiveness and coherent ocean governance.
Who Should Respond and How to Participate
The Commission is encouraging contributions from a broad range of participants, including fishing industry representatives and producer organisations, aquaculture and aquatic food processing operators, non‑governmental organisations and civil society, academic and scientific institutions, national, regional and local authorities, social and economic partners, and individual citizens.
Responses can be submitted through the Commission’s Have Your Say portal.
Deadline, Next Steps and Ongoing Dialogue
The call for evidence runs until 24 March 2026. Feedback gathered will directly inform the development of Vision 2040. In parallel, the Commission is continuing structured dialogue with stakeholders on achieving a level playing field, strengthening food security, conserving marine biological resources, and advancing the green, digital and social transition in coastal communities.
