EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis met with representatives from fisheries Advisory Council’s ahead of the AGRIFISH Council
On 2 December 2024, EU Fisheries Commissioner Kadis met with Advisory Councils (ACs) to discuss key priorities ahead of the 2025 fishing opportunities negotiations.
This marked the Commissioner’s first formal engagement with stakeholders since assuming office.
The meeting, also attended by DG MARE Director-General Charlina Vitcheva, provided a platform for dialogue between the Commissioner and representatives from various ACs, including the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC), chaired by Emiel Brouckaert. Discussions highlighted both immediate priorities, such as fishing opportunities for 2025, and broader challenges, including the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Commissioner Kadis Outlines Priorities
In his opening remarks, Commissioner Kadis emphasised the importance of integrating stakeholder input into decision-making while adhering to scientific advice and legal frameworks. He committed to regular engagements with ACs to strengthen collaboration and announced plans for a public consultation on the CFP, set to begin in early 2025.
The Commissioner also introduced an Ocean Pact, a proposed framework to align all ocean-related policies with sustainability and competitiveness goals. This initiative aims to address climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the strategic importance of the ocean in food sovereignty.
EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis meeting with the Advisory Councils ahead of the AGRIFISH Council this week. Photo: European Union
NWWAC Presents Recommendations
Emiel Brouckaert, Chair of the NWWAC, presented the Council’s key advice on fishing opportunities. Among the primary recommendations were:
- Improved Data Quality: Addressing deficiencies in scientific assessments through fisheries-science partnerships and genetic analysis.
- Expanded Stability Clauses: Reducing annual fluctuations in Total Allowable Catches (TACs).
- Climate-Adapted Reference Points: Adjusting fishing mortality and biomass benchmarks to account for climate impacts.
- Broader Utilisation of Scientific Advice: Incorporating stakeholder insights and practical experiences into management decisions.
Brouckaert acknowledged progress in EU-UK bilateral negotiations, noting limited opportunities for ministers to influence the outcomes but highlighting the socio-economic dimension as a critical area for CFP reform.
Advisory Councils Push for CFP Reforms
NWWAC Vice-Chair Alexandra Philippe elaborated on broader priorities, including climate change adaptation, the social dimensions of fisheries, and maritime spatial planning. She outlined key CFP reform recommendations:
- Modernising policies to address challenges like Brexit, marine spatial competition, and climate change.
- Enhancing regionalisation for more tailored and stakeholder-informed decisions.
- Adopting ecosystem-based management approaches to account for cumulative pressures on marine environments.
- Ensuring clear legal frameworks to support innovation and investment.
Looking Ahead
The Commissioner and DG MARE Director-General noted the valuable input from the ACs, signalling a commitment to integrating stakeholder feedback into future policies. With negotiations on 2025 fishing opportunities underway and the CFP evaluation slated for next year, the meeting underscores the importance of collaborative and adaptive fisheries management.
This dialogue sets the stage for critical decisions affecting the EU’s fishing industry, with sustainability, competitiveness, and stakeholder engagement at the forefront.
Source: Press Release
