The “Fishers of the Future” event in Brussels on 19 March, mapped out path for sustainable fishing says organisers. Photo: Tetra Tech
On 19 March 2024, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries convened stakeholders from both the public and private sectors at the “Fishers of the Future” event held in Brussels.
The gathering aimed to shed light on the evolving role of fishers in society and discuss strategies for sustainable fishing practices leading up to 2050.
In his opening address, Deputy Director-General Kęstutis Sadauskas underscored the significance of understanding the changing landscape for fishers: “For fishers, and indeed for many primary food producers across Europe, times are changing rapidly and relentlessly. This is why it is crucial to convene stakeholders from the fishing sector to engage in forward-thinking discussions about our future.”
The event served as a platform to introduce the “Fishers of the Future” study and its initial findings while outlining the next steps in the research process. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback and actively participate in shaping the study’s trajectory.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from both large and small-scale fishing operations, as well as industry experts, highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing the sector.
Matea Lovrić, Director of the Adria Fishing Cooperation in Croatia, addressed societal perceptions of fishers and advocated for enhanced training programs to meet evolving needs.
Dominic Rihan, Head of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) in Ireland, raised concerns about the impact of Brexit and stressed the importance of fostering trust within the sector to navigate these challenges effectively.
Francois Bastardie, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, underscored the imperative of adapting fishing techniques to minimize bycatch and seabed impact, while acknowledging the need to support fishers in making necessary transitions.
Tim Haasnoot, Director of ProSea Marine Education, emphasized the importance of upskilling fishers to attract future generations to the industry. He highlighted his organization’s efforts in training thousands of fishers in sustainable practices, fisheries management, and communication.
The event facilitated productive discussions among participants, who engaged in breakout groups to explore the challenges identified in the study’s initial phase and their implications for different profiles of today’s fishers. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of incorporating gender dimensions and ensuring representation across various fisher groups, sea basins, and vessel sizes in the study’s future profiles.
The “Fishers of the Future” event underscored the collaborative efforts needed to navigate the complexities of sustainable fishing practices and chart a course for the industry’s evolution towards 2050.