MEPs demand major reforms to fund fleet renewal, modernisation and decarbonisation as EU fishing vessels age and current rules block investment
Committee Warns Current Rules Block Investment As EU Vessels Average 31 Years Old
The European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee is pressing for sweeping changes to EU law after adopting a report calling for fleet renewal schemes, increased public and private investment and a complete re-evaluation of how decarbonisation is financed across the sector.
The Committee approved the text by 19 votes to three, with three abstentions.
MEPs argue that the current Common Fisheries Policy and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund place strict limits on public support for vessel modernisation and even deter private investment, leaving the EU fleet stuck with an average age of 31.5 years. They say this must change if Europe is serious about meeting its 2050 climate-neutrality target under the Green Deal.
The report calls for new renewal schemes combining EU funding, state aid and private capital to modernise ports, install energy infrastructure and replace or redesign vessels. MEPs warn that the transition will fail unless investment rules are rewritten “from design to delivery”.
Modernisation, Digitalisation And Working Conditions
The Committee stresses that decarbonisation must go hand in hand with safer and more efficient working conditions. Priority should be given to upgrades improving onboard storage, traceability equipment, communications systems and weather-forecasting tools.
MEPs describe digitalisation as “strategic”, saying it can reduce fuel use, optimise fishing routes and improve safety at sea. They call for mandatory energy audits for vessels and wider use of digital systems, including artificial intelligence, to streamline fishing operations.
However, the report warns that smaller operators are at particular risk, given their limited financial and technical capacity. MEPs insist that “a one-size-fits-all approach” will not work across Europe’s diverse fleets, regions and socio-economic realities. They call for targeted support measures to help small-scale fishermen transition without being pushed out of the industry.
New Gear, Bycatch Reduction And Updated Effort Rules
On fishing gear, MEPs urge a precautionary approach to new technologies, warning that innovation must not cause unforeseen environmental harm. Public funding should support fishermen adopting selective, sustainable gear that protects biodiversity and improves long-term stock stability.
They also want artificial intelligence used to detect bycatch risks, support selective fishing and improve catch-data accuracy.
MEPs call for a major overhaul of how “fishing effort” is measured. Instead of counting days at sea, they say EU rules should focus on “immersion time” or the actual period gear is actively fishing, arguing this would reflect the real pressure fleets place on stocks.
Parliament To Vote In December
The full European Parliament will vote on the Committee’s report during the December plenary session.
Background
The EU fleet now emits only 0.015 percent of global CO₂ emissions — a drop of around 50 percent since 1990 — but the sector faces growing operational challenges from climate change, including more extreme weather and shifts in fish distribution due to warming seas. With 76 percent of EU vessels classified as small-scale and many struggling with the rising cost of modernisation, MEPs say urgent structural reform is required.
