MEPs say maritime spatial planning has failed fisheries, calling for stronger coordination and recognition of fishermen as a strategic sector.
Fisheries Committee Finds Current Legal Framework Falling Short
Members of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee say the EU’s maritime spatial planning framework has failed to deliver meaningful benefits for fisheries, leaving fishing interests marginalised as competition for sea space intensifies.
In a report adopted by 24 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions, Fisheries Committee MEPs criticised the uneven implementation of maritime spatial plans across EU member states. In some countries these plans are legally binding, while in others they are non‑binding, creating uncertainty for fisheries and aquaculture operators.
MEPs also highlighted wide differences in how maritime spatial plans are applied across EU sea basins, undermining predictability and stability for fishing activities and failing to reduce conflict between users of maritime space.
Insufficient Integration of Fisheries and Aquaculture
The report, drafted by Stéphanie Yon‑Courtin (Renew, France), concludes that the current legal framework missed the opportunity to improve conditions for fisheries and aquaculture. MEPs argue that maritime spatial planning has not done enough to integrate fishing interests or actively address spatial pressures affecting the sector.
According to the committee, fisheries face cumulative impacts from offshore energy developments, marine protected areas, shipping routes, and defence zones. These pressures continue to marginalise fishing activities and restrict access to traditional fishing grounds.
MEPs warn that fisheries and aquaculture are often overshadowed by other, more powerful or economically important sectors, such as offshore energy, creating an imbalance in planning outcomes.
They add that operators from larger sectors often bypass consultation processes at the expense of less organised actors, such as small‑scale fishermen.
Offshore Energy Siting a Key Concern
Offshore renewable energy, particularly wind energy, was identified as a major source of spatial conflict. The committee argued that offshore windfarms should be placed in zones that are less suitable for fishing, in order to reduce pressure on fishing activity and limit displacement of fishermen.
MEPs stressed that maritime spatial planning must better anticipate the long‑term impacts of energy infrastructure on fishing areas to avoid further erosion of the sector’s economic viability.
Coastal Communities Still Lack Real Influence
Despite improved involvement of stakeholders in maritime planning processes, the Fisheries Committee said coastal communities and fishermen still lack genuine influence over final decisions.
MEPs called for renewed mechanisms to ensure meaningful participation, warning that current consultation processes often fail to reflect the realities faced by fishing communities on the ground.
The report underlines the need for coastal communities to be fully involved from the earliest stages of maritime spatial planning, rather than being consulted once plans are already largely defined.
Call for Greater Coordination Across Authorities
For a more balanced use of maritime space, MEPs urged EU countries to strengthen coordination at multiple levels. This includes improved cooperation between member states, tighter alignment between national and regional authorities, and stronger horizontal coordination across different government departments.
The committee also called for a more bottom‑up approach to maritime spatial planning, arguing that local and regional knowledge must play a greater role in decision‑making.
Fisheries Urged to be Recognised as a Strategic Sector
MEPs stressed that fisheries and aquaculture should be formally recognised as strategic sectors of major public interest. They cited the role of fishing in contributing to EU food sovereignty, food security, strategic autonomy, and employment in coastal areas.
Recognition of fisheries as a strategic sector would, according to the report, help ensure that fishing interests are no longer sidelined when competing with other maritime industries.
Next Steps at Plenary Level
The report is expected to be put to a vote by the European Parliament as a whole during the May plenary session.
MEPs said the growing number of maritime activities — including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, offshore energy, tourism, underwater cables and defence — is intensifying pressure on marine ecosystems and increasing conflict over access to maritime space, making reform of maritime spatial planning increasingly urgent.
