A European Parliament study warns the new EU budget plan could cut fisheries funding by 50%, risking data collection, fleet renewal and CFP delivery.
A European Parliament study has warned that proposed changes to the EU’s long‑term budget risk weakening financial support for the fishing sector, with consequences for fleet modernisation, fisheries control and delivery of the Common Fisheries Policy.
The report, commissioned by the Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, examines how the European Commission’s proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 would affect fisheries after the abolition of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.
Under the new structure, EMFAF would be replaced by a broader National and Regional Partnership framework, ending the system of a dedicated fisheries fund.
The study finds that the proposed budget would ring‑fence €2 billion for fisheries under shared management, compared with €6.6 billion provided through EMFAF during the current funding period.
When inflation and changes in eligible measures are taken into account, the report concludes that the amount available for fisheries would fall by around 50%.
Researchers warn that the reduced allocation would force Member States to set far stricter priorities, limiting support for fishing operations, vessel investment and innovation.
One of the main risks identified concerns fisheries data collection and control, both legal obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy.
Under EMFAF rules, at least 15% of national allocations must be dedicated to these activities. That requirement would be removed under the new framework.
The study estimates that maintaining data collection and control at current levels would require around €1.9 billion over the next budget period. No dedicated funding is guaranteed under the Commission’s proposal.
Stakeholders consulted for the study expressed strong concern that Member States would struggle to prioritise these obligations amid competing national budget pressures, potentially weakening stock assessment and enforcement.
The report also highlights uncertainty surrounding future support for fleet modernisation and decarbonisation.
Under the proposed system, vessel renewal and refit would no longer be funded through fisheries budgets but would instead fall under the planned European Competitiveness Fund.
The study finds no guarantee that fishing will be prioritised within that fund, which is intended to support strategic technologies across the entire EU economy.
It notes that the EU fishing fleet is ageing rapidly, profitability remains low and access to private capital is limited. Without predictable public funding, large‑scale fleet renewal is considered unlikely.
By replacing a dedicated fisheries fund with integrated national plans, the Commission aims to increase flexibility for Member States.
The study acknowledges possible benefits from closer links with regional development policies but warns that fisheries may be sidelined because of their relatively small economic weight.
Member States would also be free to set their own aid intensity rates, except for small‑scale coastal fishing, which could still receive up to 100% support. Researchers caution this may lead to uneven implementation across the EU.
The report is also critical of the proposed shift to a performance‑based funding system.
While dozens of new indicators are introduced, none clearly distinguish between fishing, aquaculture and processing, and no indicators specifically track outcomes for small‑scale coastal fisheries.
Most performance measures continue to rely on counting supported actions, which the authors say does not demonstrate real impact.
Fishing organisations, managing authorities and advisory councils consulted for the study broadly welcomed increased flexibility but warned that reduced funding security would make it harder to meet environmental, economic and social objectives under the CFP.
The report calls for clearer guarantees for fisheries funding, explicit provision for data collection and control, clearer rules for fleet support and performance indicators that properly reflect outcomes for fishing.
Without such changes, it concludes that the new EU budget framework risks widening the gap between fisheries policy ambitions and what can realistically be delivered at sea.
