The NWWAC urges an integrated approach in the EU Ocean Pact, balancing sustainability, food security, and coastal resilience
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has issued a strong statement to the High-Level Group on the EU Ocean Pact, calling for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to ocean governance.
The advisory body, representing stakeholders from across the fishing industry, emphasised the need to move beyond fragmented management models and towards a cohesive, multisectoral strategy that ensures sustainability, economic resilience, and food security.
In its statement, the NWWAC outlined five key priorities that must be addressed within the EU Ocean Pact to ensure the long-term viability of marine resources while also supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
The NWWAC urged policymakers to abandon sector-specific regulations in favour of a multispecies, multisectoral approach to fisheries and ocean management. The advisory body argued that the current patchwork of EU policies lacks coherence and called for greater alignment between existing frameworks such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Maritime Spatial Planning, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy. It emphasised the need for integration of conservation efforts with the socio-economic realities of coastal communities and a governance model that accounts for all marine pressures, including land-based pollution and climate change. The NWWAC stressed that the Ocean Pact must ensure that no sector is left behind, calling for better collaboration between policymakers, fishers, and environmental stakeholders.
The NWWAC also highlighted the importance of science-led, adaptive management, calling for stronger scientific research to guide fisheries policies, data-driven decision-making that considers evolving marine ecosystems, and a balance between conservation and economic viability to ensure the competitiveness of EU fishing fleets. It urged greater clarity on how the EU Common Fisheries Policy aligns with the Ocean Pact, particularly as climate change shifts fish stocks and alters ecosystem dynamics.
Recognising the crucial role of the fishing sector in maintaining European food security, the NWWAC called for investment in sustainable fishing through innovations in low-impact, low-carbon fishing technologies, recognition of the high sustainability standards already upheld by EU fishers, and increased funding for scientific research and industry-led sustainability initiatives. The advisory council also called for fair competition policies to ensure that European seafood is not undercut by imports with lower sustainability standards, stating that the EU must use all available tools to protect the European fishing industry and maintain a level playing field between domestic and imported products.
To bridge the gap between scientific assessments and industry realities, the NWWAC called for better data collection and sharing mechanisms, including real-time monitoring of fish stocks and environmental changes, greater transparency in fisheries data reporting among EU Member States, and stronger collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and fishers to create evidence-based solutions. The advisory council also urged the EU to prioritise funding for marine science, ensuring that research institutions and industry stakeholders have the resources needed to support sustainable fisheries management.
The NWWAC expressed concern over the economic vulnerability of fisheries-dependent communities, warning that many coastal economies are struggling due to climate change, market shifts, and fleet displacements. It called for EU policies to protect traditional fishing practices while fostering new economic opportunities in the blue economy. Financial aid and training programmes should be expanded to help fishers adapt to changing environmental and regulatory conditions. The NWWAC stressed that the Ocean Pact must reinforce policies that support fishers, ensuring that the socio-economic fabric of coastal regions remains intact.
The NWWAC’s recommendations place fishing at the heart of the EU’s Ocean Pact discussions, ensuring that sustainability goals do not come at the expense of the communities that rely on the sea. The advisory council urged EU decision-makers to take a pragmatic and inclusive approach, balancing environmental protection, economic resilience, and food security. With negotiations ongoing, the NWWAC’s input will play a critical role in shaping the future of European ocean governance.