Group photo of the Rethink Fisheries Speakers and Organisers who are calling for fairer fishing policies for small-scale fishers.
Credit: Melting Prod – Olivier Anbergen
At this year’s Ocean Week event, three small-scale fishers—Gwen Pennarun, Muireann Kavanagh, and Isaac Moya Bofill—travelled to Brussels to advocate for a fairer playing field in the fishing industry.
Representing France, Ireland, and Spain respectively, they called on newly elected MEPs to support small-scale, low-impact fisheries in addressing sustainability and socio-economic challenges faced by the sector.
The fishers shared their struggles, which include being excluded from fishing certain commercial species near their homes while large-scale operators dominate the waters. They also highlighted the depletion of fish stocks during spawning seasons and the challenges of operating under marketing regulations designed for mass-production fisheries rather than those focused on high-quality products.
Gwen Pennarun, President of the Brittany Handliners Association and Director of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe, emphasised the importance of supporting sustainable fishing practices. “Article 17 (of the Common Fisheries Policy) is there, but Member States need to do more to enforce it. Small-scale fishers practice sustainable fishing, aware of the fragility of the resource and the environment. We need to help preserve this way of working,” she said.
From left to right: Gwen Pennarun, Tobias Troll (Seas at Risk – acting as host), Muireann Kavanagh, Isaac Moya Bofill. Credits: Melting Prod – Olivier Anbergen
An overview of the event held in Brussels. Credits: Melting Prod – Olivier Anbergen
For decades, European seas have been dominated by industrial, high-impact fishing operations that receive the lion’s share of quotas. These large-scale fleets contribute significantly to ocean degradation, particularly in sensitive areas, threatening the long-term sustainability of fishing stocks. Muireann Kavanagh, from the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO), criticised the EU’s approach to fisheries, stating, “Their idea is to allow factory boats with large diesel engines and huge nets that are causing serious damage to the environment and fish stocks. Compare that to my small fishing boat with a small engine and 6 hooks on a line you can hold in one hand.”
The fishers gathered in front of the European Parliament as part of the “Rethink Fisheries: For Thriving Seas and Communities” event, a key highlight of Ocean Week 2024. The event, which attracted over 150 participants, was a collaborative effort involving NGOs, fishers, MEPs, academics, and the public. Its goal was to explore sustainable fisheries solutions and support vibrant coastal communities, with a particular focus on empowering small-scale fishers.
Small-scale, low-impact fisheries operate with a holistic approach, balancing environmental sustainability with socio-economic needs. During the Make Fishing Fair session, the fishers shared their experiences of resilience, working in harmony with marine ecosystems while preserving the cultural heritage of coastal communities.
The event followed the delivery of the Make Fishing Fair open letter, signed by 37 small-scale fisher organisations across Europe, to Virginijus Sinkevičius’ team, the former Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans & Fisheries. The letter urged the European Commission and Member States to take action in supporting small-scale, low-impact fishers, recognising their critical role in managing stocks, protecting the sea, and supporting coastal communities.
Source: Press Release