ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF FISHING ENTERPRISES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Press Releases

European Tuna Freezers’ Fleet Hit Hard by IOTC's Double Standards

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)’s 28th session, held from May 13th to 17th in Bangkok, Thailand, ended on a bitter note for the European fleet. Focusing on FAD measures, IOTC has successfully created a smoke screen to mask its serious governance deficiencies and failure to adequately manage fish stocks, especially yellowfin and neritic tunas or enforce proper monitoring, control, and surveillance.

European Strategic Seafood Alliance launched at Seafood Expo with a united call: “Eat Fish”

AIPCE CEP, EAPO, EUROPECHE, and FEAP, representing the EU fisheries and aquaculture industries, today announced their intent to form a strategic alliance aimed at advancing shared goals and promoting critical industry priorities on a broader stage at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona.

GREEN TO BLUE Conference on Empowering Sentinels of the Sea for Sustainable Futures

Brussels, 11 April 2024 - The ‘GREEN TO BLUE: Upskilling for Sustainable Futures in Fisheries & Aquaculture’ Conference, held on April 10th, emerged as a pivotal event in advocating for sustainable practices within the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Hosted by Europêche, this gathering marked the culmination of the European Erasmus+ project 'Green to Blue,' aimed at enhancing the professional skills of individuals working in these vital industries.

News

iFish, We Fish

The commercial fisheries of the EU stretch for thousands of square miles, from the inhospitable seas of the Arctic North, to the warmer and more favourable climes of the Southern Mediterranean. These communal waters harbour a plethora of commercial species of fish and shellfish, the landings of which form an integral part of the economies of 23 member countries, accounting for a colossal 4.9 million tonne catch, from a fleet of 87,500 vessels, a statistic that indicates a world ranking of 5th largest in terms of total output.

European Projects

Home by the Sea -Can fisheries and wind farms co-exist?

Sustainable fishing activities require space as does the development and operation of offshore wind farms. In order to safeguard the future of our seas and oceans, the EU adopted back in 2014 a Directive for maritime and coastal spatial planning urging Member States to ensure that human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way and reduce users’ conflicts. At the same time, to tackle climate change, EU governments are determined to answer to the EU’s Paris Agreement nationally determined contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990. For this purpose, some countries are pushing to increase offshore wind power 40-fold by 2030 in Europe.

Needless to say, the European wind industry has an ambitious plan, hereby claiming a vast amount of space. Therefore, the question 'Can fisheries and wind farms co-exist?’ is a relevant but complex question which will become more pressing in the near future.

Home by the Sea by Hiske Ridder. www.conpuls.nl

On behalf of and many thanks to: Job Schot, Dirk Kraak and Cor Vonk,  www.vissersvoorvrijezee.nl. Julien Theore, Silvain Gallaisl and Olivier Becquet, https://pecheursartisans.com. Bertrand Wendling, https://sathoan.fr. Pim Visser, VisNed.nl. Rosalie Tukker, http://europeche.chil.me.