The European Commission has presented a strategy for the next 15 years in European Union fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on reducing by-catches, renewing fleets and energy efficiency.
© Reuters
20/10/2026
by
Lusa
A European Commission today presented its strategy for the next 15 years in European Union (EU) fisheries and aquaculture focusing on reducing by-catches and renewing fleets.
“ By 2030, the main objective of Vision is to improve energy and resource efficiency, develop new technologies and skills, and use the clean fuels available. From 2030 onwards, efforts will focus on extending the scale of low and zero emissions technologies, with funding support, infrastructure and fleet modernisation,” according to a press release.
Vision highlights five priorities for the sector, starting with the reduction of unwanted catches, with the Commission taking on the search for specific solutions supported by new technologies.
The renewal and decarbonisation of fleets, reducing the ecological footprint and balancing capacity with fishing opportunities, and strengthening support for artisanal fishermen are also targets of the document.
By 2040, the Commission also wants to ensure fair competition in the fisheries and aquaculture sector by maintaining equal conditions of competition and protecting the EU's fishing value chain from unfair global competition, especially in sea products.
Fifthly, the objective is to provide greater predictability for investors and aquaculture operators, to be achieved through a dedicated legislative instrument.
The 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture must now be converted into measures.