27 April 2026 19:30 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says ocean diplomacy boosts EU fisheries competitiveness

Key points

Leverage ocean diplomacy to strengthen competitiveness
Strengthen transparency, enforcement and CATCH digital certification

TL;DR

The Commission recognises growing environmental, climate and geopolitical challenges affecting EU seas, outermost regions, islands and coastlines.
The Commission says it will leverage multilateral fora and instruments such as Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements to promote sustainable fisheries.
The Commission indicates it will strengthen transparency and enforcement, pursue the CATCH digital certification system, and boost synergies between the Common Fisheries Policy, trade and international partnerships.
The Commission is launching a new MedFish4Ever political declaration process with a high-level conference on 5 May in Cyprus and is evaluating the CFP to develop a 2040 Vision for fisheries and aquaculture.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kadis on the Role of Ocean Diplomacy in the Competitiveness of EU Fisheries and Aquaculture at the European Parliament Strasbourg, 27 April 2026 Honourable Members, Let me begin by sincerely thanking Ms Zovko for her report, which is a comprehensive and forward- looking contribution to shaping the EU's ocean diplomacy. This report comes at a crucial moment. The Union faces growing challenges at sea, its outermost regions, islands and its coastline — from environmental pressures and climate impacts to geopolitical competition in an increasingly volatile context, and the need to ensure fair conditions for our fishers. The European Commission recognises the importance of ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance. One of the six pillars of the European Ocean Pact focuses on this area. The issues raised in the report are directly informing the work currently underway in the Commission, in particular on fisheries external action. In this context, its strong emphasis on ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of our sector is both timely and well placed. The Commission fully agrees that the Union should leverage its engagement in multilateral fora. Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements are strategic instruments of ocean diplomacy to promote sustainable fisheries, transparency and accountability globally. We will also continue engaging with Coastal States, to guarantee EU fishers fair and sustainable fishing opportunities and a genuine level playing field, while preventing overfishing. The report also highlights the importance of strengthening transparency, including on fleet activities and beneficial ownership, and of making full use of available instruments to address non-compliance. The Commission will take these elements forward in its reflections, including regarding how the Union can strengthen enforcement. As the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing remains a top priority, we will also pursue the implementation of the new digital certification system for fisheries products entering the EU, CATCH, while boosting synergies between the Common Fisheries Policy, trade and international partnerships. I also take note of your call to enhance the EU's global outreach and leadership through a more strategic and globally influential communication approach. This should go hand in hand with deeper partnerships — notably in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Building on these efforts, I am launching the process for a new MedFish4Ever political declaration, with a high-level conference on the 5 th of May in Cyprus, to which the European Parliament has been invited. Honourable Members, This report is also complementary to the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, which will form the basis for developing the upcoming Vision for fisheries and aquaculture with a 2040 perspective, including a strategy for fisheries external action. As we assess the CFP Regulation, we are looking closely at how to simplify procedures, reduce burdens, and ensure that our framework remains fit for purpose in a rapidly changing context. We will not hesitate to propose targeted amendments if it is needed. Your points on integrating fisheries more fully into broader food security strategies, supporting competitiveness and sustainability, and ensuring fair conditions for all operators — including in outermost regions — will be carefully considered in this exercise. I look forward to hearing your views and to continuing our close cooperation as we advance towards a fisheries sector that is competitive, sustainable, and underpinned by healthy oceans. SPEECH/26/898

European Commission says ocean diplomacy boosts EU fisheries competitiveness

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