Urgent call for European fisheries roadmap

The roadmap aims to outline strategies for achieving climate neutrality in fisheries by 2050, a commitment initially made in February 2023.

However, its release has been delayed due to the Commission’s decision to form a support group for the Energy Transition Partnership, despite the urgent need for decarbonisation to protect marine biodiversity from destructive fishing practices.

“The Commission must publish a clear plan of action by the end of 2024, or it will hinder progress toward the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050,” said Vera Coelho, Oceana deputy vice president in Europe.

“The energy transition in EU fisheries must start immediately to create a sustainable, competitive, and resilient sector that reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and on destructive fishing practices.”

Decarbonisation report

A recent report from ClientEarth highlights the potential of capacity ceilings, such as gross tonnage and total power, in facilitating decarbonisation. Although some industries claim these ceilings hinder the transition by limiting the use of less energy-dense fuels, many EU member states have not reached these limits, indicating viable paths for hybrid or fully decarbonised fleets.

“A roadmap with specific measures and financial incentives could guide member states towards adopting low-impact and energy efficient fishing methods without relying on tax breaks,” said Laurène Provost, lead lawyer at ClientEarth.

“This would also help them reduce significant emissions that currently reach 7.3 million tonnes of CO2 per year and shift away from tax subsidies which currently amount to between €700 million and €1.3 billion each year.”

Moreover, the Commission’s roadmap could influence ongoing negotiations regarding the Energy Taxation Directive, which are currently favouring the extension of fossil fuel tax exemptions for the maritime sector.

This policy direction contradicts the Common Fisheries Policy’s objectives and undermines efforts to combat climate change, adversely affecting low-impact artisanal fishers and their coastal communities, say the researchers.

“These subsidies disproportionately benefit large industrial fleets which heavily rely on them for their profitability,” said Didier Gascuel, professor in marine ecology and fisheries science at Institut Agro, France. “A shift toward low-impact, energy-efficient fishing methods is crucial for both climate action and economic sustainability.”