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Spanish Fishing Sector Praises European Ocean Pact's Recognition, But Demands Resources and Flags Inconsistencies

Spain's fleet, represented by Cepesca, welcomes the acknowledgment of fishing as a vital sector for European food sovereignty, yet expresses serious concerns over insufficient funding and the reintroduction of "obsolete" strategies within the Pact's annex.

MADRID – The Spanish fishing sector, through the Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca), has positively evaluated the publication of the European Ocean Pact. This stance aligns with that of Europêche and the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA), with all three organizations considering the initiative a crucial strategic step towards a resilient and sustainable maritime future for the European Union.

Cepesca specifically highlights the Pact's recognition of fishing as an essential economic sector within the overall framework of marine governance. For both the Spanish and broader European fleets, this represents a significant step forward in enhancing sector competitiveness, increasing sustainable seafood production, and fostering technological innovation, all while protecting healthy oceans and supporting the development of coastal communities.

The sector applauds the Pact's push for marine research, technological innovation, and the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, emphasizing the importance of case-by-case, science-based management of marine protected areas.

Among the measures most valued by fishermen are the 'Vision 2040 for fishing and aquaculture,' which, alongside the strategic review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), aims to ensure a competitive and resilient sector contributing to food security and sovereignty. Also welcomed is the development of an 'EU communication campaign on marine food products,' partially addressing the sector's demand for a European action plan for "blue foods."

Similarly, the sector values the introduction of a Maritime Industrial Strategy to foster synergies among blue economy actors and drive innovation, investment, and sustainable growth, as well as a specific Strategy for the Development and Resilience of Coastal Communities in 2026, which aims to bolster the crucial social and economic role of fishing in maintaining "vibrant" coastal areas. Finally, fishermen appreciate the Pact's inclusion of 'strengthening the EU's external action on fisheries,' including a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs); the introduction of a ‘blue generational renewal strategy’ to ensure the sector's long-term viability; the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to accelerate environmental objectives, simplify implementation, and reduce administrative burden; and the 'development of an ocean research and innovation strategy.'

According to Javier Garat, Secretary General of Cepesca and President of Europêche, "This Pact offers an opportunity to align fisheries policy with a modern, integrated model of ocean governance. We particularly value the ‘Vision 2040’ for fishing and aquaculture, and the plan to attract new generations to the sector.”

Concerns Over Funding and Contradictory Annex

Despite the positive assessment, the Spanish fishing sector has also expressed significant concern over the lack of additional financial resources to support the Pact's implementation. While current EU instruments, such as the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), provide support for research, scientific cooperation, and sustainable fisheries policies, the sector points out that the current budget is insufficient for the Pact's required magnitude. To alleviate this situation, the fishing sector calls for reinforcing and expanding the EMFAF in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), as well as launching a specific plan for the modernization and renewal of the European fishing fleet.

Furthermore, despite the seemingly good intentions of the Communication's main text, Cepesca is concerned that while the main text refers to a "possible revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)," the annex relies on obsolete 2020 objectives. A similar problem arises with environmental policies, where there is a return to narratives describing the fishing fleet, particularly bottom trawling, as the most damaging activity to the seabed. This raises concerns about the reintroduction of strategies widely criticized in the previous legislature, from which the new Commission had indicated its intention to distance itself. Such inconsistencies generate confusion and frustration within the sector. In this regard, Cepesca considers it a serious error to include in the annex the mention of the EU Marine Action Plan, which aspires to the gradual elimination of bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2030.

Javier Garat stated: "The Pact establishes a new framework designed to rationalize coordination, simplify reporting obligations, better apply existing legislation, and achieve intersectoral policy objectives. However, ambition must be accompanied by adequate resources and a move away from negative rhetoric about the fishing sector. We hope that the implementation of the proposed actions will be guided by the objective of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the fishing sector, ensuring a stable supply for the EU market."

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