Opening Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the Social Dialogue Committee for Fisheries

Good afternoon, dear members of this committee, esteemed colleagues and partners,

Thank you for inviting me for a joint discussion on the social dimension of EU fisheries.

I have already had a chance to meet with the associations represented here bilaterally. Continuing our dialogue also in this format is important, as your work and this cooperation is vital in shaping the policy and driving forward solutions to the challenges of today.

You have a very noble role – fostering the well-being of fishers who are the backbone of EUs food security and of our coastal communities.

To set the context for our exchange, I would like to say a few words on several political priorities of my portfolio, to which you have contributed and will continue to do so through our engagement.

I will start with the ongoing evaluation of the common fisheries policy (CFP) Regulation.

The evaluation is progressing well. In your contributions, you have highlighted concerns about the landing obligation, international level playing field, and the need to integrate the social dimension in the CFP – all top concerns for stakeholders.

These issues will be carefully evaluated. The final collection of relevant quantitative data is underway for over 200 indicators. Relevant studies are already out and are being analysed.

We aim to publish the evaluation in spring 2026.

The findings of the evaluation, enriched by all the discussions I have had with stakeholders since the beginning of my mandate, including during my visits to coastal communities, will be the basis for developing the Vision for a resilient and competitive fisheries and aquaculture sector in a 2040 perspective.

My intention is to present the 2040 vision in the autumn next year, together with the EU Strategy for Fisheries External Action and the Energy Transition Roadmap.

These initiatives must lay the foundations for the generational renewal in the sector, by ensuring its growing attractiveness.

The sectors attractiveness goes through better working conditions and safety on board, modern vessels with lower operational costs, increasing fishers profitability and more selective gears, ensuring sustainable practices and productive ecosystems for the next generation of fishers.

The Blue Generational Renewal Strategy announced in the European Ocean Pact for 2027, will further develop the path chartered with the Vision 2040.

EMFAF, as well as the newly proposed MFF, enable financial support to these important priorities.

I want to come back to what I said a moment ago – the fishing practices of today must ensure that there is fish and a productive ocean for the next generation of fishers.

This is something we must keep in mind when setting fishing opportunities as without fish, there are no fishers.

At the same time, I am acutely aware of the socio-economic implications of the decisions for the fishers of today. It is a very fine balance that we are seeking to strike.

In the Atlantic, responsible catch limits have reduced over-exploitation, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.

In the Baltic Sea the dire environmental state requires urgent action to allow a rebuilding trajectory of the fish stocks. I believe this is what we achieved with the 2026 fishing opportunities agreed in the Council last week. The Commission and the Baltic Member States also committed to ask for a specific scientific advice on rebuilding trajectories. In parallel, we need full and effective implementation of the relevant EU legislation at all levels.

In the western Mediterranean, given the collaborative efforts and innovative strategies adopted by the fishing sector and stakeholders since 2020, we are witnessing the start of our sectors transition towards ecological sustainability and enhanced socio-economic prosperity.

The implementation of the WestMED MAP is producing positive results. In its recent assessment, the STECF states that for 6 stocks the trends in effort reduction and biomass increase are positive, indicating a positive response However, to date, only 2 out of 13 stocks are fished in line with the MSY objective to the MAP implementation. However, to date, only 2 out of 13 stocks are fished in line with the MSY objective. The hake stocks have seen a significant drop in fishing mortality in the last year and the biomass is increasing; nevertheless, they remain below healthy biological levels and further efforts are needed to reach Fmsy. This year, like last year, we will rely on a compensation scheme that will enable fishing while promoting sustainable fishing practices.

We further have an opportunity to advance swiftly and effectively on innovation and energy transition for our industry, taking also into account the balance between fishing opportunities and fishing capacity. This is an underlying factor for the profitability of the fleet.

In parallel, we continue advancing conservation measures in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), enhancing compliance, and establishing a level playing field. On my initiative, next year we will launch the process towards a new MedFish4Ever Declaration to guide GFCM through the following decade.

I also want to update you on our work with regard to training and certification of fishers.

Reflections continue on the best way to advance the implementation of the  International Maritime Organisation Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for fishing vessel personnel onboard EU vessels. We must weigh our options against the significant costs and administrative burden of new legislation for the public administrations of countries that have few or no large-scale vessels.

Skills remain vital for the resilience and adaptability in both the fisheries and aquaculture sector. We are reflecting on how to go ahead, recognising the complexity involved and the need for an impact assessment to guide us in this process.

Looking at the external dimension of our policy and the need for a level playing field, the EU is a leading advocate for higher labour standards and crew safety in international fisheries.

EU fleets follow the International Labour Organisations (ILO) ‘Work in Fishing Convention, setting a strong example for others and we promote these standards in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), protecting fishers and ensuring fair competition.

Despite opposition from global actors like China and Taiwan, progress has been made, particularly within the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. These organisations adopted binding minimum labour standards in December 2024, even if below EU standards.

Other RFMOs have only non-binding frameworks, and more effort is needed to align them with EU standards.

Social clauses in our fisheries agreements with third countries are now also the norm. Our discussions with partner countries include updated social clauses in the protocols, such as the importance of training for fishers. Sectoral support can help, and my services have been working with the International Labour Organisation to identify synergies.

One of the priorities of my mandate is developing a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs).

Our vision of a new generation SFPAs will be part of the EUs new external fisheries strategy, which I mentioned earlier. Any future agreements need to be more transparent, efficient, resilient, and adaptable, securing access to healthy resources. Input is welcome and we are reviewing a recommendation from the Long-Distance Advisory Council.

I want to conclude with a few words on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.

Our ambitions for a common fisheries policy that is a pillar of food security and the backbone of our coastal communities has to be matched with the necessary funding.

The Commission proposal introduces a flexible, performance-based EU budget tailored to national and regional needs.

The support available under the next MFF has the potential to go beyond the 2021-2027 EMFAF budget, offering greater opportunities. Member States, in collaboration with the sector, must make strategic choices on how to allocate the funds.  

The newly proposed MFF supports all our policies and sectors through its three main pillars, namely:  the National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans  fund, the Competitiveness Fund and the Global Europe Fund.  

The NRP fund has a dedicated, ringfenced allocation of 2 billion Euros for some parts of our policy, such as sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, innovation, common markets organisations, marine restoration efforts and compensation in times of crisis. Moreover, Member States can – and should – use parts of the rest of their NRP funds to support coastal communities, core elements of the CFP such as control and data collection, and blue economy activities, to name a few.  In the meantime, swift implementation of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) national programmes is essential.

Thank you for the attention. I look forward to your views on these and other issues that have your focus today.