Dear Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Outermost Regions,
Dear representatives and Honourable Members of the European Institutions,
Dear Ministers and Secretaries of State and distinguished guests,
It is a pleasure and an honour to speak to you today at this High-Level Outermost Regions Forum.
As Executive Vice-President Fitto and Commissioner Hansen underlined, the European Union stands firmly with the Outermost Regions. In my portfolio, this means commitment to sustainable, competitive and resilient fisheries, aquaculture and blue economies across all Outermost Regions.
I would also like to thank you for the concerns, needs, and priorities you have shared throughout our consultations and exchanges.
This dialogue is not only valuable — it is an essential pillar of EU policymaking.
Looking ahead, the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy regulation will be finalised in spring 2026 and will guide the 2040 Vision for EU fisheries and aquaculture. The specific realities of the Outermost Regions will be fully reflected in both the evaluation and the Vision.
I know that fleet renewal remains one of your greatest concerns. Many vessels are ageing; some face safety issues; and operations take place in challenging socio-economic and climatic conditions. Safe vessels, healthy stocks, and sustainable fishing practices must go hand in hand. Demonstrating this balance has not always been straightforward.
This is why Commission services – advised by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (known as STECF) - have been revising the guidelines used to assess fleet balance. A revision of the guidelines was last carried out in 2024. As announced in the European Ocean Pact, we are now finalising these revised guidelines, based on the best available science, and giving full consideration to the unique characteristics of Outermost Regions fleets and their fishing opportunities.
Our decisions must be grounded in robust data. I encourage Member States to reinforce fisheries data collection through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Stronger data means clearer assessments and faster decisions.
The European Ocean Pact also recognises the essential role of coastal and island communities, including those in the Outermost Regions. Since the 2022 Communication on a sustainable blue economy, we have worked to empower Outermost Regions to develop their own blue economy strategies, leveraging their specific maritime assets and EU support.
Looking ahead to 2026, several new EU strategies will further support Outermost Regions development. These include a new Strategy for Islands and Coastal Communities, and the Ocean Act. Together, they will shape a more resilient future for the EU and our coastal regions.
Through the EMFAF, €315 million is ring-fenced specifically for the Outermost Regions. I strongly encourage you to make full use of these funds to also strengthen fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal communities — driving structural development, resilience, and quality jobs.
We also stand with you in international cooperation. Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements take Outermost Regions needs into account, offering concrete benefits — as demonstrated by the Mauritania Agreement, which provides important opportunities for the Canary Islands fleet.
Finally, we continue to intensify action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, including through bilateral engagement with countries operating in the waters of French Guiana. We monitor this closely and are ready to take further steps whenever necessary.
Together, step by step, we are building a stronger and more resilient future for our Unions Outermost Regions. They are Europes outposts in the world. And with their vast exclusive economic zones, they amplify Europes wealth, influence and power on the global stage.
