Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and partners, Angelo,

Its an honor to join this conference on agrifood policy, organized by Euractiv. My gratitude goes to all panelists and especially to Koppert and Euractiv for bringing us together.

As the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, the topics we discuss today are close to my heart. My mission is to ensure not only the conservation of marine resources but also the prosperity of our blue economy, including fisheries and aquaculture, and to enhance EU food security.

The fisheries and aquaculture sectors are crucial for providing a stable, sustainable food supply to millions. Global demand for seafood is rising, and the EU still imports 70% of its seafood. Thus, protecting marine ecosystems and securing the future of our fishing industry is vital.

On February 16, the Commission presented its Vision for Agriculture and Food, aiming for a thriving, competitive, and fair agri-food sector by 2040. Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in this vision.

Generational renewal, fair economic conditions, and vibrant rural communities are essential. We must also strengthen the link between food, culture, and local traditions.

Balancing sustainability and competitiveness while ensuring global food security and sovereignty is crucial.

Effective fisheries management and sustainable aquaculture must be central to transforming our food systems. By promoting sustainable fishing practices, we can protect a key protein source and contribute to the resilience of our food systems.

Globally, the EU will enhance trade partnerships, reduce dependencies, and promote food diplomacy. These commitments are part of the Vision for Agriculture and Food and will be further developed in the upcoming European Ocean Pact and future Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture for 2040.

Over the past decade, weve laid a solid foundation for fisheries and aquaculture. Examples include progress since the 2013 revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which set goals like achieving maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and applying precautionary principles to prevent overfishing.

Weve made significant progress, but challenges remain on the path to full sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience.

We must address the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Adapting techniques and equipment for the green transition and digital transformation is necessary.

The fisheries and aquaculture sectors expect a comprehensive and credible response from the Commission, and I am committed to this. We must ensure our coastal communities and fishers thrive.

The CFP regulation evaluation is underway. It provides evidence-based insights into the regulations fitness and potential improvements.

The European Ocean Pact will offer a coherent framework for all ocean-related policies, focusing on sustainable use and resilience of marine resources.

Research, development, and innovation are key to making our sector sustainable and competitive. This will be fully addressed by the promised Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy.

In conclusion, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors face many challenges, but there are also immense opportunities. Everyone in the sector plays a key role in ensuring the EUs strategic food autonomy, competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

I invite you to join us in this endeavor. Together, we can build a resilient, thriving, and sustainable future for our fisheries and aquaculture sectors.