One European legislature left a lasting impression on the fishing industry, not for its success but for the worries it stirred, especially as June 2024 drew near. With fresh elections in the Twenty-Seven underway, that sense of upheaval persisted, tied to restrictive policies that felt like they were washing over the sector. Brussels loomed large, framing events that left thousands of livelihoods in limbo and communities closely monitoring every development.
The veto on bottom fishing set a heavy backdrop, affecting 87 regions of the North Atlantic just a year after it took effect. The latest move that stirred concern among shipowners and fishermen alike was a controversial plan unveiled by the European Commission on February 21. It essentially formalized a trawling ban across all marine protected areas, with a target to restrict 30% of the sea surface by 2030. The measure prompted immediate debate about how best to balance conservation with the needs of coastal communities.
In the months that followed, the plan faced vocal resistance from major EU players such as Spain, France, and Germany. Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius found his stance tempered by his team in early April, which framed the proposal not as a binding objective but as an invitation to dialogue. The political landscape suggested the debate would be far from settled as elections approached.
Discussion intensified as Parliament and member states prepared for a clearer position. The European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee (PECH) has been scrutinizing the draft, and its members released a report that signaled a cautious path forward. The committee’s vote, recorded recently with 20 in favor and 4 against, reflected a clear preference to curb aggressive expansion of the policy. The document also raised concerns that the action plan lacks alignment with other Commission priorities, such as safeguarding food security, ensuring the Union’s strategic autonomy, and maintaining fair competition with third countries.
Voices from the fishing industry, gathered by Faro de Vigo from the Prensa Ibérica group, welcomed the PECH decision and argued that the European Commission’s approach misreads the sector’s realities. Industry representatives stressed that Sinkevicius’ environmental protections must be weighed against the socioeconomic conditions of fisheries across the EU. The broader message was a call for policies that respect both biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on the seas.
Approval of the draft report is set to move to Strasbourg, with sources indicating a vote in the European Parliament early next year. That vote is expected to delineate the Parliament’s stance relative to the Commission’s published action plan. Should the plan pass, there would be a three-month window for the Commission to articulate its position and for negotiations to begin in earnest.
What remains clear is that Strasbourg’s eventual decision will shape future discussions led by the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The outcome may influence whether fisheries policy remains a standalone area or is folded into a broader agricultural framework, depending on how Brussels chooses to frame the next steps.
An “unrealistic” measure
PECH issued a pointed statement, criticizing the action plan as unrealistic. Among those voicing concerns was the Galician MEP Francisco Millán Mon, who underscored the need to develop regulatory controls through constructive dialogue with the fishing communities affected. The Fisheries Committee emphasized that the initiative lacks a balance between biodiversity goals and the economic realities of the fishing industry, questioning the Commission’s approach and urging the use of existing funds to support a transition toward more selective fishing techniques.
The European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA) also weighed in after the draft’s approval, challenging the plan and describing it as a wake-up call to EU legislators. The group argued that the policy risks undermining the survival and food security of the EU fleet and urged the Commission to rethink its strategy and operational priorities. They pointed out that Europe imports a substantial share of its seafood, highlighting a need for policies that support sustainable harvests while preserving domestic supply.