European fisheries are entering a decisive phase in their energy transition. This is the picture that emerged from the meeting held the day before yesterday in Brussels between representatives of the blue economy supply chain and the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis. At the table sat SEA Europe, Europêche, Copa-Cogeca, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), and the European Association of Fish Producer Organisations (EAPO), gathered in a delegation representing the entire production spectrum: fishers, aquaculture operators, cooperatives, producer organisations, shipyards, workers and maritime technology companies.
The message delivered to the Commissioner was clear: the sector’s commitment to decarbonisation exists, is concrete, and is shared. But today it is progressing slowly, hindered by regulatory and financial barriers that make it harder to turn intentions into real outcomes.
Insufficient onboard space: rules designed for the past
One of the main issues raised by the organisations concerns the EU regulations that set the maximum dimensions and volumes of fishing vessels. These rules were created for different contexts and are poorly suited to a sector now required to adopt new propulsion technologies—from hybrid systems to electric solutions and alternative fuels.
All these innovations require extra internal capacity and additional space for batteries, tanks, or technical equipment. Being unable to install them effectively prevents the fleet from upgrading.
Beyond the energy aspect, this constraint also limits the ability to improve working conditions on board and crew safety. For the organisations, it is a limitation that makes the sector less competitive and, above all, less attractive to young people—just when generational renewal is urgently needed.
Insufficient funding and weak political signals
Alongside technical constraints, the most pressing issue is funding. The sector reiterated that the energy transition cannot be achieved without adequate and stable public support.
Current programmes, although useful, are deemed insufficient in scale and too rigid in terms of eligible investments. Many necessary interventions—from modernising fishing vessels to adopting low-emission technologies—are currently excluded or financially unsustainable for businesses.
Hence the request for:
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a revision of EU funding rules;
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a European plan for fleet renewal, including the decommissioning of obsolete units;
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dedicated financial tools combining EU and national funds with public guarantees, to reduce the risks of private investment.
Political certainty, the organisations stressed, is essential for guiding long-term investments. Today, according to the sector, this certainty is lacking.
Training, safety and collaboration across the whole supply chain
The shift toward new technologies also implies a profound change in everyday work both at sea and on land. Updated skills are needed, along with investments in safety, more modern working conditions, and closer cooperation between fishers, shipbuilders, technology developers and investment actors.
This is why the organisations call for a permanent dialogue between fisheries, shipyards, investors and research centres, to ensure that innovation does not remain confined to experimentation but is rapidly transferred to the European fleets.
The supply chain also asks that fisheries and aquaculture be fully integrated into the EU maritime transport energy strategies, instead of being treated as separate sectors.
The final appeal: a “Fisheries and Aquaculture Omnibus” to move from plans to implementation
The organisations came to Commissioner Kadis with a common goal: to move the fisheries energy transition from the intention stage to the implementation stage.
To do this, they are calling for swift regulatory action—an “Omnibus” dedicated to fisheries and aquaculture—that removes the most urgent obstacles without waiting for a full reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
This request is accompanied by the need for simpler and more realistic access to EU funds dedicated to the energy transition and fleet renewal, along with a stable political framework capable of restoring investor confidence.
Commissioner Kadis welcomed the sector’s considerations, reaffirming his willingness to work on a forward-looking roadmap aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, sustainability and social responsibility of Europe’s blue economy.
The meeting with Kadis therefore represents an important step in a historic moment for European fisheries. The sector is ready to accelerate decarbonisation, but is asking the EU to provide the right tools: regulations aligned with modern technologies, truly accessible funding, and a political path capable of ensuring stability. The message is clear: the energy transition cannot remain an abstract goal—operative and timely decisions are needed.
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