Overseas
The request for a 2026 moratorium on new EU rules for the Mediterranean has become Italy’s central political message. The statement made by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida at the meeting of EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers on 17 November marked a turning point. His expression was sharp: the operation may have succeeded, but the patient — Italian fisheries — is dead.
The minister presented a scenario with no room for misinterpretation. Italian fishing communities continue to lose vessels and labour, and the generational turnover has stalled. Despite years of restrictions, several stocks have not shown the expected recovery. Yet for Italy, the crisis is not only environmental. It is also economic and competitive. Imported fish produced under looser rules enters Europe at lower prices and displaces domestic products. Auction values fall, and many vessel owners choose scrapping over unsustainable operations.
Italy’s Call for a Moratorium in 2026
Before his European colleagues, Lollobrigida asked for a pause in new measures for the Mediterranean in 2026. The fishing effort, especially in trawling, has reached levels that jeopardize economic viability. The minister described this request as a red line that Italy will defend at every negotiation step.
The European Commission presented two regulatory proposals that will guide the next phase of discussions. One concerns Atlantic and North Sea fishing opportunities from 2026 to 2028. The second introduces new measures for the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 2026. These proposals are based on ICES scientific advice and EU multiannual plans. However, Lollobrigida questioned whether Brussels’ timelines reflect Mediterranean realities or risk emptying marinerie before stocks recover.
The issue is not only Italian. Several ministers acknowledged that the Mediterranean has unique structural fragilities, not comparable to the Atlantic or North Sea. Danish minister Jacob Jensen, chairing the session, stressed the need for a balanced political agreement by December. That balance must integrate biological sustainability with the resilience of coastal economies built on fishing traditions.
The Three Pillars of the CFP
Lollobrigida recalled a principle often overlooked in current EU discussions. The Common Fisheries Policy stands on three pillars: resource conservation, safeguarding maritime labour and supporting the sector’s economy. When a single pillar carries the entire weight, the system becomes unstable.
The decisive moment will come in December, when new TACs and 2026 measures are adopted. Only then will it be clear whether Italy’s message has influenced the negotiation or whether the Mediterranean will face another year of restrictions without adequate support.
The coming months will define the balance between sustainability, competitiveness and social resilience in Mediterranean fisheries. The outcome will directly impact the entire supply chain, from primary production to processing and distribution.
Pesceinrete will continue to closely monitor the European negotiations, providing analysis and updates for all operators across the supply chain.
