**Oceana Calls for Support of Low-Impact Fishers at EU Conference**
In the wake of a high-level conference focused on islands and coastal communities, organized by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Oceana has urged EU leaders to prioritize low-impact fishers in upcoming legislative measures, particularly the Ocean Act. The organization emphasizes that granting preferential access to coastal waters for low-impact fishers over industrial fishing fleets is essential for bolstering local economies and enhancing the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change and other environmental pressures.
Vanya Vulperhorst, Head of Campaigns at Oceana in Europe, highlighted the significance of low-impact fishers in sustaining coastal communities. “Low-impact fishers are key to strengthening coastal communities by generating income, supplying local seafood, and preserving ways of life,” Vulperhorst stated. The conference, which took place in Paphos, was the final high-level event of the Cypriot Presidency before Ireland, another island nation, takes over the rotating EU Council Presidency.
Oceana presented its case during the conference, arguing that the EU’s strategies for islands and coastal communities will only be effective if concrete legal provisions are introduced in upcoming legislation, such as the Ocean Act. The organization also stressed the importance of fully implementing existing regulations, including the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
To support low-impact fishers, Oceana has proposed several key measures:
1. **Reserving Coastal Waters**: The organization advocates for the first 12 nautical miles from the coast to be reserved exclusively for low-impact fishers across the EU. This area should be protected from destructive fishing practices, such as bottom-trawling, which can severely damage marine ecosystems. Oceana points out that similar measures are already in place in 44 countries worldwide, suggesting that the EU is falling behind in this regard.
2. **Allocating Fishing Opportunities**: Oceana calls for increased fishing opportunities for low-impact fishers, emphasizing the need to prioritize fishing techniques and fleet segments that create jobs within coastal communities. This can be facilitated by fully implementing the existing CFP, which allows for the allocation of fishing quotas based on environmental, social, and economic criteria.
3. **Rebuilding Fish Stocks**: The organization urges the EU to focus on rebuilding fish stocks and protecting critical habitats as mandated by the CFP. Such actions are vital for enabling stock recovery and ensuring the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems, which in turn supports the fishing sector's prosperity.
As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1, 2026, Oceana sees this as an opportunity to build upon the initiatives set forth during the Cypriot Presidency. Vulperhorst emphasized the need for ongoing momentum in advocating for low-impact fishers, stating, “Oceana calls on Commissioner Costas Kadis to maintain the momentum after the Cypriot presidency and ensure that low-impact fishers are heard in decisions on the future of EU fisheries.”
The organization argues that a robust Ocean Act is crucial for recovering fish stocks and ensuring the livelihoods of low-impact fishers. By doing so, Oceana believes that low-impact fishing can become a thriving, future-proof sector that is resilient to both climate impacts and economic challenges.
Oceana is recognized as the largest international organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, with a mission to rebuild abundant and biodiverse oceans through science-based policies. The organization has achieved over 350 victories in its campaigns, contributing to the health of oceans, coastal communities, and the planet.
As the EU prepares to address the future of fisheries and ocean management, the call from Oceana for preferential access for low-impact fishers highlights the ongoing debate surrounding sustainable fishing practices and the protection of marine ecosystems. The outcomes of these discussions will be pivotal in shaping the future of fishing in Europe and ensuring the sustainability of coastal communities reliant on these resources.