The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of the own-initiative report on the decarbonisation and modernisation of EU fisheries.

According to ECR Shadow Rapporteur Bert-Jan Ruissen, the file “sends a clear political signal to the European Commission that cleaner fisheries require workable rules, accessible funding and realistic timelines”.

With Europe’s fishing fleet ageing rapidly and more than 70% of seafood consumed in the EU already imported, often at lower standards, the report calls on the Commission to remove regulatory barriers that prevent investment, to adapt funding rules under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and beyond, and to ensure that safety upgrades, new propulsion systems and better working conditions are no longer treated as increased fishing capacity.

Mr Ruissen said:

“Decarbonisation will only succeed if the EU fixes the rules that currently block fleet renewal and investment.”

“An ageing fleet cannot modernise on slogans alone. Fishers need accessible funding and realistic conditions to invest in cleaner and safer vessels.”

“Climate ambition must be matched with technological reality, not new burdens imposed before solutions exist.”