Questions and answers on the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture

Why is the Commission presenting the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture now?

Fisheries and aquaculture directly employ around 200,000 people in the EU, with several hundred thousand more working in processing, distribution and retail. Yet, the sector is facing rapid and far-reaching change. Climate change is affecting aquatic ecosystems; energy costs are rising and competition for maritime space is increasing. At the same time, low profitability in parts of the sector, together with an ageing fleet and workforce, is making it harder to attract a new generation of workers.

The recent evaluation of the common fisheries policy (CFP) Regulation draws a mixed picture: while the report acknowledges some progress in reducing overfishing and strengthening fisheries management, it also shows that there are still shortcomings in sustainability gains. It also showed that the economic performance of the EU fleet has not improved as expected, while EU aquaculture production has largely stagnated. The EU also remains highly dependent on imports of aquatic food.

Against this backdrop, the Vision sets a shared direction for building a competitive, resilient and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector by 2040. It translates the findings of the evaluation of the CFP Regulation into a strategic vision to overcome these challenges and bring prosperity and new entrants to the sector.

The Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture is also a concrete deliverable of the European Ocean Pact,  presented in June 2025. In addition, it responds directly to Commissioner for fisheries and oceans, Costas Kadis' mission letter which called for the preparation of a “vision for the fisheries sector with a 2040 perspective” which “tackles the issues that affect the fishing community, supports job creation in the sector and ensures its long-term competitiveness and sustainability”.

What will be the concrete benefits for fishers and aquaculture producers?

The Vision 2040 aims to give the sector greater predictability, support investment and help build viable and resilient fisheries and aquaculture business models.

By defining a clear strategic direction for the next 15 years, it will provide fishers, aquaculture producers and other operators with greater certainty on the key factors that shape their businesses, including the regulatory framework, access to finance, access to maritime space, research and innovation and the energy transition.

The Vision supports small-scale producers and generational renewal. It promotes opportunities to diversify activities and income, supports investment, innovation and fleet modernisation, strengthens skills and working conditions, and aims to improve access to finance. More broadly, it aims to reinforce the resilience of businesses and coastal communities.

How will the Vision 2040 create the right conditions for investment and growth in fisheries and aquaculture?

The Vision 2040 sets out how the EU will help create a more attractive, stable and future-oriented investment environment for both fisheries and aquaculture.

In fisheries, the Vision highlights fleet modernisation, energy transition and income diversification as key investment priorities and seeks to improve the conditions for mobilising private capital. Considering the needs for energy transition and improving working conditions on board, the Commission will propose an update to the 2014 Guidelines for assessing the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities.

In this context, the Commission may also explore complementary indicators to improve how fishing capacity is assessed, next to capacity for social or environmental purposes.

In aquaculture, the Vision seeks to unlock the sector's sustainable growth by working with Member States towards a clear, coherent and simple regulatory framework for aquaculture across the EU. This should give businesses the predictability and certainty they need to invest, innovate and expand. Public funding will continue to play an important role in de-risking innovative projects and attracting private investment, including in high-end innovation and skills development.

To support this, the Commission will propose next year an EU Initiative on Sustainable Aquaculture.

In addition, the Commission proposal for the future EU financial framework earmarks at least €2 billion under the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) for areas linked to the CFP, including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine conservation and restoration.

The Commission will also strengthen cooperation with the European Investment Bank and national promotional banks to propose tailored financing solutions. Private funding will be essential to complement public support, scale up and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable, competitive and resilient fisheries and aquaculture sector.

How does the Vision 2040 ensure the sustainability of marine resources?

The Vision 2040 underlines that the competitiveness and long-term resilience of coastal and rural communities depend on a healthy marine environment. It therefore places environmental sustainability at the heart of its approach, acknowledging that depleted aquatic resources cannot sustain a thriving and competitive sector.

The Commission underlines that sustainable fisheries and aquaculture must go hand in hand with the protection of natural resources. It also highlights the potential of financial instruments, such as nature credits, to create additional income opportunities for operators who commit to sustainable practices.

What is the link between the Vision 2040 and the future of the CFP?

The recent evaluation confirmed that the CFP remains a solid framework for ensuring the long-term environmental sustainability of EU fisheries; however, the slow pace of progress in reducing fishing pressure since 2014 remains a serious concern.

It also highlighted the need for further progress on economic and social sustainability. Through Vision 2040, the Commission addresses these challenges through concrete actions.

Specifically, the Commission will advance work on five priorities:

• First, reducing unwanted catches. The landing obligation, requiring all catches of regulated species to be brought to port has not produced the expected results, notably in the way it is applied in practice. Following a dedicated dialogue with the sector later this year, the Commission will explore dedicated solutions, including the potential of new technologies and more comprehensive catch documentation.
• Second, modernising and decarbonising the fleet. This will help vessels reduce emissions and improve working conditions on board. It will include updating the 2014 Guidelines on balancing fishing capacity with fishing opportunities and looking into issues such as harvesting capacity and capacity linked to the needs of energy transition and better social conditions.
• Third, strengthening support for small-scale fishers, including through dedicated provisions in the Ocean Act framework.
• Fourth, ensuring fair competition. This means preserving a level playing field and protecting the EU fisheries value chain from unfair global competition, in particular on seafood products.
• Fifth, providing greater certainty for investors and aquaculture operators, while helping Member States unlock the full potential of EU aquaculture. This will be implemented through a dedicated legislative instrument aimed at ensuring a clear, simplified and coherent regulatory and administrative framework across the EU.

How does this Vision take into account the current discussions on the multiannual financial framework (MFF)?

The Vision sets out a long-term policy perspective for EU fisheries and aquaculture that is consistent with ongoing reflections on the future MFF and extends beyond the 2028-2034 period. Public support from the EU and its Member States will remain essential to make the sector more attractive to future generations of fishers and aquaculture producers across the Union.

The Commission has proposed a minimum ring-fenced allocation of €2 billion under the NRPPs for core CFP functions.  Member States may, and are encouraged to, complement this funding in line with their national priorities, including for the essential financing of fisheries control and data collection.

More broadly, the proposed architecture of the future MFF would enable Member States to develop more integrated responses and stronger synergies across policy areas, notably community-led local development, generational renewal and aquaculture. The proposal also foresees additional support through the European Competitiveness Fund.

Why do we need an EU strategy for fisheries external action at the core of the Vision 2040?

70% of the aquatic food consumed in the EU is imported. Reliance on global value chains and fish stocks under shared management increase the EU's exposure to geopolitical uncertainty. This situation requires the promotion of sustainable fisheries globally and a consistent and effective EU external action is essential.

A renewed EU strategy for fisheries external action should strengthen the EU's role in promoting sustainable fisheries and international ocean governance within a rapidly evolving framework of international agreements. It should also support the resilience and security of the EU's aquatic food supply by reinforcing multilateral, regional and bilateral fisheries partnerships, while ensuring a level playing field based on equivalent rules and standards for all fleets and countries.

Key actions will include developing a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs); strengthening regional fisheries management organisations; stepping up the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; including through dialogue and through implementing available tools.

By 2040, the EU should rely on a more efficient and sustainable external fleet supplying sufficient aquatic food. This should be underpinned by stronger international partnerships, more sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and fair global competition for EU operators.

What steps are being taken to support the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture?

The energy transition sits at the centre of the Vision 2040. It recognises that reducing fossil fuels dependency is essential for fisheries and aquaculture sustainability, but also for their competitiveness and resilience to fuel price volatility.

The Vision sets out a roadmap for the energy transition of the sector, identifying strategic actions across funding, regulation, governance and innovation.

The energy transition of the sector will focus on two phases:

• The first phase will focus on helping the sector mainly adopting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through research and innovation in technologies and alternative fuels. It will also help identify the skills needed, while preparing the ground for the sector's longer- term transition.
• The second phase will focus on scaling up the development and uptake of sustainable fuels, technologies and infrastructure as well as the skills development required to make the transition possible.

What are the next steps in implementing the Vision 2040?

The Commission will seek to improve the existing legal framework and put forward targeted initiatives on the identified priority areas and seek stakeholder input from the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Work is also under way to simplify the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and the Multiannual Plans.

Further steps include the planned adoption of the Ocean Act and integrating the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) into EU law, harmonising training and certification standards for fishers.

The Vision encourages Member States and regional and local authorities to develop bottom-up strategies tailored to their circumstances, using tools and financing available to them, including the future NRPPs and community-led local development.

For more information

Press release: Commission presents its strategic Vision 2040 for a thriving fisheries and aquaculture sector 

Factsheet