This Week in Fisheries — Brussels (#15, 2026)
Fisheries committee adopts reports on Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and Baltic Sea plan; draft opinion issued on EU budget tracking rules; draft opinion on new cohesion and maritime fund.
April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026
Fisheries committee adopts reports on Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and Baltic Sea plan; draft opinion issued on EU budget tracking rules; draft opinion on new cohesion and maritime fund.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council: On April 27, the EU Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
EP Committee Work
REPORT on the impact of the implementation of Directive 2014/89/EU, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins
The Committee on Fisheries (PECH) adopted its report on 23 April 2026, led by rapporteur Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, assessing the effects of Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in various regions. The report (A-10-2026-0120) examines how maritime spatial planning has influenced fishing activities, resource allocation, and sectoral coordination. Recommendations address implementation discrepancies between Member States and the integration of fisheries objectives in planning processes. The document notes the involvement of industry groups and regional authorities in the drafting process. The report will inform future legislative and funding decisions regarding maritime planning and fisheries.
REPORT on the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward
On 23 April 2026, the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) adopted a report (A-10-2026-0121), with Isabella Lövin as rapporteur, reviewing the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea. The report evaluates the plan’s impact on stock management, fishing quotas, and environmental objectives. It discusses challenges such as declining fish stocks, cross-border cooperation, and the application of the precautionary principle. The findings provide a basis for future amendments or extensions of the Baltic Sea multiannual plan.
DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework and other horizontal rules for Union programmes and activities
The Committee on Fisheries (PECH) issued a draft opinion on 20 April 2026 on COM(2025)0545, with Isabelle Le Callennec as rapporteur for opinion, concerning a proposal to set up a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework for Union programmes, including fisheries. The draft opinion (PECH_PA(2026)787654) reviews the compatibility of the proposed regulation with existing fisheries rules and addresses administrative burden, the application of the 'do no significant harm' principle, gender equality requirements, and competitiveness monitoring. Specific amendments clarify the regulation’s scope in relation to fisheries and outermost regions, and address performance indicators for tracking sectoral objectives.
DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034
On 20 April 2026, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) published a draft opinion (SEDE_PA(2026)787638), rapporteur Ana Catarina Mendes, on the new European Fund covering cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, and maritime measures for the 2028-2034 period. The draft opinion addresses the fund’s structure, objectives, and the integration of security and defence priorities alongside fisheries and maritime policy. The document will contribute to the ongoing legislative negotiations on the EU’s multiannual financial framework.
What We're Reading This Week
- FOR-MAR, Fisheries and Sea Vocational Training Centre - EPALE - Eur...: FOR-MAR expands vocational training opportunities, equipping workers with essential skills for sustainable fisheries and maritime industries in Europe.
- Informal meetings of Agriculture and Fisheries ministers: EU agriculture and fisheries ministers convene informally to discuss policy coordination and address sector challenges collaboratively.
- New Report Highlights Gaps and Opportunities in Farmed Fish Welfare across Europe: European farmed fish welfare standards show significant disparities, revealing urgent areas for improvement and potential for policy intervention.
- Emergency funding to shield fisheries and aquaculture from Middle East crisis: International aid is being deployed to protect seafood supply chains and livelihoods threatened by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- Brussels set to lure Iceland into EU with fishing policy exceptions: Brussels considers special fishing rights for Iceland to encourage its accession talks with the European Union.
