MEPs Demand Urgent Decarbonisation of EU’s Ageing Fishing Fleet – The Fishing Daily

Report on the European Parliament Fisheries Committee’s Call for Sectoral Reform

1.0 Introduction: Aligning EU Fisheries with Sustainable Development Goals

The European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee has adopted a report advocating for comprehensive reforms to European Union (EU) fishing policy. The report, approved by a vote of 19 to three with three abstentions, identifies critical barriers to modernization and decarbonization within the current regulatory framework. It calls for a strategic overhaul to align the sector with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

2.0 Analysis of Current Sectoral Challenges

The Committee’s report highlights significant structural issues hindering the progress towards a sustainable and modern fishing industry. These challenges directly impede the achievement of multiple SDGs.

• Aging Fleet Infrastructure: The average age of an EU fishing vessel is 31.5 years, a state which compromises efficiency, safety, and environmental performance. This directly conflicts with the objectives of SDG 9 by representing outdated infrastructure.
• Investment Barriers: Current regulations under the Common Fisheries Policy and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) are cited as actively discouraging public and private investment in fleet renewal. This creates a bottleneck for innovation and the adoption of green technologies essential for SDG 13.
• Socio-Economic Vulnerability: A significant portion of the fleet (76%) consists of small-scale vessels with limited financial capacity for modernization. This poses a risk to livelihoods and equitable growth, a core concern of SDG 8.

3.0 Key Recommendations for a Sustainable Transition

To address these challenges and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Committee proposes a multi-faceted strategy focused on investment, innovation, and conservation.

3.1 Financial and Policy Framework Overhaul

A fundamental shift in funding and regulation is required to facilitate the transition, directly supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Establish new fleet renewal schemes that integrate EU funding, state aid, and private capital.
2. Rewrite investment rules “from design to delivery” to support the modernization of vessels and port infrastructure, including the installation of new energy systems.
3. Provide targeted financial and technical support for small-scale operators to ensure a just transition and prevent economic displacement, in line with SDG 8.

3.2 Technological Modernization and Digitalization

The report emphasizes leveraging technology to enhance sustainability and efficiency, contributing to SDG 9 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Decarbonization and Efficiency: Mandate energy audits for vessels and promote digitalization to reduce fuel consumption and optimize fishing routes, directly addressing SDG 13.
• Improved Working Conditions: Prioritize upgrades that improve safety and onboard conditions, such as enhanced communication systems, weather-forecasting tools, and storage facilities, contributing to SDG 8.
• Data and Traceability: Utilize digital systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve traceability, streamline operations, and enhance safety at sea.

3.3 Enhancing Marine Conservation and Biodiversity

The recommendations aim to strengthen the environmental stewardship of the fishing sector, which is central to SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

1. Sustainable Fishing Gear: Direct public funding towards the adoption of selective and sustainable gear that minimizes environmental impact, protects biodiversity, and ensures long-term fish stock stability.
2. Bycatch Reduction: Employ AI and other technologies to detect bycatch risks and support more selective fishing practices, thereby improving the accuracy of catch data and reducing waste.
3. Reform of Effort Measurement: Overhaul the definition of “fishing effort” from “days at sea” to “immersion time” to more accurately reflect the pressure on marine ecosystems and improve stock management.

4.0 Conclusion and Next Steps

The Committee’s report concludes that urgent structural reform is imperative for the EU fishing fleet to meet its climate-neutrality targets and operate in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. The proposed measures aim to create an industry that is environmentally responsible, economically resilient, and socially equitable. The full European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the report during its December plenary session.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues related to the European Union’s fishing fleet, which connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on modernizing the fleet for environmental sustainability, economic viability, and improved working conditions. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most central SDG, as the article directly deals with the fishing industry. It covers the need for sustainable fishing practices, protecting marine biodiversity, reducing bycatch, and ensuring the long-term stability of fish stocks.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions the goal of decarbonisation to meet the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality target. It discusses reducing the fleet’s CO₂ emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather and shifts in fish distribution.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The call for major reforms to fund fleet renewal, modernise ports, install new energy infrastructure, and adopt digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) directly relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation within the fishing industry.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article highlights the need to improve working conditions, making them safer and more efficient. It also addresses the economic challenges faced by the sector, particularly small-scale operators, and calls for investment to ensure the industry’s long-term economic viability.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The push for decarbonisation and fleet modernisation implies a transition towards more energy-efficient technologies and cleaner energy sources, which is central to this goal. The call for mandatory energy audits for vessels supports this connection.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 14 (Life Below Water):
   • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices…” This is addressed through the call to adopt selective, sustainable gear, use AI to improve catch-data accuracy, and overhaul how “fishing effort” is measured to better reflect the pressure on fish stocks.
   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems…” The emphasis on adopting gear that protects biodiversity and reduces bycatch directly supports this target.
   • Target 14.b: “Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.” The article specifically calls for “targeted support measures to help small-scale fishermen transition without being pushed out of the industry,” directly aligning with this target.
2. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The entire push to reform EU law (Common Fisheries Policy) to facilitate decarbonisation and meet the 2050 climate-neutrality target is a clear example of integrating climate measures into sectoral policy.
3. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.4: “By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…” This is central to the article’s theme, which calls for fleet renewal, redesigning vessels, modernising ports, and using digital systems and AI to streamline operations and reduce fuel use.
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…” The call to modernise ports and install new energy infrastructure directly relates to this target.
4. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…” The article stresses that decarbonisation must be linked with “safer and more efficient working conditions” and improved safety at sea through better communication and weather-forecasting tools.
   • Target 8.2: “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…” The focus on modernisation, digitalisation, and adopting AI to optimise fishing routes and reduce costs aims to increase the productivity and viability of the fishing sector.
5. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.3: “By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.” The call for “mandatory energy audits for vessels” and using digitalisation to “reduce fuel use” directly contributes to improving energy efficiency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Average age of the EU fleet: The article states the current average age is 31.5 years. A reduction in this average age would be a direct indicator of progress in fleet renewal (relevant to SDG 9).
• CO₂ emissions from the fleet: The article notes a 50% drop in emissions since 1990. Continued monitoring and reduction of CO₂ emissions would be a key indicator for decarbonisation efforts (relevant to SDG 13 and SDG 7).
• Level of public and private investment: The article highlights that current rules block investment. An increase in the amount of EU funding, state aid, and private capital flowing into fleet modernisation would be a clear indicator of success (relevant to SDG 9).
• Adoption rate of digital technologies: Progress could be measured by the percentage of the fleet using digital systems, AI, modern communications, and traceability equipment (relevant to SDG 9 and SDG 8).
• Measure of fishing effort: The proposed shift from measuring “days at sea” to “immersion time” is itself an indicator of a policy change aimed at more accurate stock management (relevant to SDG 14).
• Bycatch rates: While not giving a specific number, the call to use AI to detect bycatch risks and adopt selective gear implies that a reduction in bycatch is a desired outcome and a measurable indicator of environmental performance (relevant to SDG 14).
• Proportion of small-scale vessels receiving support: The article mentions that 76% of EU vessels are small-scale. The number or percentage of these operators receiving targeted support for modernisation would be an indicator of an equitable transition (relevant to SDG 14.b).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thefishingdaily.com