EUROPEAN COMMISSION Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

 

11 July 2025   Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Newsletter

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In this issue Foreword   News   OCEAN by Euronews   Stories of the month   Events   Have your say   Funding opportunities   Publications and studies

Foreword

Dear readers, Exciting news this month as the EU and UK have formalised an agreement ensuring full reciprocal access to each other's waters until 2038. This landmark agreement reinforces our commitment to sustainable fishing practices, brings stability and predictability to both EU and UK fleets, and strengthens ties with our UK partners. Commissioner Costas Kadis and I took part in the EU Arctic Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue, and Arctic Youth Dialogue in Finland. Commissioner Kadis also visited the Saami Parliament where he met young representatives and Saami who proposed recommendations for sustainable regional development. As part of the simplification exercise, Commissioner Kadis hosted the 1st implementation dialogue on the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. This discussion came in light of the European Ocean Pact, which aims to review the MSP Directive and build on it to propose an Ocean Act. Finally, I would like to invite you to share your views on the fisheries external dimension through our call for evidence which is open till 15 September. Your expertise is invaluable in shaping policies that foster sustainable fisheries beyond EU waters. As we embrace the vibrant energy of the summer season, I wish you all a refreshing and joyful summer holiday. You may have the opportunity to enjoy some of the EU’s coastal waters. In 2024, around 89% of coastal bathing waters in the EU were classified as excellent! May this time be filled with sunny days, relaxation, and memorable moments with family and friends. Warm regards,  Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General  Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries @vitcheva_eu

News

Commission launches call for evidence to shape the EU strategy on fisheries external action The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to shape a new EU strategy for fisheries external action — a key step towards more sustainable and globally responsible ocean governance.    more     BlueInvest Africa 2025: registrations are now open BlueInvest Africa 2025  will take place on 15 and 16 October in Lomé, Togo, marking a key moment to connect projects, funding, and partnerships between Africa and Europe.    more     Commissioner Kadis hosts implementation dialogue on maritime spatial planning On 1 July Commissioner Kadis hosted an implementation dialogue on the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive.   more     The EU and UK formalise agreement on full reciprocal access to waters until 2038 The Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF) has adopted a decision setting out long-term arrangements between the EU and the UK, granting full reciprocal access to waters for fishing activities until 30 June 2038.   more     The EU Arctic Forum and Dialogues conclude with EU Commissioner Kadis’ visit to the Saami Parliament and policy recommendations from Arctic Youth and Saami As the EU Arctic Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue, and Arctic Youth Dialogue concluded, the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis visited the Saami Parliament in Finland, located in Inari.   more     Pioneering projects driving the EU's blue economy In an era marked by the urgent need for sustainable practices, innovative solutions are emerging across Europe, driven by dedicated teams and committed projects. We met some of these initiatives at the last edition of the European Maritime Day in Cork, and here is a gist of what we discovered.   more     Europe’s bathing waters safe for summer swimming From Europe’s coastal waters to its inland bathing sites, a large majority of Europe’s waters are safe to swim in, according to the latest European bathing water assessment for the 2024 bathing season.   more     EU invests €2.8 billion in 94 transport projects to boost sustainable and connected mobility across Europe The European Commission selected 94 transport projects to receive nearly €2.8 billion in EU grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). By modernising railways, inland waterways and maritime routes across the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), the projects will not only help better connect European regions and cities – north to south, east to west, but also make the EU's internal market more competitive, and more resilient.   more

OCEAN by Euronews

Euronews OCEAN Season 7, Episode 6 - Mauritania   Small fish like sardines, mackerel, and anchovies have been an important part of the diet in West Africa, providing protein and helping with food security. But in the last decade, the growth of fish meal and oil industries, which export these fish for animal feed, has led to overfishing.   more

Stories of the month

GenDC: Groundbreaking data collection method for smarter fisheries management Understanding fish populations is critical to managing Europe’s marine resources sustainably. Yet, for years, stock assessment scientists have struggled with a missing piece of the puzzle: genetic data of fish populations.   more     The rayed pearl oyster: a Mediterranean delicacy For decades the rayed pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata radiata) has quietly thrived beneath the Mediterranean waves. Yet, despite its abundance, this oyster remained absent from markets in Greece—not due to a lack of quality, but because Greek law didn’t officially recognise it as a commercial speci   more     VYLD: introducing the first tampon made from seaweed, backed by BlueInvest Each year, billions of disposable hygiene products, mostly made from plastics, lead to significant environmental waste, taking hundreds of years to break down and spreading harmful microplastics.   more

Events

Blueinvest Africa 2025 date 15/10/2025 - 16/10/2025 Registration Registration   more

Have your say

Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2026 Deadline 31/08/2025   more   EU strategy for fisheries external action Deadline 15/09/2025   more

Funding opportunities

EMODnet Secretariat and the European Atlas of the Seas Deadline 16/07/2025   more   EU4Ocean Coalition for ocean literacy Deadline 29/08/2025   more

Publications and studies

Hosting, maintenance and further development of the regional database for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (RDBFIS-II)   more

This newsletter is published by the European Commission's Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Visit our website: Oceans and Fisheries