EUROPEAN COMMISSION:Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

 

16 September 2025   Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Newsletter

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

Foreword

Dear readers, I just came back from Rome attending insightful European and Mediterranean Coast Guard Functions Fora as only collectively can we strengthen our cooperation and navigate the complexities of our shared maritime space and ensure its protection and resilience. This month, I am excited to spotlight developments that are shaping the future of our ocean and fisheries. Earlier in August, we proposed the 2026 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea. The proposal addresses the challenging state of several fisheries and sets Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for ten stocks managed by the EU. The Baltic Sea is in a dire situation and will be the focus of the “Our Baltic” high-level ministerial meeting on 30 September in Stockholm with Commissioner Kadis. In a continued effort to restore our waters, the EU is investing €116 million into 13 innovative projects under the latest Mission Ocean and Waters calls. These initiatives will deliver significant benefits to the ocean and its communities. As World Cleanup Day approaches, I encourage everyone to join the #EUBeachCleanup campaign and raise awareness about marine litter. Your participation is not only essential – it is a powerful step towards driving meaningful change and protecting our ocean.  Let’s create waves of positive impact! And lastly, stay informed with our Q&A on the new budget proposal for 2028-2034, focusing on fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean-related activities. Warm regards,  Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General  Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries @vitcheva_eu

News

EU welcomes entry into force of WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies The European Union welcomes the long-awaited entry into force of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a major milestone after two decades of intense multilateral negotiations.   more     Questions and answers on the new 2028-2034 budget proposal – fisheries, aquaculture and ocean-related activities What is the aim of this budget proposal and what does it mean for fisheries, aquaculture and ocean-related activities? The Commission’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 2034 proposal is a fundamental redesign of the EU budget to make it more integrated, flexible and performance-oriented   more     Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2026 in the Baltic Sea The proposal responds to a scientific assessment that indicates several fisheries are in a dire situation and puts forward total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for the ten stocks managed by the EU in the Baltic Sea.   more     EU invests €116 million in 13 projects to restore ocean and waters A new wave of projects has secured funding under the latest EU Mission Ocean and Waters calls. With a total budget of €116 million, the 13 projects selected will deliver a wide variety of benefits to the ocean and waters in the EU and beyond, as well as the communities that rely on them.   more     BlueInvest Africa 2025: shaping Africa’s blue future The countdown to BlueInvest Africa 2025 is on - and momentum is building fast. On 15-16 October, Lomé, Togo, will host the EU’s flagship business event dedicated to accelerating sustainable blue economy and innovation in Africa.   more     Algae: new Commission study explores their bright future Building a sustainable society means changing how we produce and consume, especially when faced with challenges like food security, water pollution, and climate change.   more

OCEAN by Euronews

Euronews OCEAN Season 7, Episode 8 - Offshore greenhouses   Offshore wind farms already power millions of homes — but what if they could also grow seaweed? In Europe, this vision is becoming reality. In this episode of Ocean, we visit the world’s first commercial-scale seaweed farm inside an offshore wind park, Hollandse Kust Zuid, 18 km off the Dutch coast.   more

Stories of the month

SeaCras: monitoring ocean health thanks to BlueInvest As pollution and climate change threaten our ocean, Croatian start-up SeaCras is stepping up with smart technology to help protect marine environments. Behind this innovation is a compelling story of scientific ambition turned entrepreneurial success and backed by the EU BlueInvest initiative.   more     Floating piers unlock Bulgarian lake access, sparking nationwide interest Batak Dam in southern Bulgaria is a tranquil spot surrounded by forested hills, popular for camping, angling and water sports. However, fluctuating water levels have long made access to the dam’s shoreline difficult and sometimes even dangerous.   more     GreenMED: Green shipping pathways towards a clean energy transition in the Mediterranean With EU support, the GreenMED project is helping coastal communities and the maritime industry prepare for a cleaner, more sustainable future.   more     Discover Crete’s underwater treasures: The Stalis reef dive park Crete’s crystal-clear waters and rich marine biodiversity have long attracted visitors, but diving tourism has remained underdeveloped. A pioneering EU-funded project has successfully launched Crete’s first dedicated diving park in Stalis   more

Map of the month

Wind farms and algae production Discover the Map of the Month to locate wind farms and macroalgae production sites across Europe. The map displays macroalgae production sites by production method—land-based, offshore, and coastal aquaculture or harvesting. It also shows offshore wind farms planned or under construction in European waters. Click on the symbols and polygons for more details and zoom in to explore specific areas.   more

Events

For and From the Baltic: Navigating the Future of Fisheries with Ecosystem-Based Management date 18/09/2025 Registration Registration   more   Macro-regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days 2025 date 24/09/2025 - 25/09/2025   more   Our Baltic Ministerial Conference date 30/09/2025   more   Blueinvest Africa 2025 date 15/10/2025 - 16/10/2025 Registration Registration   more

Have your say

EU strategy for fisheries external action Deadline 17/09/2025   more

Funding opportunities

BlueInvest Platform Deadline 25/09/2025   more

Publications and studies

Study to support a sustainable EU algae industry   more     Fishmeal and fish oil   more

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