mare-webmaster@ec.europa.eu:Maritime Affairs & Fisheries Newsletter 10/10/2025

 

10 October 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   Publications and studies

Foreword

Dear readers, I started the week with a very positive note, signing the new protocol of the partnership with São Tomé and Príncipe on behalf of the EU. This agreement will support sustainable fisheries, enhance local fishing communities, and guarantee EU vessels can responsibly fish around 6,500 tonnes of tuna and migratory species annually.   Ahead of the Council of Ministers meeting at the end of the month, set to decide on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2026, we recently concluded the third ‘Our Baltic Conference’. Commissioners Kadis and Roswall are leading efforts to tackle Baltic Sea fisheries and environmental challenges.   Globally, the 9th Copernicus report has sounded the alarm on ocean health, highlighting issues such as unprecedented warming and invasive species. These findings underline the urgent need for action to protect marine biodiversity and coastal economies.  I’m happy to inform you that the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement has reached a historic milestone, with the 60 ratifications necessary for entry into force on 17 January 2026, and with the support of the EU. This treaty is an important step toward safeguarding marine ecosystems in the high seas.  In September, the Commission also proposed the 2026 fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, which means we are entering the key season of fishing opportunities negotiations which will lead us up to December.  Do not miss the latest OCEAN episode by Euronews which focuses on the Atlantic bluefin tuna, a species that in recent decades went from near collapse to remarkable recovery thanks notably to quotas, strict controls, limiting fishing seasons and reduced fleets.  Warm regards,  Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General  Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries @vitcheva_eu

News

EU and São Tomé and Príncipe renew sustainable fisheries partnership The European Union and São Tomé and Príncipe have signed a new protocol to continue their 40-year-old partnership on fisheries.   more     Global ocean conservation treaty enters into force 19 September marked a historic milestone for ocean conservation as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement reached 60 ratifications, triggering its entry into force in early 2026.   more     Commission leads efforts to tackle Baltic Sea fisheries and environmental challenges On 30 September Commissioners Costas Kadis and Jessika Roswall hosted the third edition of the ‘Our Baltic Conference’. Gathering Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries ministers from the EU Baltic countries, along with European Parliament representatives and regional stakeholders,   more     Baltic Sea recovery: bridging science and policy in Lithuania On 18 September 2025, and as part of the Annual Science Conference 2025, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) co-hosted the side event “For and from the Baltic.   more     Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2026 in the Mediterranean and Black Seas The Commission has adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2026 for the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The proposal promotes the sustainable management of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and delivers on the political commitments made in the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Declarations.   more     From Arctic to tropics, Commission report sounds alarm on ocean health Every part of the ocean is now under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, according to the ninth report on the state of the ocean, published today by the Marine Environment Monitoring Service of Copernicus, the EU Earth observation system.   more     Fishing vessel engine power - new Commission guidance for monitoring and control The European Commission has published two technical guidance documents to support EU countries in improving their systems for monitoring and controlling the engine power of fishing vessels.      more

OCEAN by Euronews

Euronews OCEAN Season 7, Episode 9 - EU Tuna recovery   Once a symbol of overfishing, bluefin tuna is now regarded as one of the Mediterranean’s greatest recovery stories.   more

Stories of the month

ZERO44: cutting costs for greener shipping solutions with BlueInvest support Berlin-based startup ZERO44 is helping the shipping companies navigate the fast-changing world of decarbonisation regulations. Its platform enables shipowners, operators, and managers to measure, forecast, and optimise fuel use - reducing both emissions and carbon-related costs.   more     Fuelling Europe’s green energy revolution with mussel by-products In the French region of Brittany, a pioneering project is transforming undersized mussels, once considered waste, into valuable green energy through methanisation. This process produces methane gas, a renewable energy, from organic materials.   more     POWER4MED: Charting a cleaner course for Mediterranean shipping The Mediterranean is one of the busiest seas in the world, carrying millions of passengers and tonnes of goods every year. But this economic lifeline comes with an environmental cost.   more     A new digital gateway for Swedish aquaculture The Food Fish Farmers, known in Sweden as Matfiskodlarna, serves as the country’s hub for aquaculture knowledge. With the support from the EU, the organisation developed a modern digital gateway to strengthen knowledge exchange, support collaboration, and inspire the future of Swedish aquaculture.   more

Map of the month

Which areas in the Atlantic Ocean are well suited for yellowfin tuna? The MISSION ATLANTIC project, funded by Horizon 2020, has studied Atlantic Ocean ecosystems to understand what changes affects marine biodiversity and ocean resources. Check out the Map of the Month, created from the project's findings, to see how suitable the shallow Atlantic waters are for 30 key commercial fish species, including the yellowfin tuna. This information is important for sustainable fisheries management.   more

Events

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

Have your say

EU-Mauritius fisheries agreement – negotiation mandate for a new protocol Deadline 27/10/2025   more

Publications and studies

Technical specifications and guidance for the implementation of devices for the continuous monitoring of catching vessels’ engine power   more     Technical guidance for the monitoring, certification and verification of engine power in EU fisheries control   more   Improving scientific advice on deepwater sharks in the SIOFA area   more     Improving scientific advice on deepwater sharks in the SIOFA area - Annexes   more

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