EUROPEAN COMMISSION:Maritime Affairs & Fisheries Newsletter 18/05/2026

 

20 May 2026   Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Newsletter

Follow us

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

Foreword

Dear readers, We start the week with good news from the Indian Ocean: we secured an important agreement on swordfish management at the IOTC annual session, which will be beneficial to the EU fleet. This month, we published the extensive evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, covering 2014–2024. While 63% of stocks are now fished sustainably (up from 50% in 2014), the report highlights persistent challenges: slow stock recovery, economic pressures, and uneven implementation. We now want to see whether this diagnosis is shared by our community before moving to any next steps. This discussion is essential to draw the right conclusions and will serve as a foundation for the Commission's 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture, planned for the autumn. To address the Middle East crisis, we have launched the Temporary State Aid Framework to help Member States offset fuelcosts and maintain the EMFAF crisis mechanism. During my recent visit to Finland, I had the opportunity to exchange on key developments in the Baltic fisheries, the potential of aquaculture, and visited the new Blue Economy Centre in Turku. The discussions were inspiring and offered valuable perspectives on the state of play and future of our sectors. Looking ahead, a key event this month is the 2026 European Maritime Day (EMD) in Limassol, Cyprus (21–22 May) uniting businesses, policymakers, and innovators in the sustainable blue economy. Join the livestream for the plenary sessions. Finally, I encourage you to contribute to the European Ocean Act. The public consultation is open until 16 July. Warm regards, Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries @vitcheva_eu

News

EU helps forge a future for Indian Ocean swordfish The European Union helped secure an important agreement in Malé, Maldives, at the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), introducing a new measure to better manage Indian Ocean swordfish. The agreement is based on a joint proposal from the EU and Australia.   more     Commission evaluation shows slow progress in fishing sustainability and ongoing challenges for EU fishers The European Commission published its evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, covering the decade from 2014 to 2024.   more     EU and Mediterranean neighbours commit to new declaration to rebuild fish stocks EU and Mediterranean countries today committed to continue their cooperation to rebuild Mediterranean fish stocks, agreeing to adopt a new MedFish4Ever Declaration in 2027.   more     Commission adopts temporary State aid framework to support sectors affected by Middle East crisis The European Commission has adopted a temporary State aid framework to enable Member States to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis.   more     New study on fishing fleet capacity and sustainability Today, the European Commission published a study assessing the state of the EU fishing fleet, including its evolution, the challenges it currently faces and its future sustainability.   more     Commission launches public consultation on the European Ocean Act The Commission has launched a public consultation to help shape the European Ocean Act, a key legislative proposal under the European Ocean Pact, set for adoption in 2026.    more     EU and Iceland advance ocean cooperation at high-level dialogue in Reykjavik The European Union and Iceland held today a High-Level Dialogue on ocean cooperation in Reykjavik, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable fisheries, Arctic governance, and the blue economy.   more     The shocks that made the EU fisheries and aquaculture market tremble For many Europeans, fish is a staple at home, a special restaurant meal for celebrations, or the centrepiece of a Sunday lunch. Yet behind all this lies a complex system that has come under intense pressure in recent years.   more     Commission seeks public opinion on how EU Nature Directives are working The initiative is part of the Commission's wider simplification initiative to strengthen EU competitiveness at the same time as safeguarding environmental and economic goals.   more

Stories of the month

The hydrocopter: A new era in ice safety In Estonia, what began as a fisher’s idea for survival has evolved into a professional vehicle designed for the world’s most unforgiving environments. The hydrocopter is a type of boat that utilises aerodynamic propulsion, much like a helicopter, rather than a traditional underwater motor – an adjustment allowing it to drive not only through water, but also on ice.   more     The young skipper from Culatra defending his island’s fishing identity Fishing is woven into the identity of the small island of Culatra, but with fewer young fishers entering the profession, it is in danger of being lost. Coming from a long line of fishers, Hugo Padinha was determined not to let that happen.   more     MEDIGREEN: maritime spatial planning for the green transition in the Mediterranean The green transition of the maritime sector in the Mediterranean is an urgent priority, though coordination and alignment can be a challenge. The Mediterranean Sea presents a uniquely complex governance landscape.   more

Map of the month

European Maritime Day Founded in 2008, European Maritime Day (EMD) is the European Union’s annual flagship event dedicated to maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy. The map shows the host cities of the EMD conference since its launch. EMD 2026 will take place on 21-22 May in Limassol, Cyprus, organised jointly by the European Commission, the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Limassol Municipality.   more

Events

European Maritime Day Date 21/05/2026 - 22/05/2026 Venue Limassol, Cyprus   more

Have your say

European Ocean Act Deadline 16/07/2026   more   Birds and Habitats Directives – stress test Deadline 04/08/2026   more

Funding opportunities

Study on Blue Carbon Certification - developing certification rules for tidal marshes and seagrass meadows Deadline 27/05/2026   more   Call for proposals "Support to awareness raising about the Arctic communities, including Indigenous People" Deadline 20/08/2026   more

Publications and studies

European Union’s fishing fleet   more

This newsletter is published by the European Commission's Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Visit our website: Oceans and Fisheries ISSN: 2315-084X | Catalogue Number: KL-01-26-023