How to watch the Committee on Fisheries (PECH)

Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Public hearing: socio-economic data needs for fisheries policy

Isabelle Le Callennec PPE

A public hearing is held on strengthening socio‑economic evidence in fisheries decision‑making, with opening remarks and expert presentations on social advice, fisher demographics, sector pressures, territorial impacts and data collection frameworks, all highlighting the imbalance between biological and socio‑economic indicators and calling for more timely, disaggregated and policy‑relevant data and models.

In this chapter

1. Chair: opening of public hearing on socio-economic data
2. PPE Coordinator Le Callennec: need for stronger socio-economic evidence and EFASIsabelle Le Callennec
3. Dr Kraan: defining social advice for CFP

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Mediterranean blue economy: rapporteur report and political reactions

Stéphanie Yon-Courtin and 7 others

Rapporteur Lupo presents priorities for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean blue economy, addressing fleet renewal, aquaculture development, governance and trade, followed by shadow rapporteurs, MEPs and the Commission debating the Western Mediterranean multiannual plan, IUU control, MedFish4Ever, spatial planning and socio‑economic resilience, before Lupo’s closing remarks end the agenda point.

In this chapter

1. Stéphanie YON-COURTIN: Opening item 14 on Mediterranean blue economyStéphanie Yon-Courtin
2. Rapporteur Giuseppe LUPO: Priorities for Mediterranean fisheries and aquacultureGiuseppe Lupo
3. Rapporteur Lupo: aquaculture, FEAMPA and Mediterranean governanceGiuseppe Lupo

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

EU cormorant management: legal framework and political debate

Isabelle Le Callennec and 8 others

The Commission presents the legal and scientific framework for managing great cormorants under the Birds Directive, including derogations, guidance, international coordination and limits of EU competence, followed by MEPs’ questions and political positions on protection status, Annex II listing, EIFAAC’s framework, socio‑economic impacts and the need for an EU‑level management plan, before the Chair closes the item.

In this chapter

1. Chair: introduction of EU cormorant management item and Commission speakersIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Commission (DG ENV): legal framework, derogations and scale of culling
3. Commission: reinforced actions: guidance, dialogue and science

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Opening of meeting and Adriatic fisheries mission

Isabelle Le Callennec PPE

The Committee meeting is opened and the Chair reports on the fact‑finding mission to the northern Adriatic, outlining key socio‑economic and environmental challenges for fisheries and linking these to upcoming decisions such as the Western Mediterranean management plan.

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

EU–Seychelles SFPA protocol 2026–2030: political positions and Commission defence

Emma Ytterell and 8 others

The rapporteur and groups set out their views on the new Seychelles fisheries protocol, access terms, small‑scale fisheries, FADs, transparency and socio‑economic impacts, before the Commission defends the protocol’s balance on conservation, governance, ERS and sectoral support and the item is closed with a call for consent and an amendment deadline.

In this chapter

1. EU–Seychelles SFPA protocol 2026–2030: presentation and political positionsEmma Ytterell
2. Commission assessment of Seychelles protocol and item closureJessica Polfjärd

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

ICCAT annual session: EU priorities and parliamentary oversight

Jessica Polfjärd and 6 others

The Commission outlines EU objectives for the ICCAT Vilamoura session on tunas, swordfish and sharks, compliance and IUU tools, after which MEPs scrutinise quota allocations, FAD measures, shark finning bans, mako protection and enforcement, prompting detailed Commission explanations on data gaps, stock status and planned compliance actions.

In this chapter

1. ICCAT annual session: EU priorities and compliance agendaJessica Polfjärd
2. ICCAT debate: MEP scrutiny and Commission responsesIsabelle Le Callennec

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

EFCA control mandate: tools, constraints and MEP scrutiny

Isabelle Le Callennec and 8 others

EFCA presents its mission, work programme and operational constraints for implementing the CFP control framework, followed by MEP questions on control burdens, REM, drones, proportionality, IUU and third‑country competition, and EFCA’s and the Commission’s replies on harmonised implementation, international cooperation and the revised control regulation, including the landing obligation.

In this chapter

1. EFCA work programme: mission, tools and constraintsIsabelle Le Callennec
2. MEP questions to EFCA: control burdens, REM and third‑country competitionThomas Bajada
3. EFCA replies: harmonised implementation and international cooperationIsabelle Le Callennec
4. Commission perspective and final exchange on control regulation and landing obligationJérôme Broche

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Meeting opening, EPA vote and fisheries statistics mandate

Isabelle Le Callennec and 2 others

The committee opens its sitting, adopts by simplified procedure its opinion on the EU–Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement with a focus on fisheries safeguards, and then defines Parliament’s mandate on the fisheries and aquaculture statistics regulation before moving to EFCA’s control agenda.

In this chapter

1. Committee opening and EU–Indonesia EPA voteIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Mandate on fisheries statistics and transition to EFCASakis Arnaoutoglou

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

MEP concerns on tuna concessions, IUU, labour and Russia trade

Isabelle Le Callennec and 5 others

MEPs from several groups question the impact of tuna concessions on EU fleets and canneries, demand stronger safeguards, transparency and traceability, raise sanitary, IUU and labour-rights objections regarding Southeast Asian partners, point to cumulative FTA effects and Philippine monitoring setbacks, and challenge the consistency of maintaining large fish imports from Russia.

In this chapter

1. PPE coordinator: EU safeguards and impact concernsIsabelle Le Callennec
2. S&D: sanitary, IUU and labour objectionsEric Sargiacomo
3. ECR: cumulative impact and safeguards on tuna

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Shift to trade agenda and Commission overview of fisheries in FTAs

Isabelle Le Callennec PPE

The Chair closes the EMFAF debate and opens the trade–fisheries item, while DG TRADE and DG MARE explain EU dependence on fish imports, the treatment of tuna and other sensitive products in FTAs with Southeast Asian partners, the use of calibrated quotas, strict rules of origin, sustainability and IUU disciplines, and vigilance against back‑door market access.

In this chapter

1. Chair: closing EMFAF debate and opening trade-related fisheries itemIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Chair: framing trade–fisheries hearingIsabelle Le Callennec
3. DG TRADE: EU fish imports and policy role

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Commission replies on EMFAF targeting, small-scale fleets and overfishing

Isabelle Le Callennec and 2 others

The Commission responds on implementation timelines, definitions and support for small-scale and outermost fleets, under‑24m and young fisher thresholds, fleet balance and DNSH, CO₂ and engine rules, WTO compatibility on overfished stocks, public‑aid targeting by market failure, and defends the current SSCF definition and CFP performance while pointing to upcoming Vision 2040 work.

In this chapter

1. Commission: implementation timelines, SSCF, fleet balance and engine rules
2. Commission: young fishers, vessel size, overfished stocks and member state roleIsabelle Le Callennec
3. Patriotes pour l’Europe: challenge to 25m support thresholdTon Diepeveen

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

MEP positions on EMFAF simplification, fleet support and WTO rules

Isabelle Le Callennec and 4 others

Rapporteur and shadows from major groups set out political priorities on EMFAF, calling for more flexibility, deeper simplification, stronger support for safety, decarbonisation and small-scale fleets, scrutiny of engine and capacity rules, tailored treatment for outermost regions, protection of social and environmental spending, and clarification of links with WTO obligations and future funds.

In this chapter

1. Rapporteur (EPP, via LE CALLENNEC): priorities for simplification and fleet modernisationIsabelle Le Callennec
2. S&D shadow (Rodrigues via SARGIACOMO): low absorption and key improvementsEric Sargiacomo
3. ECR (Milazzo via RUISSEN): flexibility, vessel size limit and timing concerns

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Opening and Commission presentation on EMFAF revision

Isabelle Le Callennec PPE

The Chair opens the Fisheries Committee meeting, adopts the agenda and minutes, and introduces the EMFAF simplification and WTO subsidies file, followed by the Commission outlining the objectives, timelines, funding rules and new support schemes proposed in the targeted EMFAF amendment.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and adoption of agendaIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Commission: objectives of EMFAF amendment
3. Commission: detailed funding rules and new schemes

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Public hearing: EU support to small-scale fisheries

Carmen Crespo Díaz and 4 others

The Chair and invited experts open the public hearing on strengthening EU support to small‑scale fisheries, presenting case studies from Audierne and Guipúzcoa, market and labelling solutions, and the role of FLAGs and CLLD under the next MFF for local development, fleet renewal and generational change.

In this chapter

1. Public hearing opening: support to small-scale fisheriesCarmen Crespo Díaz
2. Case study Audierne (France): local governance and co-managementThomas Le Gall
3. Guipúzcoa inshore fleet: decline, control burden and fleet renewal

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Legislative items: RFMO transposition and Western Mediterranean plan vote

Thomas Bajada and 3 others

Members examine the Commission proposal on RFMO measures with rapporteur Bajada outlining Parliament’s role and legal approach, then the Chair closes the item, organises the transition to the vote and leads the roll‑call adoption of the Western Mediterranean demersal multiannual plan after extensive amendments and compromises.

In this chapter

1. RFMO measures: rapporteur Bajada’s report and institutional roleThomas Bajada
2. Transition: closure of RFMO item and welcome to artisanal sectorCarmen Crespo Díaz
3. Vote: Western Mediterranean demersal multiannual planCarmen Crespo Díaz

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Committee opening: agenda, minutes and Indonesia opinion

Carmen Crespo Díaz PPE

The Chair opens the Fisheries Committee meeting, adopts the agenda and minutes, and announces PECH’s first opinion on the EU–Indonesia trade and investment agreement under the Article 52(2) simplified procedure, including timetable and group responsibilities.

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Committee on Fisheries Extraordinary meeting

Dossier context and compromise amendments vote

Carmen Crespo Díaz PPE

The Chair outlines the opinion on the framework for monitoring and performance of EU budgetary expenditure and related horizontal rules, recalls rapporteurship by the EPP and the 322 amendments tabled, then proceeds to hand-raise votes on compromise amendments 2, 3, 4 and 1, all of which are adopted.

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Committee on Fisheries Extraordinary meeting

Opening, agenda and minutes approval

Carmen Crespo Díaz PPE

Chair Carmen Crespo Díaz opens the extraordinary Fisheries Committee meeting, approves the agenda and the minutes of 15 July 2026, excuses the absence of rapporteur Isabelle Le Callennec, and thanks shadow rapporteurs and teams for their work on the dossier.

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

MEP demands for stronger CMO and Commission reply

Isabelle Le Callennec and 10 others

MEPs call for reinforced origin labelling, traceability and market protection against imports not meeting EU standards, including in restaurants and processed products, address competition issues, fraud and producer structures, while the Chair underlines the need for ambitious yet simple EU labelling and the Commission outlines possible but not yet decided CMO revisions, linked to digital traceability, proportionality and Article 41 sustainability agreements.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ priorities: stronger origin labelling and market protectionIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Extended debate: competition with imports, fraud and producer structuresBert-Jan Ruissen
3. Chair’s synthesis on CMO reform and EU label ambition
4. Commission reaction on possible CMO revisions and next steps

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Opening of CMO item and Commission overview

The Chair opens the agenda point on the fisheries and aquaculture CMO, and the Commission explains current CMO rules on consumer information, origin labelling and traceability, as well as evaluation findings and gaps, particularly regarding prepared/preserved products and the usefulness of existing catch-area information.

In this chapter

1. Opening of item on CMO: origin labelling, traceability and fair competition
2. Commission presentation: current CMO rules and evaluation issues

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Political reactions and Q&A on quota allocation

Isabelle Le Callennec and 8 others

MEPs from several groups react to the study by raising concerns on producer organisations, small-scale fisheries, generational renewal, newcomers and the public nature of the resource, debate the balance between national discretion and EU steering, and discuss environmental and social criteria, while the expert and DG MARE respond on evidence, legal limits and emerging national reforms.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ first reactions: producer organisations, small-scale and generational renewalIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Political debate on national discretion, new entrants and public resourceBert-Jan Ruissen
3. Expert replies and DG MARE’s response on quota allocation

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Expert study on quota allocation and Article 17

Consultant Griffin Carpenter presents his study on how Member States allocate fishing opportunities, detailing legal bases, data and criteria used, showing the predominance of historical catches and equal access, assessing the limited impact of Article 17, and identifying barriers and possible EU/national ways forward.

In this chapter

1. Expert presentation: definition, policy basis and data
2. Findings on criteria used and weighting in quota allocation
3. Assessment of Article 17 impact, barriers and ways forward

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Meeting opening, agenda and 2027 EU budget

The Chair opens the Fisheries Committee meeting, outlines the post-summer legislative agenda and conducts the vote on the committee opinion and amendments for the 2027 EU budget, then introduces the study on allocation of fishing opportunities and its role ahead of December TAC/quota decisions.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and 2027 EU budget opinion vote
2. Introduction to study on allocation of fishing opportunities

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Committee on Fisheries Ordinary meeting

Adriatic small pelagics and invasive species governance

Isabelle Le Callennec and 3 others

The Chair and Commission open and scrutinise the GFCM-based multiannual plan for Adriatic small pelagics, addressing its scientific basis, socio-economic impact and governance arrangements. The agenda then shifts to invasive species, focusing on pufferfish impacts in the Aegean, available EU funding tools, Member State responsibilities and forthcoming Commission initiatives before the public session closes.

In this chapter

1. Adriatic small pelagics plan: opening and scrutinyIsabelle Le Callennec
2. Invasive species agenda: pufferfish impacts and EU toolsIsabelle Le Callennec

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