The European Commission has this week opened a public consultation to gather a broad range of perspectives on the effectiveness of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation.
Individuals, the fisheries and maritime sectors, scientists, non-governmental organisations, and national administrations from EU Member States are invited to provide their input until 21 April 2025.
This consultation represents the next stage in a comprehensive evaluation of the CFP, following a call for evidence that opened on 20 June 2024 and garnered 87 responses. The new consultation aims to examine whether the existing CFP regulation is meeting its objectives and addressing current and emerging challenges in the sector, the Commission said.
The EU's Common Fisheries Policy establishes rules for managing fish stocks sustainably across the EU. The last major reform in 2013 brought together social, economic, and environmental dimensions, and introduced measures to ensure management of fish stocks at sustainable levels.
These measures include the progressive introduction of the obligation to land all catches (subject to catch limits), multiannual fishery plans, fleet capacity ceilings, and a requirement for conservation measures based on regional cooperation.
Since the EU has exclusive competence over the conservation of marine biological resources both within and outside EU waters, the CFP also applies internationally through regional fisheries management organisations and sustainable fisheries partnership agreements with non-EU countries.
The evaluation will focus on the impact of the CFP on the conservation of marine biological resources and the management of fisheries and fleets dependent on them. It will also look at the policy’s effects on the supply chain, consumers, and public authorities in all EU Member States over the past decade (2014–2024).
Commissioner Costas Kadis has made completing and following up on this comprehensive evaluation a key part of his political mission mandate.
The Commission says it will also draw on outcomes from previous consultations, and stakeholder engagement will continue with EU Member States, EU institutions, Advisory Councils, social partners, and other relevant parties.
After the consultation closes on 21 April, the Commission will analyse the contributions alongside additional studies and evidence. These findings will shape the evaluation of how effectively the CFP Regulation has achieved its objectives, whether it remains fit for purpose in the current context, and what socio-economic impacts it has had.
A summary report of the consultation and the evidence gathered will be published later in 2025.
The evaluation of the CFP is taking place at the same time as the EU is assessing other fisheries policy and funding instruments, looking at the effectiveness of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), as well as conducting a mid-term evaluation of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
The announcement of this latest public consultation also comes shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched her own blue economy consultation initative earlier this month, seeking evidence from stakeholders to shape the European Oceans Pact, a key political initiative aimed at advancing sustainable ocean management and ensuring the long-term health, resilience, and productivity of the oceans.
Access the CFP Public Consultation online here, until 21 April 2025.