Overview of the 10 new support group coordinators.
EU Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
The European Commission's Energy Transition Partnership for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture has introduced 10 support group coordinators to lead efforts towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future for the sector.
The new coordinators represent a wide range of industries and stakeholder groups, including fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing and trade, ports, research, and NGOs, with the overarching aim of producing "an actionable plan to be delivered by the end of 2025, with measurable milestones aimed at supporting the transition to a sustainable future", according to the European Commission's Maritime Forum.
The coordinators will first focus on collaboration and "starting a dialogue" with the sector on the energy transition, enabling exchange of inputs, recommendations, and best practices through specialized working groups.
The coordinators are also tasked with developing a roadmap for climate neutrality, by providing "concrete and feasible actions" to enable the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Europe to accelerate in their transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
In doing so, they wil tackle key focus areas which include defining the key goals and pathways for the energy transition for EU fisheries and aquaculture, identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge, enhancing sector skills and working on social impacts, and mapping the financial support, business environment, and the regulatory framework.
The full list of coordinators is as follows:
Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries (SSCF): Marta Cavallé, Executive Secretary of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE).
Large-Scale Fisheries (LSF): Jules Danto, Policy Officer at the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO).
Distant Water Fleet (DWF): Mati Sarevet, Member of the Management Board at Estonian fishing company Reyktal AS.
Inland Aquaculture: Eva Kovacs, Senior Project Manager at Eurofish International Organisation.
Offshore Aquaculture: Giulio Brizzi, Senior Aquaculture Expert.
Ports: Carlos Botana Lagaron, President of the Port Authority of Vigo.
NGOs: Alexandra Phillipe, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Advisor at the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD).
Research and Academia: Gorka Gabiña, AZTI Research Centre.
Processing Industry: Katarina Sipic, Secretary General at Europe-wide fish processors and trade federation AIPCE-CEP.
Fishing Shipbuilding Industry: Vincent Guerre, Director for Trade and Competitiveness at the Shipyards and Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe).
The Energy Transition Partnership for Fisheries and Aquaculture is a European Commission initiative launched in 2023 as part of the oceans and fisheries package.
The EFP brings together industry stakeholders, public authorities, and international organizations to promote innovative solutions for reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. The partnership's goal is to address the urgent challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors.