The event was hosted by the Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries, Carmen Crespo Díaz.
FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS
The coalition of leading organizations in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, EBCD, Europêche, EAPO, FEAP, and AIPCE.CEP has presented a call for the development of an EU Action Plan on Blue Foods at the European Parliament.
This initiative aims to integrate aquatic foods into Europe’s food and sustainability strategies in order to modernize fisheries and aquaculture and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities.
Regarding this, the Chair of the Committee of Fisheries of the European Parliament, Carmen Crespo Diaz, indicated: "Blue foods must be at the core of the EU’s Ocean Pact and its sustainable food strategy. They are healthy, low-carbon, and essential for the resilience of our coastal regions. This action plan is a timely and science-based roadmap."
According to data from the FAO and the EUMOFA market observatory, per capita consumption of wild-caught fish in Europe has reached its lowest level in a decade, and Europe is the only continent experiencing a decline in local aquatic production.
"Europe cannot afford to ignore its own capacity to produce aquatic food. At a time when imports dominate and production at home stagnates, we need a dedicated EU Action Plan that recognises fish farming as strategic for food security, jobs, and sustainability. Blue foods are not the future – they are here, and Europe must act now," Szilvia Mihalffy from FEAP warned.
Moreover, Europêche called on European stakeholders to prioritize innovation and technology to advance the Oceans Pact during the event 'Competitive Blue Tech for Sustainable High Seas Fisheries' held in late February. Later, the European Oceans Pact was discussed in Nice during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (June 9-13, 2025).
