The European Commission presented on Tuesday its new strategy for the Fishing and the aquaculture by 2040, aimed at strengthening “the environmental and economic viability of the sector”.
Entitled « Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture », this strategy covers the entire value chain and seeks to give companies the predictability necessary to invest and develop, while protecting the aquatic resources and ecosystems on which they depend, said the European Executive.
This vision revolves around strengthening the supply and demand for aquatic food products in the EU and defines key priorities to promote the prosperity of the sector, including healthy ecosystems, the energy transition, securing supply chains, stimulating demand, ensuring stable food supplies, supporting producers, facilitating access to finance and strengthening international cooperation.
Until 2030, the main objective of this strategy will be to improve energy and resource efficiency, develop new technologies and skills and use available clean fuels. From 2030, efforts will focus on the development of low- or zero-emission technologies, supported by the modernization of infrastructure and fleets, Brussels said.
Other key measures of this vision, which is part of the European Oceans Pact, presented in June 2025, include improving access to financing for operators in the sector, in particular through an envelope of €2 billion, proposed under the EU’s long-term budget for the period 2028-2034.
Across the EU, the sector employs more than 200,000 people (nearly 124,500 in fishing and some 76,000 in aquaculture), plus many other jobs in processing, wholesale, distribution and retail.
