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A decade-long review by the European Commission paints a mixed picture of how Europe manages its fish and seafood supply, with some environmental gains but continuing challenges for the industry and policymakers.
The assessment covers the first ten years of the Common Fisheries Policy, the set of rules that governs how fish are caught, farmed and sold across the EU.
For most people, this may sound distant from everyday life. In reality, it shapes the availability of seafood, how it is produced, and how sustainable it is over time.
Progress, but slower than expected
The report confirms that more fish stocks are now being fished at sustainable levels. This means fewer species are being harvested beyond what nature can replace.
Even so, fish populations are not recovering as quickly as anticipated. Despite reduced fishing pressure, rebuilding efforts have taken longer than expected, which continues to affect the sector.
Economic reality falls short of expectations
When the policy was introduced in 2014, it was expected to deliver stronger economic results. According to the evaluation, those gains have not fully materialised.
Fishing businesses continue to deal with rising operating costs, including fuel, and an ageing fleet. Smaller operators in particular face difficulties accessing fishing opportunities.
While seafood trade in the EU has grown in value, domestic production has remained flat or declined. Fish farming offers potential to increase supply, but its expansion has been limited.
A central finding of the evaluation is that the main issue is not the rules themselves, but how they are applied.
Different approaches across EU countries have led to inconsistent results. This is particularly evident in the “landing obligation”, which requires all catches to be brought ashore. The report finds that this rule has not delivered the expected improvements in fishing practices, largely due to uneven implementation.
Changing habits and limited information
Consumer habits are also evolving. There is growing demand for processed and ready-to-use seafood products.
However, current EU labelling rules mainly apply to fresh fish and do not fully cover processed products. As a result, the information available to consumers varies depending on what they buy.
The policy introduced a system where EU countries and regional stakeholders work together on decisions. This has improved cooperation and allowed measures to be adapted to local conditions.
At the same time, the process can take longer, particularly when multiple parties need to agree before action is taken.
Global role continues
The EU continues to play a leading role internationally in promoting sustainable fishing and tackling illegal practices. Since the UK left the EU, managing shared fish stocks has required new arrangements, but the existing legal framework still provides a basis for cooperation.
The findings will feed into future reforms and a long-term strategy for fisheries and aquaculture.
As Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis said, progress has been made, but challenges such as climate change, rising costs and slow stock recovery continue to test the sector.
