Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture

ClientEarth argues that the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture must move beyond 'paper commitments' by integrating environmental, climate, and fisheries laws. The organization emphasizes the need for tangible, measurable targets, the phase-out of harmful subsidies, and a shift in funding toward small-scale fishers and marine restoration to ensure Europe's strategic autonomy and food security.

• Europe's marine ecosystems are in poor condition, with over 93% of marine areas under pressure from human activities and 40% of fish and shellfish populations not in good status or fished sustainably.
• International case law from the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Justice requires a 'stringent' due diligence standard for protecting the marine environment and fighting climate change, based on the precautionary approach and best available science.
• The Vision 2040 should establish clear, timebound, measurable, and enforceable targets, mirroring the approach required by the European Court of Human Rights in climate change litigation (Klimaseniorinnen).
• Effective transition to sustainable fisheries requires the full implementation and enforcement of existing management tools, including the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the establishment of a well-designed network of marine protected areas.
• EU fisheries and ocean subsidies have historically been misaligned with policy goals; between 5% and 12% of EMFAF funds (€59-138 million) were used for harmful subsidies, which is more than double the funding for biodiversity protection and restoration.
• Small-scale coastal fishers are significantly under-supported despite their scale; while they represent 75% of the total EU fleet, they received only about 20% of funding from the previous European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

APA

ClientEarth (2026). Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture. https://www.clientearth.org/media/mcpfof43/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_vision-2040.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture. 2026. https://www.clientearth.org/media/mcpfof43/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_vision-2040.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture |date=March 2026 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/mcpfof43/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_vision-2040.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2026vision, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/mcpfof43/clientearth_response-to-call-for-evidence_vision-2040.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }