Oceana advocates for small-scale fishermen in upcoming EU Ocean Act

Following a high-level conference in Paphos on islands and coastal communities, the environmental organization Oceana has urged EU officials to prioritize low-impact, small-scale fishermen over industrial fleets. The group suggests reserving the first 12 nautical miles of coastal waters for these small-scale operators to protect marine ecosystems and support local economies. Oceana’s head of campaigns in Europe, Vanya Vulperhorst, stated that these measures would help restore fish stocks and maintain traditional practices. The organization specifically called on European Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis to incorporate these provisions into the upcoming Ocean Act. Furthermore, Oceana urged for the full implementation of existing regulations, such as the Common Fisheries Policy. The group highlighted that similar protections are already successfully utilized in dozens of other countries. They view the upcoming Irish presidency of the EU Council, beginning on July 1, 2026, as a strategic opportunity to advance these sustainable fisheries policies. This initiative aims to build on the momentum generated during the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU.