Inter-Advisory Councils meeting with DG MARE
On 15 July 2026, the European Commission held a coordination meeting with the 11 Advisory Councils.
In the context of a roundtable on the results of the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation with Director-General Charlina Vitcheva, our Chair, Yobana Bermúdez Rodríguez, emphasised that:
- The economic performance of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain fell short of expectations and economic viability remains under pressure;
- There were limited improvements to the market’s self-sufficiency rate, so greater efforts are needed to optimise the use of fishing quotas and unlock the potential of EU aquaculture;
- The EU has a strong sustainability and governance framework, which benefits operators, consumers and society, but there are also cost implications, which have not always been passed on to retail prices;
- There can be inconsistent implementation across Member States, so better harmonisation should be pursued, while also seeking consistency in the other legislation applicable to food products;
- Trade policy and international partnerships complement the CFP, so these should respect the EU’s sustainability standards, support competitiveness, and ensure equitable cooperation with developing States, while capacity development should remain a core element;
- Considering the recent decline in the consumption of fishery and aquaculture products, more consumer awareness campaigns should be pursued, highlighting benefits of local supply chains, EU-based processing, coastal communities health, and gastronomic and cultural elements, while improving social recognition of the professions;
- The EU is a global leader on consumer information and labelling, but there are different views among stakeholders on the way forward.
Commissioner Costas Kadis presented new Guidelines for the Functioning of the Advisory Councils. Our Secretary General, Pedro Reis Santos, drew attention to the MAC’s increasing membership, efforts to ensure a balanced representation of stakeholders, and the general satisfactory working practices and good work environment. He called for clarity on the areas of competence as well as for the provision of financial grants in accordance with the aims and potential of each Advisory Council.
DG MARE representatives provided updates on various ongoing policy priorities. Our Vice-Chair, Christine Absil, took the opportunity to welcome the recent EU Strategies for Islands and Costal Communities. She called for the recognition of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain as a key pillar of island and coastal economies, as the strategies should pursue a strengthening of sustainable domestic production and processing capacity as well as generational renewal.
