Meeting with Commissioner Kadis and Director-General Vitcheva on 2025 fishing opportunities
The newly confirmed Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Mr Costas Kadis, and the Director-General of DG MARE, Ms Charlina Vitcheva, invited the Chairs & Other Interest Groups Vice-Chairs of the 11 Advisory Councils to exchange about the preparations for the decisions on the fishing opportunities for next year for fish stocks in EU waters.
Our Chair, Yobana Bermúdez, emphasised the importance of the policy decisions of the European Commission, such as the annual proposal on fishing opportunities, being based on the best available scientific advice, including on socioeconomic elements. She added that it demonstrates the continuous relevance of the economic reports of the Scientific, Technical, and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) concerning the EU fleet, the EU aquaculture sector, and the fish processing industry.
Our Vice-Chair, Christine Absil, drew attention to the importance of consumer information for both fishery and aquaculture products, particularly in the context of the HORECA sector. She highlighted that, according to behavioural studies and the most recent Eurobarometer survey, EU consumers value information on origin/provenance, species, and production methods, even though declarations of interest do not always translate into the purchasing behaviour.
The Market Advisory Council remains available to exchange with the new Commissioner, the Cabinet, and the Commission services on how to improve the socioeconomic data of the EU sectors as well as on other market-related topics, such as consumer information.
Information note about the MAC:
As foreseen by Article 43 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Market Advisory Council (MAC) provides advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on the market of fishery and aquaculture products. The MAC is composed of organisations representing the entire value chain (primary producers, processors, traders, suppliers, retailers, trade unions) and other interest groups (environmental and development NGOs). The MAC is co-funded by the EU.
