OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Low Impact Fishers of Europe

LIFE

LIFE’s Vision is of a European Union with healthy seas, where small-scale fishers are masters of their future, custodians of the sea, are economically independent, contributing to prosperous coastal communities and the environmental sustainability of the Oceans.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and

9 Apr 2025 · LIFE’s needs and priorities

Meeting with Eric Sargiacomo (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Apr 2025 · Pêche durable

Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and

27 Mar 2025 · Baltic Sea fisheries and challenges

Meeting with Isabella Lövin (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Mar 2025 · LIFE-event "Make Fishing Fair: Unlocking Article 17 for a Just Fishing Future"

Meeting with Eric Sargiacomo (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Mar 2025 · Pêche durable

Meeting with Giuseppe Lupo (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Feb 2025 · Presentation of the activities of LIFE associate in Pantelleria (Italy - TP)

Response to The European Oceans Pact

17 Feb 2025

The Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) welcomes the Commission initiative to develop a holistic approach to ocean-related policies. We feel that this approach has the potential to build an overarching framework that aligns and ensures coherence among sectoral policies, reduce conflicts between different coastal users, improve governance and multisectoral collaboration, simplify regulatory frameworks, while addressing important legislative gaps. LIFE believes the Ocean Pact has to be ambitious and exhaustive. It should include objectives, targets and proper indicators to follow its accomplishment and should be accompanied with a roadmap of policy and legislative actions to achieve them by 2030, to address legislative gaps. The SSF sector currently feels an acute sense of urgency, having reached a tipping point and is in danger of disappearing. The EU cannot afford any further delay in protecting and promoting this sector and its potential. For this, LIFE enlists here three main priorities for the Oceans Pact to address: 1- Place once and for all, small-scale fisheries at the heart of the Oceans Pact and at the heart of the Blue Economy 2- Improve the implementation and strengthen the enforcement of existing legislation and policies, including the MSFD and CFP, and new laws like the Nature Restoration Law. Strengthen accountability and adopt practical and workable infringement proceedings against Member States or EU institutions when legal frameworks are not implemented. 3- Ensure policy coherence and appropriate governance to restore and maintain ocean good environmental status; the short-term goal should be improvement, while avoiding damage. Coherence and precaution are needed when addressing the potential boost of the Blue Economy, making sure there are no effects to the state of the ecosystems and the existing low impact and high social blue economy actors, such as the Small-scale Fishers.
Read full response

Meeting with Giuseppe Lupo (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · Presentation of the activities of LIFE Europe

Meeting with Isabella Lövin (Member of the European Parliament) and Seas At Risk

1 Oct 2024 · Rethinking Fisheries! For Thriving Seas and Communities

Response to Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy

5 Sept 2024

Dear Sir/Madam, Please find attached the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE)'s general feedback on the consultation about the evaluation on the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation. We remain at your disposal for a more detailed information needed. Your sincerely, Marta Cavallé Executive Secretary
Read full response

Meeting with Agne Razmislaviciute-Palioniene (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius), Carmen Preising (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius) and

21 May 2024 · To listen to the insight provided in the Make Fishing Fair letter, in particular related to the call on the Commission to make fishing fair and to support practices better for people and planet by reallocating resources and opportunities

Response to Correction to the multiannual programmes for fisheries

31 Jan 2024

The Commission proposal is disappointing. The question of what to do once stocks are under MSY Btrigger and Blim is unresolved and the proposed amendment leaves us in a worse position than before. The proposal undermines the socioeconomic viability of the fishing industry, in particular the small-scale fleet segment, by removing a key fish stock recovery mechanism. There are clearly issues with the 95% rule, which are highlighted in unselective mixed fisheries. If fisheries are selective and do not require bycatch quotas then it is less of an issue. Ensuring fish stocks are above Blim is essential for the viability and sustainability of fishing companies, and Article 4.6 therefore has positive benefits. A key issue is the scientific calculations upon which Blim, Fmsy, and the associated reference points are based on. We note with concern and disappointment that the ICES does not use BMSY as the baseline for assessing which level of fishing mortality corresponds with MSY. This is a key problem and one of the reasons why so many stocks in the Baltic have fallen below reference levels. The key is to ensure that stock biomass is at healthy levels (above BMSY). The MAP has failed to achieve it but the amendment will likely worsen the situation. It certainly does nothing to ensure that the socioeconomic possibilities for the fishery are improved. As such Article 4.6, the Baltic MAP and other management plans should be amended to specify that BMSY is the target reference point and subsequent fishing mortality reference points are derived from this.
Read full response

Meeting with Caroline Roose (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

9 Oct 2023 · Plan d'Action ressources halieutiques et écosystèmes marins

Response to Detailed rules on selective devices in the Baltic Sea

7 Jul 2023

Low Impact Fishers of Europe, LIFE, feedback to Commissions draft on implementing regulation, laying down detailed rules on certain selective devices to reduce incidental catches of cod in the Baltic Sea. --------------------------------- Summary In the considered view of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE Platform), with regard to the development and use of the open top trawl, it is a massive waste of time and money to legislate for yesterday's problem; it is of no use for either for Baltic sea fisheries conservation or for cod recovery. Background The aim of the implementing regulation is to establish technical specifications for selective devices to reduce incidental catches of Baltic cod when fishing for flatfish in ICES subdivisions 22-26. Response LIFE Platforms response to this proposal is that its too late, and of no use for the future of Baltic Sea fisheries or cod recovery. Below is a list of arguments why the commission should not introduce this gear in the Baltic, and why the commission should seek a fast and swift transition to low impact gears across the Baltic. LIFE recommends: Not to introduce this new gear it's to late. A full transition to low impact fisheries in the western Baltic, in at least 5 10 years, to minimize cod bycatch and aid to the recovery of cod, as a key species in both fisheries and ecosystem. A moratorium on bottom towed gear to aid in the recovery of the cod stock If the Commission and member states, despite the serious situation with the cod stock and the need to protect the incoming year-class, agree to go ahead with this regulation, LIFE calls for an analysis and an estimate of what the maximum plaice catch would be, that allows for 24 tonnes of cod to be caught (the maximum amount recommended by ICES for 2024), in a hypothetical situation where the gear in question is fully adopted and with full compliance with the landing obligation. A full response is provided in the attached file.
Read full response

Meeting with Catherine Chabaud (Member of the European Parliament) and FUNDACION OCEANA and Patagonia Europe Coöperatief

20 Mar 2023 · Event "Ocean Solutions for a Bright Blue Future: The stories of oceans protectors

Meeting with Caroline Roose (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and Patagonia Europe Coöperatief

20 Mar 2023 · Conférence Loi sur la Restauration de la Nature et Océans

Meeting with Grace O'Sullivan (Member of the European Parliament) and Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation

19 Jul 2022 · Common fisheries policy review

Meeting with Caroline Roose (Member of the European Parliament)

17 Jun 2022 · Retraite PECH Verts-ALE - Small-scale fisheries - support and diversification

Meeting with Grace O'Sullivan (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Jun 2022 · Small-scale fisheries - support and diversification

Meeting with Charlina Vitcheva (Director-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) and Foreningen For Skånsomt Kystfiskeri Producentorganisation

15 Mar 2021 · Fisheries issues in the Skagerrak and Kattegat

Meeting with Charlina Vitcheva (Director-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)

13 Oct 2020 · Discussion on 2013 CFP from a small-scale fishers’ perspective as well as the situation in the Baltic Sea and in the Mediterranean