MEDAC

Il MEDAC è un'associazione senza scopo di lucro che persegue un obiettivo di interesse europeo generale, con sede legale a Roma, Italia.

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ID: 283785319481-25

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Stijn Billiet (Head of Unit Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) and Long Distance Advisory Council / Consejo Consultivo de Flota de Larga Distancia / Conseil Consultatif de Pêche Lointaine and

13 Oct 2025 · Preparation for the 29th Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT

Response to An EU strategy for fisheries external action

8 Sept 2025

Ref.:206/2025 MEDAC ADVICE EU CALL for evidence A Strategy on EU Fisheries External Action With reference to the EU call for evidence Strategy for External Action in the Fisheries Sector, for which the EU Commission has invited stakeholders, including Advisory Councils, to submit contributions, given that MEDAC generally agrees with the objectives of the Commission's initiative, in particular the strengthening of the EU's role in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), primarily GFCM and ICCAT, falling within its area of activity; zero tolerance for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and improving synergies between EU maritime fisheries policies; bearing in mind what has already been expressed in previous advice (Ref. 74/2024; Ref. 148/2024; Ref. 175/2025). MEDAC deems that: - With regard to sustainable fisheries management and specific challenges at international level, due attention must be paid to the future regulation of so-called harmful public subsidies in order to avoid negative socio-economic and/or ecological repercussions, which in some cases could significantly distort the level playing field that is the objective of the initiative itself, especially by third countries that do not comply with the same conditions. - International commitments must certainly be fulfilled within the deadlines set (SDGs of Agenda 2030; the biodiversity strategy, the fight against climate change), but this must not be to the detriment, as in the previous point, of EU fishers and producers compared to other global competitors. The protection by all stakeholders to lead to the desired positive effects and ensure level playing field. - The action to uphold a level playing field and protect the European fisheries chain from unfair competition, as stated in the letter of assignment from the President of the EC to Commissioner Kadis, is entirely appropriate and should be pursued by all available legal means, with measures to be suggested in multilateral and bilateral relations and in RFMOs. - The participation of stakeholders should be developed and strengthened through Advisory Councils in RFMOs meetings, and participation at all levels of the EU institutions should be implemented in the preparation of proposals for decisions to be submitted to these regional organisations. This would provide a more comprehensive view of the issues and opportunities for the fisheries sector in the external dimension of the CFP. - The development of a more sustainable value chain through trade and market measures is also positive: in this regard, however, synergies with trade measures should be pursued, avoiding favouring the entry into the EU of fish products caught without complying with the same regulations to which EU Member States are subject. - In order to strengthen environmental sustainability, it is considered necessary to continue developing research, as cohesively as possible and with shared protocols and methodologies, to avoid possible conflicting results that would slow down the decision-making process and the effects of policies. In order to prevent the extinction of endangered species, in addition to analysing the impact of fishing on these species, it is also imperative to pay attention to other factors and the cumulative negative impact on these species. - In order to strengthen social sustainability, the labour standards applied in the EU to non-EU fleets must certainly be promoted, with zero tolerance for any fish product, fresh or processed, obtained through forced labour, but also through the exploitation of minors. - In order to strengthen economic sustainability, the rules that slow down production processes must be simplified through the development and implementation of technologically advanced systems: the disparity in regulatory provisions cannot be a cause of loss of value for products caught by EU citizens/companies. Equal treatment is the first step on this path.

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Response to Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2026

15 Jul 2025

MEDAC advice Ref. 175/2025 (https://en.med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2025/07/175_2025_medac_advice_fos_2026-1.pdf) The MEDAC is pleased that finally it is recognized that however, efforts must also be made to tackle pressures other than fisheries that are increasingly affecting fish stocks. Example climate change impact in Mediterranean Sea: MEDAC has already called (Ref.:135/2025, Ref.: 130/2025) on the Commission to carry out a more in-depth analysis of the other factors that impact living marine resources and biodiversity, considering that fishing is not the only cause of the deterioration of marine habitats. - Regarding the 2025 fishing opportunities for demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean, the objective to achieve and maintain Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) as set out in Article 7, paragraph 2 of the West Med MAP has become fully applicable following a five-year transition period. Therefore, the MEDAC cannot fully endorse the statement that thanks to EU funding, the sectors profitability and economic performance for 2025 are projected to be comparable to previous years, despite stricter conservation measures. In reality, the reduction in fishing days over the past five years has already pushed many operations beyond the threshold of economic viability. - Once again, the MEDAC strongly recommends that when fishing opportunities require a substantial fishing effort reduction or a shift to low impact gears, the related socioeconomic accompanying measures should be granted. - Regarding the Status of the EU fleet MEDAC considers very serious and worrying that the number of fishing vessels, total power and total GT are decreasing. This means that every year fishing companies, cooperatives, workers and maritime traditions are being lost with great damage also to coastal communities. - Several fleet segments in major fisheries will still face challenging conditions, particularly those which are out of balance, depend on overfished stocks and/or use energy-intensive fishing gear. Paradoxically, these most vulnerable segments are also the least eligible for EU support schemes aimed at environmental transition, resulting in a double penalty: they face the full impact of restrictions without being able to benefit from the accompanying support measures. - For the orientations for 2026 of fishing opportunities, MEDAC supports the Commission statement on its commitment to base on the best available scientific advice STECF, or on decisions taken by regional fisheries management organisations (RFMO - GFCM) including on socio-economic analysis. - Notwithstanding with the importance of the GFCM role in the implementation of the common level playing field, the MEDAC underlines the GFCM lack of socioeconomic information to assess the impact of MAPs at the GFCM level as stated during all the GFCM SRCs, particularly due to the lack of data from non-EU CPCs. - The MEDAC invites the Commission to take into account the survival limit of the EU fishing fleet in the Med and the socio economic impact of restoring fish stocks at sustainable level and to support the transition towards low-impact fisheries, including of unbalanced fleet segments. On the West Med MAP the Commission should carry out an analysis on the effects of the management measures implemented on the stock recovery and on the fishing sector during the transitional period.

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Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and

19 Jun 2025 · Common fisheries policy, aquaculture

Meeting with Costas Kadis (Commissioner) and Confederación Española de Pesca and FEDERACIÓN NACIONAL DE COFRADÍAS DE PESCADORES

30 Apr 2025 · Review of the Common Fisheries Policy, Oceans Pact, and future situation of the fishing sector

Response to The European Oceans Pact

17 Feb 2025

MEDAC RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR EVIDENCE ON THE EUROPEAN OCEANS PACT Whereas: - in the Political guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029, President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the European Oceans Pact will focus on boosting the blue economy and ensuring the good governance and sustainability of our oceans in all of their dimensions; - on 20/01/2025, the MEDAC duly noted the call to make contributions and/or propose possible solutions, and to submit any and all available information relative to the European Oceans Pact initiative, on which the Commission plans to issue an official communication in the second quarter of 2025; - the formal aim of the Commissions initiative is to improve the governance of oceans and promote a sustainable blue economy, in light of the fact that our seas, oceans, waters and their ecosystems sit at the heart of many of our global challenges: climate regulation, food security, provision of medicines, new sources of clean energy, job creation, resilience and competitiveness, inclusive growth and cohesion, security and strategic autonomy; - the Commission acknowledges that the EUs blue economy is based on some of the most dynamic sectors of the economy: renewable energy, aquaculture, blue technology and ocean observation, blue biotechnology, shipping, ports, coastal and maritime tourism, but that these policies still remain rather too fragmented to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; - the Commission states in the document that the Pact will foster a holistic approach, integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and will ensure that all stakeholders (including local communities, authorities, industries and NGOs) are engaged in ocean governance. [...] please find attached the full text The MEDAC proposes the application of a truly holistic approach, to be implemented in a framework that goes beyond the EU: limiting EU citizens in order to work towards a goal that will never be achieved without wider collaboration would be a brake on the development and competitiveness of the EU itself. Maintaining viable oceans that are rich in biodiversity is a goal that the fisheries sector sets itself too, but it is not the weakest link in the chain that should be made to pay for it. The MEDAC recalls the key role of commercial and recreational fisheries for coastal populations. These activities are the bedrock of their historical and cultural traditions, and they ensure the livelihoods of these communities. If a Pact is to be made for the Oceans, it must involve ALL THE COUNTRIES that border the Oceans in question.

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Response to Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy

24 Jul 2024

The MEDAC advice is based on the SWD(2023) 103 final COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Common Fisheries Policy - State of play. Please find attached the MEDAC contribution related to CFP and the Commission staff working document on CFP.

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Response to Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2025

23 Jul 2024

Extract of the attached MEDAC ADVICE : - It is needed a new approach for the data collection/processing in the Mediterranean to have more detailed and disaggregated data/results on fishing activities and the fleet as a basis for more tailored management measures for each GSAs. - when fishing opportunities are settled, the related socioeconomic accompanying measures should be granted. This would recognize the value of fishing activities according to the Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) on 11 January 2024 n. 330/2024. - par. 2, It would be therefore necessary to correct the data on fishing effort and to readjust them in light of other ecological factors, with a view to 2025. Fishers should be consulted and included in the scientific studies and processes, as they could contribute with their local ecological knowledge and experience. - par. 2.1 of FOs 2025, when the West Med MAP (2020-2024) is called for the first time as Transitional phase", it reveals that the previous 4 years of implementation of management measures impacting on the entire value chain, including the reduction of 40% in fishing effort, have not produced the expected effects. It seems that without considering other factors other than fishing mortality (climate change, pollution, nutrients reduction etc.), reasonable results cannot be reached. Moreover, an additional reduction in fishing effort overcoming the 40% applied so far will drive the fishing fleet over the break-even point. - concerning the Adriatic Sea (Ref.:97/2024) MEDAC advice on the forthcoming MAP for the small pelagic in the Adriatic Sea: MEDAC deems needed to radically change the management approach for small pelagic fisheries. Moreover, despite the substantial reduction in fishing effort in recent years, official data collection shows that the quotas allocated in 2022 are not being met by any of the Member States concerned. There has thus been no positive response to a management approach that has been in place for several years. - par.3 of FOs 2025 State of the EU fleet: The engine power should be measured with a methodology more appropriate for fishing activities, than that one of Merchant Navy. Moreover, fishing effort should be measured by fishing days. - par.5 of FOs 2025 Landing obligation: The MEDAC started from the beginning the collaboration with both MSs and DG MARE in finding adaptive solutions through the JRs, and this process contributed to the draft of the current Delegated Regulations. Furthermore, as confirmed by the delegated Reg. (EU) 2020/4, STECF concluded that "due to the small quantities and the very large number of landing places [...], the evidence indicated that the collection costs would be disproportionate" then "in light of the above, it is appropriate to apply the de minimis exemptions [...] until 31 December 2021". - par. 6, EU Fishing effort reductions cannot longer be accepted if these reductions are not equally shared with non-EU countries. The MEDAC fully supports as a fundamental key stage to setting the next fishing opportunities that the Commission will take into account the findings of the judgment issued by the Court of Justice on 11 January 2024 in Case C-330/22.

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Response to Ex-post evaluation of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020

18 Jul 2024

Ref.:142/2024 Rome, 18 July 2024 MEDAC contribution to the EMFAF Mid Term evaluation MEDAC is not able to give a mid-term assessment because the calls for tenders for the EMFAF have not yet started in several Member States (MSs). The expectation is that they will be launched by the year 2024. In 2023 and 2024 MEDAC analyzed and compared the different measures under the EMFF and the EMFAF. The difficulty was in dividing the measures, given the change of approach between the two programming periods (list of possible measures in the EMFF and the possibility for MSs to introduce new measures, as long as they are aimed at achieving the objectives envisaged). More information on it is available on this LINK to the presentations. In addition, MEDAC replied to the questionnaires proposed by the European Commission ahead of the mid-term review in April 2024 (LINK). During the last MEDAC meeting in Athens (June 2024), several criticisms were reported from the fishing sector, highlighting that the situation of resources does not appear to have improved much despite the efforts imposed only on fishers. The reasons behind include the difficulties in controlling non-EU fleets and the real impact of extra-fishing factors on the environment, such as pollution, commercial traffic, climate change, etc have not ever really assessed. Consequently, the EMFAF funds may not be effective. So the management measures are charged to fishers only, with continuous reductions in fishing days. In addition, the European fleet in the Mediterranean basin is quite obsolete and the funds available for modernization are limited in terms of amount and possible beneficiaries. Moreover, the (few) opportunities of changing engines are based on the evaluation of their power used in the sector of trading shipping, which is not suitable for fishing. Such engine replacement measures should be incentivized to have more environmentally sustainable engines on board. From a social point of view, there is a lack of effective accompanying measures, for example to the final cessation considering the social and economic impact. On the other hand, the MEDAC recognized that there is some simplification in the EMFAF defining what cannot be done and leaving some autonomy to the Member States in order to achieve the objectives. In summary: Effectiveness of EMFAF measures: not yet judgeable. Efficiency of EMFAF measures: it will depend on the level of attractiveness of the measures, on the feasibility of the implementation and the related speed of payments. Relevance: it will be essential to have measures considering the impact of factors impacting on the environment other than fishing activities and which have important repercussions on companies and workers in the sector. Coherence: it will be essential to focus the attention on the economic and social aspects together with the environmental ones. Please find attached the MEDAC contribution including the input of the Croatian Professional Sector

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Response to Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2024

24 Jul 2023

The MEDAC acknowledges the fact that the fisheries sector needs to be steered towards the criteria which would ensure achievement of full sustainability, without delay. An ecosystem-based approach shall allow managers to take into account multiple factors, including those independent from fisheries, and provide tools to mitigate the impact that management measures adopted for target species have on other stocks, especially when considering mixed fisheries. [] Whatever the approach in managing mixed fisheries is adopted, managers should deeply evaluate the socio-economic impacts, when proposing management scenarios to stakeholders. (Ref.:115/2021 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2021/05/115_medac_discussion_paper_msy_management_decisions.pdf It is necessary to postpone the date for reaching the MSY of the WestMed MAP to 1 January 2030 to avoid the closure and irremediable loss of the productive sector of commercial fisheries. (Ref. 338/2022 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2022/12/338_medac_advice_non-paper_fos_2023.pdf). The compensation mechanism through the additional allocation of fishing days up to 2% (Annex III of Reg (EU) 2022/110) can in no way compensate for the losses that would be generated with the use of the 52 mm square mesh, as recognised by the studies carried out by the scientific teams (IEO). [] It is necessary to compensate for the significant losses that may occur, and, in this sense, the mechanism should provide for a higher percentage (10%) and the days should be an extraordinary additional allocation to the MS, so they are not subtracted from the original allocation. Moreover, the unexploited fishing days in 2022 should be recovered in 2023 by each fishing vessel. [] The MEDAC suggests a wider use of FRAs as a complementary measure to improve selectivity. (Ref. 318/2022 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2022/11/318_medac_advice_compensation_selectivity_wmed.pdf). The MEDAC advice in view of the GFCM WG on Management Strategy Evaluation (WGMSE) on Adriatic small pelagics states that [] bottom-up approach and collaboration of stakeholders should be the basis in defining the future Harvest Control Rules (HCR) taking into account their interests and their experience as well as the typology of the fleet, improving the continuous exchange of information with the ACs []. (Ref.:73/2023 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2023/05/73_medac_advice_mse_small_pelagics.pdf). Any decision regarding resource management in the Adriatic should be taken after a socioeconomic impact study has been carried out with reference to the foreseen measures; [] the different predictive models used for the assessments should provide stable, consistent results; henceforth, the implementation of the ecosystem approach is indispensable and urgent, introducing information into the modelling that takes into account the impact of climate change and changes in nutrient availability; []. (Ref.66/2023 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2023/04/66_medac_advice_implementation_ecosystem_approach_adriatic_sea.pdf). On the basis of the data provided by the MS and by processing information on the number of vessels, days at sea, turnover and the quantity of product landed, an overall decline could be observed in socioeconomic terms []; Given the situation faced by the EU fleet and specifically by the Med fleet, urgent action is needed to reverse this dramatic trend. The main objective is to establish a balance between employment and fish stocks []. It is necessary that any initiative introduced to protect one of the two factors in question: employment and resources, be preceded by specific studies highlighting all the possible negative effects and considering possible remedies. (Ref. 13/2023 - http://med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2023/01/13_advice_indicators_available_assessing_socioeconomic_impact_med_maps

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Response to Energy transition of EU fisheries and aquaculture sector

30 Nov 2022

Please find the attached MEDAC advice (Ref.: 336/2022 - 30 November 2022 MEDAC ADVICE ON ENERGY TRANSITION) MEDAC ADVICE ON ENERGY TRANSITION [...] Practical technological solutions and adaptation of fishing vessels, their operativity, and the management of fishing resources, should be discussed while the EMFAF and other financial resources such as RePower Strategy (Reducing fossil fuel dependence by 2027) should provide support for the transition. In the short to medium term, this strategy supports massive upscale of renewable energy and hydrogen, energy saving and efficiency. The following critical issues need to be taken into consideration and addressed: - the best way of supplying energy differs between types of fishery operations. It is not possible to use one source of energy for all types of fishing, it would be necessary to combine different sources. - currently the prototypes showed limited autonomy, not sufficient for vessels that need to work at sea for 12-14 hours. The 5-6 hours that currently alternative sources of energy can provide, would be insufficient for a fishing day. - at first the transition should come from the Member States, not from the fishers, to provide the services needed for the efficient use of alternative energies (i.e. the availability of infrastructures for the supply). - the deadline for reducing energy consumption is 2026-2027, therefore the prototypes mentioned before will no longer be useful. The best transition should respond to economic, ecological and social requirements. For example, the proposal for lighter otter boards, would have a positive impact both on the ecosystem and in terms of energy savings. Energy independence would need support from the EMFAF, as this topic was discussed and approved in the Operational Programmes for the next implementation phase to come. Investments for the transition should not have a major impact on the profits of the sector. During the MEDAC WG3 meeting held in Rome on 18 October, the DG MARE representative presented a list of viable options to be adopted to address the energy crisis and - the MEDAC members deem appropriate to give priority to the following solutions in the short term for the following fishing gears: The option 1) MDV-1 Immanuel (Netherlands) is the most plausible for the current fleet (without the need for new constructions) to the transition period (10 years), adapting the hybridisation % needs to the needs of each vessel according to its size, type of gear and duration of fishing trips. Moreover, the special shape of this ship and the diesel electric propulsion provide 60% saving in fuel and CO2 reduction compared to similar fishing vessels. MEDAC also suggests including as much as possible fishers to test innovative fishing vessels. - the MEDAC members deem appropriate to give priority to the following solutions in the medium-long term for the following fishing gears: The optimal one would be a fishing boat that with green energy produces green hydrogen, not generated by diesel engines, but obtained through electrolysers and produced practically by water, without greenhouse gas emissions. Accumulators and energy distributors would be needed in the various ports. Once the unavoidable technical problems of obtaining and storing hydrogen will be solved and the electrical storage system (batteries) will be improved, it will be possible to evaluate plausible alternatives in the medium to long term (10 years) which we cannot evaluate today. In the short and in the medium-long term, technologies to reduce the fossil hydrocarbons consumption should be preferable. The scope would be to gradually enable the use of accumulators that can improve the performance of boats in terms of power and durability (the first 3 solutions reported below: hybrid diesel-electric, MDV-1 Immanuel - NL, Karoline NO - and alternative fuels Loran NO -). Several concerns still remain, especially related to power and durability. [...]

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Meeting with Rosa D'Amato (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Nov 2022 · Decarbonizzazione settore pesca

Meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner) and

1 Apr 2022 · The follow up meeting with the sector to discuss the Commission response to the crisis in the fisheries sector, to present the measures adopted and planned

Meeting with Charlina Vitcheva (Director-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) and Long Distance Advisory Council / Consejo Consultivo de Flota de Larga Distancia / Conseil Consultatif de Pêche Lointaine and

19 Jan 2022 · Inter-Advisory Councils meeting - opening statement

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

23 Nov 2021 · Exchange of views on new fisheries governance in the Mediterranean Sea

5 May 2021 · Inter-Advisory Councils meeting - discussion on key policy developments and functioning of the Advisory Councils

18 Jan 2021 · Joint inter-Advisory Councils meeting - discussion on key policy developments and priorities

Meeting with Karmenu Vella (Commissioner)

10 Nov 2015 · Fisheries management in the Mediterranean