New EU commissioner: "I’ll safeguard historic rights for EU vessels after 2026"

EU fisheries commissioner-designate Costas Kadis (pictured above) has committed to ensuring that EU vessels retain access to their historic fishing areas in the renegotiation of the TCA with the UK.

He told MEPs from the EU parliament’s fisheries committee (PECH): “I want us to achieve a better level playing field for our hardworking fishers by promoting European standards in all international forums. I will work closely with my fellow commissioners to better market sustainable fishing products on the European market and leverage the power of the internal market.

“Safeguards need to be part of the discussions of the future of our food system.

“Of equal importance is to ensure security and stability of access to traditional fishing grounds and historic quotas in the Atlantic. I will make sure that in the relationship with the UK post-2026, the interests of our fishers are safeguarded, as we did in the negotiations of the TCA.”

Costas Kadis added that he would ensure that fisheries were part of a comprehensive approach to the EU’s bilateral relations with Norway.

The commissioner-designate made his comments during his introductory speech on 6 November to the PECH committee, which then put questions to him ahead of his formal appointment to the role later this month.

He told MEPs that the creation of a dedicated fisheries and oceans portfolio was a recognition of the importance the Commission gives to the fisheries and blue economy sectors.

Promising to lead efforts to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to IUU fishing, he spoke of the need to secure a sustainable, competitive and resilient fisheries and aquaculture sector, and to promote the blue economy while protecting the oceans.

Costas Kadis promised an energy transition roadmap for fisheries and aquaculture with a 2050 perspective, to be delivered by the end of 2025. He also drew attention to the social dimension of the fishing industry, and committed to supporting coastal communities.

Mr Kadis referred to other challenges, such as ageing boats, skills and labour shortages, the sector’s gender gap, the lack of generational renewal and the need to reduce red tape. He added that all of these issues will be at the core of the European Oceans Pact, a roadmap he plans to present in June 2025.

In response to questions, the commissioner-designate promised to push for science- based solutions to the sector’s challenges, while also listening to stakeholders, especially local communities.

Asked about the landing obligation, the commissioner- designate highlighted the need to address discards, as well as the importance of comprehensive and quality data.

Brian O’Riordan of Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) said the commissioner-designate ‘gave a good account of himself ’ before the PECH committee.

In a LinkedIn post, he said his address and response to questions were good enough to win the committee’s confidence and support ahead of the plenary vote at the end of November.

He said Costas Kadis, who comes from Cyprus, ‘highlighted time and again his credentials for the job’ and ‘displayed an impressive knowledge’ of the issues.

He said it was heartening for LIFE to hear that supporting small-scale fisheries to get fair access to resources, sectoral support and markets will be a priority.

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here.

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Image credit: European Parliament