What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text

Q. whereas the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) includes provisions to support decarbonisation, innovation and social sustainability in the fisheries sector, but its effective contribution depends on equitable access, reduced administrative burdens and full alignment with the objectives of a just and inclusive transition;

R. whereas, in principle, improvements in safety and energy efficiency can be supported by EU funds under the EMFAF and in accordance with CFP rules; whereas, however, less restrictive conditions must be considered to ensure that the Member States and regions are able to meet the decarbonisation and modernisation needs of their fishing fleets, while avoiding overcapacity or overfishing at the level of individual segments or the entire national fleet;

S. whereas the European Court of Auditors stated that ‘the EMFAF should not be used to fund actions increasing the fishing capacity of a vessel’;

T. whereas the implementation should respect the huge regional diversity of the EU fishing fleet and must not take a one-size-fits-all approach, especially in the outermost regions;

U. whereas the outermost regions face specific constraints, such as remoteness, insularity, small markets and limited connectivity, which must be fully considered in the implementation of fisheries policies, including through adapted eligibility criteria under the EMFAF and flexibility in capacity and fleet renewal rules;

V. whereas innovative fishing gear and techniques can play a key role in enhancing environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, and reducing fuel consumption, and needs to be supported through targeted public and private investment, knowledge sharing and faster evaluation processes to enable wider deployment;

W. whereas innovative fishing gear has to progress from the prototype phase to the demonstration phase so that its efficiency and effectiveness can be tested under real use conditions, with the support of the EMFAF;

X. whereas some current fishing techniques are highly fuel-intensive, generating considerable costs for the sector and resulting in a particularly high carbon footprint;

Y. whereas the way some fishing techniques are applied has a variable impact on ocean carbon sequestration and, depending on several factors such as the type of fishery, may also be considered by science as sustainable and compatible with achieving seabed conservation objectives;

Z. whereas it is crucial to support and invest in research and development into alternative engines and fuels and their effective use, improvements in vessels’ energy performance through retrofitting or innovative naval architecture, and the development of new sustainable fishing gear and methods, as well as technologies that reduce bycatch, improve fuel efficiency and minimise seabed disturbance, in order to support a just and science-based transition towards sustainable fisheries and to reach the objectives of EU fisheries legislation;

AA. whereas the need to modernise, decarbonise and ensure a just energy transition also presents an opportunity to improve working and living conditions on board, which is essential to ensure the well-being of fishers, attract new generations to the sector and make the fisheries profession more inclusive, especially for women and young people;

AB. whereas a successful just transition of the fisheries sector requires inclusive governance based on scientific evidence and the active involvement of relevant stakeholders, including fishers, coastal communities, researchers and regional authorities;

AC. whereas sustainable inland and marine aquaculture, shellfish and algae farming can contribute to a broader decarbonisation of the EU aquatic food sector and reduce the carbon footprint of imports;

Decarbonisation and energy transition

1. Stresses that achieving climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal objectives, EU legislation and the UN Paris Agreement, requires a structured, inclusive and just transition across all EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

2. Underlines that this transition must contribute meaningfully to the EU’s climate targets without undermining the resilience or social and economic stability of fishing communities while ensuring the protection of their livelihoods, in compliance with the three pillars of sustainable development;

3. Stresses the need for a realistic and phased decarbonisation roadmap, based on the best available scientific knowledge and data, aligning technological developments, logistical improvements, the availability of alternative fuels and legislative timelines to ensure feasible and effective implementation across all fleet segments;

4. Calls for coordinated and long-term policy frameworks, such as the priorities outlined in the Commission communication of 5 June 2025 entitled ‘European Ocean Pact’ (COM(2025)0281), to decarbonise fisheries and aquaculture and ensure that no fleet segment or region is left behind;

5. Acknowledges that decarbonisation and the energy transition present a significant challenge for the fisheries sector, in particular for smaller operators with limited financial and technical capacity; recalls that achieving an inclusive and just transition requires removing structural barriers to access, including high entry costs, lack of training and insufficient port infrastructure; stresses that a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable given the diversity of fleets, regions and socio-economic contexts across the EU; recalls that the small-scale coastal fleet accounted for 76 % of the active EU fleet in 2021, and for almost the entire fleet in the outermost regions of the EU;

7. Proposes, therefore, to promote the stimulation of renewal schemes in cooperation with private actors, with the support of national and EU funding, to facilitate fleet renewal with more modern, safe and environmentally friendly vessels, building attractiveness to better achieve generational renewal and to build trust among the fishing industry, public institutions, authorities and investors;

8. Regrets that the current framework under the CFP and the EMFAF severely restricts the possibilities for public support, which is also deterring private investment in vessel renewal, preventing the necessary developments to decarbonise the EU fishing fleet; calls therefore for changes to be made to the current legislative framework; regrets the fact that current financial incentives are insufficient to meet the sector’s needs, and maintains that new mechanisms to provide financial leverage need to be developed and brought into play;

9. Calls on the Commission to identify and establish additional and sufficient funding instruments beyond the EMFAF, including innovative financing models, to support the sector’s massive investment needs for decarbonisation and the energy transition;

10. Recommends that the Commission support research into vessel design, including innovations beyond propulsion systems, such as improved hull hydrodynamics, lightweight composite materials and the replacement of hydraulic-mechanical systems with electric drives;

11. Notes the possibility for the Member States, when technical solutions and sufficient financial support become available, to consider including decarbonisation efforts in the criteria for the allocation of fishing quotas to operators, in line with Article 17 of the CFP;

12. Underlines that the energy transition must be inclusive and accessible to all segments of the sector and therefore needs to be fully addressed in the development of EU policy, in particular for small-scale and artisanal fishers, and supported by public investment, training and knowledge transfer;

13. Recognises that, at present, no single propulsion or fuel technology offers a definitive solution for the decarbonisation and energy transition of the fisheries sector, owing to the wide diversity of vessel types, operational profiles and regional diversity at scale;

14. Draws attention to the fact that a one-size-fits-all approach will not be appropriate as new technologies, such as alternative fuel solutions, will not be able to meet the needs of all fleets; emphasises the need to assess the energy situation of fishing vessels in order to maximise their efficiency and that the needs of individual fleets will need to be taken into consideration;

15. Highlights the need to provide appropriate support and investments to avoid rising fuel costs and stresses that, until clean propulsion technologies or alternative energy sources are available on a commercial scale and the legislative framework is adapted to their implementation, no EU-level rules on fuel taxation should be introduced for the EU fishing fleet, as such measures would exacerbate the socio-economic challenges already faced by fishing companies due to high energy prices and inflation;

16. Emphasises that a change of propulsion systems necessarily entails, in addition to the adaptation of vessels, major changes to port infrastructure and facilities;

17. Calls on the Commission, in conjunction with the Member States, to consider schemes that better facilitate and support investments in clean energy, adapted to local realities and needs, to promote the energy transition and ensure a just transition towards the decarbonisation and energy transition of the fleet;

18. Stresses that modernisation, decarbonisation and energy transition measures must reflect the need for tailored and accessible support schemes to ensure the environmental and economic viability of the fleet; underlines that it is essential for EU-funding, such as the EMFAF, together with State aid and private funds, to finance the necessary investments in ports, energy infrastructures and vessels, from design to delivery, in order to ensure needed space for decarbonisation and the energy transition, to increase social tonnage of vessels, with adequate working and resting areas for crew, and adequate crew training, as well as contributing to the sustainable exploitation of marine resources;

19. Highlights that small-scale and artisanal fisheries generally operate with lower environmental and carbon impacts and therefore, depending on the region, play an essential role in the ecological and social fabric of those regions; calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, to establish and implement support mechanisms for small-scale, artisanal and coastal fisheries that make it possible to tackle the specific problems faced by this part of the sector;

20. Emphasises that financing needs require an in-depth study by the Commission and solutions that also include savings products for European citizens and specialist banks, such as maritime banks, to offer financing with the support of a European guarantee for the financial products concerned and support from the European Investment Bank;

21. Calls for the full implementation of the CFP in order to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture activities are managed in a fair way, generate socio-economic benefits, contribute to the availability of food products and minimise the impact of their activities on habitats and marine ecosystems, while restoring and maintaining populations of harvested species above levels that produce maximum sustainable yield; considers that it must be applied taking into account the specific characteristics of the various sea basins; underlines the importance of fully mobilising the EMFAF in support of CFP implementation and the energy transition of the fleet; regrets that the CFP and the EMFAF impose strict capacity limits based on tonnage, restricting the installation of new propulsion systems and fuel storage, and hinder improvements in safety, working conditions and basic comfort for fishers;

22. Recalls that the ongoing evaluation of the CFP, and its possible review, should assess and take into consideration the EU fleet’s situation and necessary improvements; highlights that it is the responsibility of the Member States to manage their national capacity ceilings, as provided for under the CFP; points out that, for the fishing sector, the application of these limits together with the restrictive approach of Member States has erected barriers to the decarbonisation and energy transition of the fleet; emphasises the importance of support through the CFP and the EMFAF to reach a sustainable EU fishing fleet in its three dimensions, backed by adequate and necessary funding in the future multiannual financial framework;

23. Welcomes the fact that the current EMFAF introduces the possibility to contribute to improving working, living and safety conditions on EU vessels, without increasing their fishing capacity, with particular attention paid to in-shore and small-scale coastal fishing vessels; stresses that the EMFAF contributes to the sustainability of fisheries and the blue economy, contributing to the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14; expresses concerns, however, that these possibilities have not been widely used by Member States and believes that overly restrictive rules have created obstacles in this regard;

24. Takes the view that reducing dependence on fossil fuels should not make the EU dependent on non-EU countries for the development, construction and modernisation of the EU fleet; points out that the EU’s strategic autonomy must be central to all policies, including decarbonisation, the energy transition and fleet modernisation, in particular as part of the future maritime industrial strategy;

25. Calls for the maritime industrial strategy to include the fishing fleet within its objective of supporting the blue economy and securing or regaining Europe’s global leadership in maritime technologies;

26. Emphasises that, with a view to finding specific, realistic ways of modernising and decarbonising the fleet, a comprehensive approach is necessary across the entire maritime value chain (including shipowners, ports, energy suppliers, shipyards, design consultancies, equipment suppliers, classification companies, financiers, researchers, etc.) and requires collaboration via initiatives and programmes fostering zero emission vessels and port infrastructure;

27. Expresses, in this regard, the importance of measures to stimulate demand for sustainable maritime fuels, such as using EU policy instruments and targets, and of incentivising and facilitating the deployment of necessary infrastructure;

28. Welcomes, in that regard, the work of the Energy Transition Partnership for EU fisheries and aquaculture, launched by the Commission in 2023, which is intended to serve as a collaborative platform designed to accelerate the energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors; highlights the importance of collaboration and dialogue under this partnership, but emphasises that it must lead to concrete improvements in the conditions needed for decarbonisation in order for targets to be reached;

29. Draws attention to the need to boost the sector’s competitiveness and support its sustainable transition, providing a sustainable future for businesses and coastal communities, by establishing a new strategic pact between the EU and the fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

30. Stresses the need to provide incentives for applied research and technological innovation in the area of the circular economy within the fisheries sector, including on fishing gear, by promoting pilot initiatives and territorial projects that foster synergies between undertakings in the fisheries sector, fisheries local action groups, waste treatment operators, recycling companies and other economic actors, with the aim of increasing resource efficiency, improving the sector’s competitiveness and generating new local employment opportunities;

31. Stresses that the geographical remoteness, insularity and small size of the outermost regions require a differentiated approach to the decarbonisation of their fishing sectors, considering the difficulty their fleets have in complying with the decarbonisation and modernisation process that the technological and sustainable transition entails; underlines that previous funding instruments such as the programme of options specifically relating to remoteness and insularity for fisheries took into account the specific characteristics of these regions, recognised in Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; highlights, going forward, that this must be fully considered when designing and implementing funding instruments, regulatory frameworks and innovation strategies;

32. Notes that the fishing fleets of the outermost regions are predominantly small-scale and ageing, and face increasing safety risks and deteriorating working and living conditions; notes, furthermore, that their structural conditions and additional costs due to remoteness are being further aggravated by the increasing impact of extreme weather conditions; underlines that this situation restricts access to resources and threatens food security and the local economies of these territories;

33. Calls for the adaption of eligibility criteria and investment priorities under the EMFAF and other EU instruments to reflect the structural constraints and environmental vulnerabilities of the outermost regions, ensuring that the energy transition does not exacerbate inequalities or hinder the socio-economic sustainability of these territories;

34. Stresses that small-scale coastal fishing, particularly in island and outermost regions, is a cornerstone for food security, and for the economic, social and cultural fabric of many local communities where access to fresh and healthy protein sources is closely linked to the viability of local fishing activity; calls on the Commission to ensure that environmental objectives are fully aligned with the economic sustainability of small-scale coastal fisheries;

35. Calls for enhanced cooperation with non-EU countries operating in the same maritime regions and sea basins, notably within the framework of regional fisheries management organisations, where appropriate and already established, to exchange best practice, coordinate investment, and establish common objectives for the decarbonisation, energy transition and environmental sustainability of fisheries to ensure that common rules are applied, while complying with the principle of reciprocity and fair conditions for all operators;

36. Notes that long-distance fleets operating in developing countries and on the high seas face the insurmountable obstacle that infrastructures such as ports, shipyards and storage centres for new fuels and propulsion systems in those countries are not prepared or suitable to meet the needs of decarbonised vessels;

37. Suggests that the Commission review the carbon and environmental impacts of all fisheries and aquaculture imports in order to prevent an unlevel playing field with global competitors that are not subject to similarly stringent regulatory frameworks or equivalent environmental, health and social standards;

Modernisation

38. Stresses that the modernisation of the EU fishing fleet is a key component of the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient sector and should address both technological and human challenges, ensuring that energy efficiency, digital capacity and operational safety are pursued hand in hand with the improvement of working conditions on board;

39. Reiterates that increased gross tonnage or reconfigured vessel design to accommodate alternative propulsion systems or safety improvements should not be seen as contributing to an increased fishing capacity, and therefore, not contributing to the risk of overfishing; stresses that the decoupling of fishing capacity and gross tonnage for decarbonisation, the energy transition or safety improvements is necessary for a fair and evidence-based policy framework;

40. Calls for public support to prioritise vessel upgrades that deliver both environmental gains and social progress and enhanced capacity for proper on-board conservation of catches, including cold storage and preservation systems, within national capacity ceilings;

41. Calls on the Member States to use EU and national financial support to prioritise modernisation strategies that strengthen the long-term sustainability of fishing enterprises, promote local value chains and ensure that fishers can continue to operate under fair, predictable and economically viable conditions;

42. Underlines its view that generational renewal can go hand in hand with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the need to ensure a digital transition within the blue economy; notes that this requires not only attracting young people to the fishing sector but also ensuring the improvement in working and living conditions on board, providing better accommodation and facilities to contribute to crew wellbeing, ensuring proper training and information, and offering attractive career prospects and the opportunity to improve their personal situation – particularly by providing fair and stable income opportunities and ensuring sustainability;

43. Underlines that young generations of fishers contribute to the cohesion of their local communities, especially in the most isolated coastal regions and those with fewer job opportunities, enabling them to contribute to economic, social and environmental improvements within the sector; highlights, also, the need to enhance the role of women in this sector through increased mobility and employment opportunities throughout the EU, without difficulties or restrictions regarding recognition of their skills and training; notes that this would help improve the industry’s image and make it more attractive;

44. Considers that generational renewal must not lead to a clash between generations, and should include fishers of all ages to ensure a balanced approach to the ecological and digital transition in order to ensure that the legacy of experience is not lost;

45. Highlights the strategic role of digitalisation in the modernisation, decarbonisation and energy transition of the fishing fleet, which will also improve operational efficiency, safety at sea and the working conditions of fishers; underlines that support of digital tools and systems that enhance navigation, weather forecasting, communication and traceability, particularly in small-scale fleets, will also support the reduction of fuel costs and contribute to a more economically viable decarbonisation process; stresses that the digital transition must go hand in hand with adequate training, capacity-building and the design of inclusive technologies, taking into account the diversity of users and ensuring that digital solutions contribute to better working environments and equitably distribute technological benefits across the sector;