What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text

46. Emphasises the need to carry out energy audits on fishing vessels via the EMFAF; insists that optimisation and retrofitting operations must be encouraged wherever possible in order to improve the energy efficiency of vessels and promote the use of technologies, in particular AI, to optimise fishing routes, so as to decarbonise fishing in a more affordable way;

47. Stresses the importance of improving the collection, accessibility and use of environmental, socio-economic and operational data in the fisheries sector, including through digital tools and participatory monitoring approaches; underlines that effective and timely data are essential for science-based decision-making and for adapting policies to changing ecological and economic conditions; calls for closer integration between knowledge systems, including scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge and real-time operational data, in order to support more responsive, equitable and sustainable fisheries governance;

48. Calls for the allocation of dedicated funding, in addition to decarbonisation and energy transition efforts, to support vessel adaptations that meet minimum standards for worker welfare – in line with occupational health and safety requirements and international maritime labour conventions such as the International Labour Organization Convention of 2007 on work in fishing – including access to potable water, safe accommodation, adequate nutrition, protection against fatigue and medical care; considers that these improvements are essential to ensure dignity at work, prevent accidents and promote the social sustainability of the sector;

49. Emphasises that modernisation, decarbonisation and the energy transition should also contribute to the economic viability, employment opportunities and competitiveness of the EU fisheries sector and must not compromise the profitability of the sector or the EU’s strategic food autonomy;

50. Underlines that investments in vessel adaptation, digital tools and on-board fishing products preservation capabilities can help reduce operational costs and emissions, improve product quality and enhance the market value of catches, provided that efforts to meet established targets are supported by science-based and coordinated governance across regions, and by public and private funding and well-enforced market instruments;

51. Reiterates that the modernisation, decarbonisation and energy transition of fisheries must be seen as part of a broader strategy for coastal and maritime development, including marine spatial planning, biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and the deployment of renewable energy; stresses that a balanced and coordinated approach is needed to avoid marginalising fishing communities; highlights the potential for positive synergies between sustainable fisheries, ocean conservation, clean energy and local development when managed through holistic, inclusive, science-based and territorially adapted frameworks;

52. Points out that a recent Parliament workshop report suggests that future support instruments for fisheries should consider less restrictive conditions for support for the first acquisition of a fishing vessel, for engine renewal or replacement and for vessel improvements requiring additional tonnage, while at the same time applying restrictions to avoid overcapacity or overfishing at the level of individual fleet segments or the entire national fleet; stresses that, at the same time, individual fishing vessels should be enabled to adapt to economic, environmental and social needs;

53. Calls, therefore, for a revision of the eligibility provisions currently set out in Articles 13, 17, 18 and 19 of the EMFAF in order to allow public support for vessel upgrades or replacements strictly aimed at improving safety, working and living conditions, energy efficiency and the adoption of sustainable fishing techniques; underlines that such support should not result in increased fishing capacity or effort, and should be contingent on compliance with high environmental and social standards, while ensuring economic viability and generational renewal, in particular in outermost regions and coastal areas where fleet assessments show that the fishing effort is in balance with the available resources;

54. Insists on the need for a mid-term review of the EMFAF and for a targeted review of the CFP rules and relevant guidelines, with a view to accommodating for the space and design requirements of alternative fuel storage, energy and propulsion systems and to making the framework for State aid more flexible when it comes to the construction and modernisation of vessels; calls for a dedicated emergency fund to be established to accelerate fleet renewal, thus enabling a realistic transition to clean energy technologies;

55. Underlines the urgent need to address the lack of covered working areas, sanitary facilities, adequate resting spaces and safety equipment that currently affects many small-scale and artisanal vessels; notes that current EU definitions of fishing capacity do not differentiate between operational areas of the vessel and those dedicated to improving social and safety conditions on board; stresses that this creates a disincentive to invest in essential upgrades such as sheltered working spaces, resting areas and sanitation facilities, which are key to ensuring decent working and living conditions; calls on the Commission to find a solution that would balance the needs of fishing workers with the need to ensure that the EU fleet’s fishing capacity is not increased, in particular by excluding ‘social and safety’ related tonnage from the calculation of fishing capacity;

56. Calls on the Commission, for this purpose, and while maintaining a framework and limits that prevent overfishing, to carry out an in-depth review of the indicators that measure fishing capacity and the impact of fishing;

57. Stresses that the fisheries sector’s energy transition requires significant investment, which is not always feasible for small businesses relying solely on ordinary resources; calls on the Commission to make decarbonisation a means of supporting the viability of coastal fishing in the EU and to consider raising, on a temporary and tailored basis, the ceiling for de minimis aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, with a view to supporting the adoption of low-emission technologies, sustainable fleet renewal and/or adaptation and energy efficiency throughout the supply chain, to be carried out in conjunction with professionals in this area of the fleet, with a view to stimulating investment;

Development and deployment of fishing gear

58. Highlights that innovation in fishing gear and techniques should be based on the best available scientific evidence and guided by clear environmental objectives, contributing to improved selectivity, reduced bycatch or incidental catches, minimised risks of lost and abandoned fishing gear, optimised vessel routes, economic benefits and lower impact on marine habitats; underlines the need for targeted public and private investment and regulatory support to promote the development, testing and scaling up of fishing gear that enhances both ecological outcomes and the operational viability of sustainable fleets;

59. Calls on the Commission to support innovation through investments in increasing the selectivity of fishing gear, enhancements to port infrastructure, and upgrades to fishing vessels aimed at improving health, safety and working conditions, increasing energy efficiency, lowering emissions and enhancing the quality of catches;

60. Recalls the need to follow the precautionary principle when developing and deploying innovative fishing gear and techniques; emphasises that it is essential to promote an ecosystem-based approach when developing and deploying innovative fishing gear and technologies in order to reduce bycatch, minimise incidental catches, lower seabed impact and improve fuel efficiency; highlights that pilot projects and experimental fisheries should remain limited in duration and number of vessels, to test new gear and propulsion technologies and to ensure that no large-scale deployment occurs until their environmental, social and economic impacts have been scientifically, independently and fully assessed, and they have been demonstrated to be safe and sustainable;

61. Underlines the urgent need to invest in and deploy fishing technologies that reduce unwanted catches, improve selectivity and minimise ecosystem disturbance; stresses that technological transitions in the sector need to be further facilitated in a more time efficient way and guided by technology neutrality and robust scientific evidence, including all aspects of sustainability; calls for the decision-making processes on gear approval, funding eligibility and regulatory flexibility to be based on the best available science, aligned with all relevant policies and regulations and to contribute to all three pillars of sustainability;

62. Calls on the Commission to take account of the specific characteristics of each sea basin and regional differences, to step up the regionalisation and adaptation of multiannual management plans in line with these selectivity objectives and to prioritise the use of gear that has less impact on ecosystems, in close collaboration with advisory committees and engaging with local fleets, taking into account socio-economic effects and climate change;

63. Stresses the need to have specific budgetary lines to finance research into decarbonisation and the energy transition within the future multiannual financial framework, for example under the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe;

64. Emphasises that the extent to which scientific innovations can be transferred to fishers can be hampered by the risk of loss of income for professionals during experimental phases; calls on the Commission to consider financial support to mitigate this risk and speed up the deployment of more selective, lower-impact fishing gear;

65. Recognises the growing contribution of fishers to climate action and environmental protection through activities such as the collection of marine litter, including lost or abandoned fishing gear; stresses that this role should be encouraged and supported through targeted incentives, adequate port infrastructure and the creation of complementary income streams linked to circular economy objectives; underlines that promoting the ecological contribution of fishers helps to strengthen the social acceptability of the profession, reinforces their role as guardians of the sea and contributes to broader sustainability and marine restoration goals;

66. Calls on the Commission to ensure the inclusive involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including small-scale fishers, producer organisations and coastal communities, in the design, development and assessment of innovative fishing gear, as opposed to adopting a one-size-fits-all approach; underlines that participatory governance strengthens the legitimacy, practicality and acceptance of rules, while allowing the incorporation of local ecological knowledge and lived experience;

67. Calls for public policies and funding instruments to prioritise support for fishers and communities that adopt sustainable gear and practises that contribute to biodiversity preservation and long-term resource stability; underlines that recognising and supporting sustainable techniques and an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries is essential for ensuring the resilience of coastal communities, preserving traditional knowledge and promoting a fair and inclusive transition in the sector;

68. Calls for the integration of AI-driven detection technology systems to support selective fishing practices, improve catch information and reduce unwanted catches; believes that combining smart technologies with innovative gear can enhance selectivity and environmental performance;

69. Stresses that the management of fishing gear and techniques should be grounded in inclusive and adaptive governance frameworks that reflect the diversity of fleets, sea basins and fishing practises across the EU, and points out the importance of ensuring that this regulatory framework is clear, predictable and with long-term political objectives; highlights the need to strengthen cooperation between scientists, fishers and authorities in the development, testing and evaluation of new gear, fostering mutual trust and shared responsibility for sustainable outcomes; calls for time efficient decision-making processes that are transparent, participatory and capable of integrating evolving socio-ecological realities on the ground;

70. Highlights the need to improve the measurement of fishing effort through management tools that are not solely based on days at sea, and to start considering the actual time during which the gear is used for catching – ‘immersion time’ or ‘active fishing’; calls, therefore, for a review, where appropriate, of the definitions of ‘fishing activities’ in EU legislation so that they better reflect the differing operational characteristics of fishing gear and help to make the management of fishing effort more equitable and effective;

71. Encourages pilot projects and emphasises their importance both as innovation demonstrators and as stepping stones towards the attainment of the level of technological maturity that is needed to obtain needed approvals and be ready for both commercialisation and deployment on a larger scale; calls for the most effective pilot projects to be monitored to avoid the duplication of projects submitted or prevent the failure of projects that are nevertheless effective;

72. Points out that fishers may experience losses in catches and income when taking part in pilot projects; emphasises that the application of EMFAF rules to pilot projects is restricting some experimentation in practice; calls on the Commission, the Member States and regional authorities to develop the use of ‘living labs’ to reconcile innovation with local initiatives to allow for practical testing in order to ensure that new innovations work in practice and do not impose unnecessary burdens on the sector;

73. Calls for the development of a common EU labelling and traceability framework that enables consumers and buyers to identify fishery products that comply with high environmental, sanitary and social standards;

74. Underlines that the success of the ecological and digital transitions in the fisheries sector, including its decarbonisation and energy transition, depends on the availability of skilled and well-trained workers; calls for the improved use of existing EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, the European Social Fund Plus and the EMFAF, to support both formal and informal training in occupational safety, digital tools, environmental awareness and sustainable fishing techniques; highlights the importance of recognising and financing the vocational training required to implement and use new technologies and engines, and the practical skills acquired through experience and facilitating the intergenerational transmission of knowledge; stresses that training should be continuous, inclusive and tailored to the evolving needs of fishers and coastal communities, particularly in remote and structurally disadvantaged areas;

75. Stresses the potential of the aquaculture, shellfish and algae farming sectors to lower the carbon footprint of our food system; welcomes increasingly frequent low-carbon practises, such as sustainable feed and the use of decarbonised barges, and calls, therefore, for such technologies to be developed on a larger scale on farms where this is appropriate; underlines that future developments should prioritise sustainable aquaculture producers who avoid causing harm to marine biodiversity while generating socio-economic benefits for coastal communities;

76. Is of the opinion that the establishment of a common aquaculture policy on the same footing as the CFP, with the adoption of quantified targets for the development of aquaculture, can adequately contribute to a well-considered decarbonation and energy transition process for the EU blue economy;

77. Highlights the importance of a clear and coherent legal framework with measurable sustainability criteria and indicators to guide and track the development of aquaculture in the EU, including better maritime spatial planning; calls, therefore, for increased investment and policies to support sustainable marine and inland aquaculture, shellfish and algae farming as an integral part of the European strategy for a low-emission blue economy and to enhance the resilience of aquaculture to climate change impacts;

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78. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.