What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

on the decarbonisation and modernisation of EU fisheries, and the development and deployment of fishing gear

(2024/2123(INI))

The European Parliament,

Added:– having regard to Articles 3, 4, 9, 38, 174 and 349 of the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union,

Added:– having regard to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 25 May 1980,

Added:– having regard to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization of 17 March 1958,

Added:– having regard to the Convention establishing the International Labour Organization,

Added:– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris on 12 December 2015 (Paris Agreement),

Added:– having regard to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community,

Added:– having regard to having regard to Regulation No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy,

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures,

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’),

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund,

Added:– having regard to Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030,

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure,

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport,

Added:– having regard to Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and Directive 98/70/EC as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources,

Added:– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006 and (EC) No 1005/2008 and Regulations (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2017/2403 and (EU) 2019/473 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards fisheries control,

Added:– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640),

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal,

Added:– having regard to the Commission communication of 17 May 2021 on new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU – Transforming the EU’s Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future (COM(2021)0240),

Added:– having regard to the Commission communication of 21 February 2023 on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector (COM(2023)0100),

Added:– having regard to the Commission Guide of November 2023 on Financing opportunities for the Green Energy Transition of Fisheries and Aquaculture – Supporting the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture through EU funding opportunities under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, NextGenerationEU and beyond,

Added:– having regard to the Commission communication of 21 February 2023 entitled ‘EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries’,

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2021 towards a stronger partnership with the EU outermost regions,

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 16 September 2021 on Fishers for the future: Attracting a new generation of workers to the fishing industry and generating employment in coastal communities,

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2022 toward a sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors,

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 19 January 2023 on the small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives,

Added:– having regard to its resolution of 18 January 2024 on the state of play in the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and future perspectives,

Added:– having regard to the European Court of Auditors reports of 2022 entitled ‘Review 01/2022: Energy taxation, carbon pricing and energy subsidies’ and of 2020 entitled ‘Special Report 26/2020: Marine environment: EU protection is wide but not deep’,

Added:– having regard to European Court of Auditors Special Report 25/2023 entitled ‘EU aquaculture policy – Stagnating production and unclear results despite increased EU funding’,

Added:– having regard to its Scientific Foresight Unit report of June 2023 entitled ‘Decarbonising the fishing sector: Energy efficiency measures and alternative energy solutions for fishing vessels’,

Added:– having regard to the Baltic Sea Advisory Council recommendations of 3 October 2023 on the energy transition of the Baltic Sea fisheries sector,

Added:– having regard to the North Western Waters Advisory Council advice of 28 November 2023 on the Commission communication entitled ‘on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector’,

Added:– having regard to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organization report of 15 April 2025 entitled ‘European State of the Climate 2024’,

Added:– having regard to the North Sea Advisory Council advice of 19 May 2025 on the Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy,

Added:– having regard to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change report of 2 June 2025 entitled ‘Scientific advice for amending the European Climate Law – Setting climate goals to strengthen EU strategic priorities’,

– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

Changed:– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0000/2025),(A10-0236/2025),

Change 1

Removed:A. whereas the EU 2050 climate targets require a pragmatic and economically viable approach for the decarbonisation and modernisation of the EU fishing fleet;

Added:A. whereas achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires an ambitious, socio-economically just, inclusive and sustainable transition of the EU fisheries sector, based on a balance between environmental protection, social justice and economic viability, and supported by public investment and innovation;

Removed:B. whereas alternative fuels and engines proposed by current EU legislation are not yet commercially viable at scale, significantly increasing energy costs for the fleet and requiring substantial financial investment for design, crew training, storage, handling systems and infrastructure development;

Added:B. whereas tackling both climate and environment-related challenges and reaching the objectives of the Paris Agreement are at the core of the 2019 Commission communication on the European Green Deal;

Removed:C. whereas restrictive regulatory conditions imposed by the common fisheries policy (CFP) and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) hinder necessary improvements in safety and energy efficiency, thereby affecting the competitiveness and profitability of fishers compared to non-EU fleets;

Added:C. whereas oceans absorb about 30 % of global carbon dioxide emissions;

Removed:D. whereas innovative fishing gear can play a key role in enhancing sustainability, but the absence of clear EU definitions and efficient approval procedures risks significantly delaying environmental, technological and economic benefits;

Added:D. whereas, in the worst-case scenario, the EU fishing fleet is estimated to emit 0.015 % of global carbon emissions; whereas the EU fleet has already reduced its emissions by more than 52 % compared to 1990;

Removed:E. whereas it is crucial to invest in the research and development of low-impact fishing gear to help achieve sustainability goals;

Added:E. whereas this significant cut can be explained by the reduction in the EU fishing fleet, improvements in the energy efficiency of vessels and increased fishing yields; whereas, nevertheless, the fisheries sector faces decarbonisation requirements that could impose disproportionate costs on it;

Removed:F. whereas aquaculture and algaculture can serve as complementary tools in the broader effort to decarbonise EU fishing activities;

Added:F. whereas energy products supplied for use as fuel for navigation within EU waters, including for fishing, are currently fully exempt from taxation under the Energy Taxation Directive;

Removed:Decarbonisation and modernisation

Added:G. whereas the EU fishing sector faces significant challenges associated with climate change, from more adverse weather conditions at sea to fish stock migration due to warmer sea temperatures;

Removed:Context and challenges

Added:H. whereas the fight against climate change is urgent and necessary in order to address the triple planetary crisis affecting the ocean and to prevent further adverse effects on society and the economy, to ensure that future generations, including future fishing generations, are better equipped to face the unavoidable effects of climate change;

Removed:1. Takes note of the EU’s aim to achieve climate neutrality by 2050; points out, however, that the path towards achieving this objective requires a nuanced and balanced approach to ensure the sustainability of both the sector and the livelihoods of those dependent on it;

Added:I. whereas seafood is the healthiest source of animal protein globally, with the lowest carbon footprint, yet the EU still depends on imports for over 70 % of its seafood consumption;

Removed:2. Notes that the EU’s decarbonisation efforts target the entire fishing fleet, with particular emphasis on vessels over 12 metres in length; notes that the average EU fishing vessel is over 31.5 years old, making retrofitting or upgrading to alternative energy sources challenging;

Added:J. whereas the transition to alternative fuels and low-carbon propulsion systems requires substantial investment in technological development, vessel design, crew training and port infrastructure, and must be accompanied by public support to ensure successful development, implementation, accessibility and affordability for all segments of the fleet, in particular for small-scale and artisanal fisheries;