Fishers of the future: towards 2050

In October 2023, the European Commission launched the Fishers of the Future Foresight Study, an EU-wide participatory study led by Tetra Tech and partners and a network of country experts covering 22 coastal Member States and outermost regions. The study used foresight to explore the changes that the profession, role, and identity of fishers might face up to 2050. It explored who fishers are, what drives them now and what may drive them in the future, while considering the evolution of existing challenges such as climate change, generational renewal, marine pollution, competition for access to maritime space, etc. The study produced four hypothetical scenarios for the future as well as future profiles of fishers. The aim of this study is to support the Commission in developing transition pathways for 2050. 

To close the Fishers of the Future Foresight Study, the Commission, Tetra Tech and partners will hold an event in Brussels on 14 January 2025. The objective of the event is to share the results of the study with stakeholders and relevant target audiences. The event agenda will include: 

• Opening comments from Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
• Presentation of the project – by Macarena Davies, Tetratech, lead coordinator of the consortium for the Fishers of the Future study 
• Panel discussion with 
  • Stylianos Mitolidis, Director of Directorate D: Fisheries Policy Mediterranean and Black Sea, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) 
  • Cor Blonk, Chair of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) for Fisheries 
  • Sergio Lopez, Chair SWWAC – South West Waters Advisory Council
  • Emiel Brouckaert, Chair NWWAC - North Western Waters Advisory Council 
  • Macarena Davies, Tetratech, lead coordinator of the consortium for the Fishers of the Future study
• Final wrap up by Stephen Davies, Advisor, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)

The event will take place in Breydel's Auditorium in Brussels and online.