Implementation dialogue on small-scale and coastal fisheries with Commissioner Costas Kadis

The Implementation dialogue on Small-Scale and Coastal Fisheries (SSCF) with Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Ocean, will bring together policymakers, stakeholders, and representatives from the fisheries sector. The objective is to discuss the state of implementation of EU policies and initiatives supporting SSCF, and to help shape future approaches for the sector.

Small-scale and coastal fishers, including fishers on foot, are essential to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Europe’s coastal communities. Yet, they face growing challenges linked to climate change, competition for coastal space, market pressures, and limited access to fishing opportunities and finance. These factors expose structural vulnerabilities and threaten the long-term viability of small-scale and coastal fisheries despite their recognised role in delivering sustainable and community-based fisheries.

The dialogue will focus on: 

1. how EU legislative and financial frameworks are being applied in practice, to identify bottlenecks, good practices, and opportunities for improvement.  Such legislative and financial framework include the Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and the revised Control Regulation
2. how small-scale and coastal fisheries can adapt to the energy transition, strengthen their resilience, and diversify their livelihoods within sustainable coastal economies.

By fostering an open exchange between Commissioner Kadis and selected stakeholders, this dialogue aims to build a shared understanding of current implementation gaps, identification of follow-up actions, and strengthened cooperation and awareness of SSCF issues across the EU.