Europêche warns that European fishers risk losing out in global markets unless fisheries are fully included in future EU trade policy.
The group raised the alarm after a meeting with senior officials at the European Commission’s trade department in Brussels on 12 November.
Calls for fair trade rules
Europêche said the EU must not tighten sustainability rules on its own fleets while giving tariff-free access to imports produced under much weaker standards.
The organisation stressed that better coordination between DG TRADE and DG MARE is needed to keep a level playing field for European seafood.
A key concern is the coming EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. Thailand processes around 450,000 tonnes of tuna annually, but only exports about 10,000 tonnes to the EU due to tariffs.
Europêche fears that removing these tariffs would harm EU fleets, as tuna from Asia often comes from vessels with poor labour and environmental practices. The group advocates for strict rules of origin and full traceability, enabling consumers to see where the fish was caught and by which flag state.
Pressure over the UK and Norway
Europêche welcomed the extension of EU–UK reciprocal access to 2038 but warned that new Marine Protected Area rules in UK waters hit EU fleets harder than British ones. The group also urged the UK to reopen the sandeel fishery.
At the same time, Europêche criticised Norway, the Faroe Islands and Russia for unilateral quota hikes on key pelagic stocks. These moves, it said, have driven overfishing and are expected to cause a 70% drop in mackerel catches next year.
Wider global concerns
The industry also sought to establish strong positions in negotiations with Morocco, the US, and other partners. Europêche said US tariffs of 15% on EU seafood are harming European exporters and called for equal treatment.
The group also warned that new due diligence rules must apply to both EU and non-EU companies simultaneously to avoid unfair competition.