EUROPE

Brussels to examine MAC recommendations to improve the Economic Report on Aquaculture

Brussels, 2/12/2025 | However, it warns that methodological and regulatory limitations exist

Pescado envasado poliestireno expandido

The Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission’s DG Mare, Charlina Vitcheva, has informed the Market Advisory Council (MAC) that the Commission will consider its “highly valuable” recommendations on the STECF Economic Report on the EU Aquaculture Sector.

Her response follows the set of proposals submitted by the MAC on 18 September 2025, which outlined several improvements for future editions of the report and reflect the advisory role that Advisory Councils play in the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture governance framework, providing direct guidance to the Commission on markets, sustainability and sectoral development.

Vitcheva stressed that the possible implementation of suggestions on terminology, data quality and harmonization, the treatment of different aquaculture segments, and even the inclusion of new indicators, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, the Commission warns that some proposals may face “practical, methodological or regulatory limitations”.

The Director-General also highlights Brussels’ willingness to improve the transparency and political relevance of the economic report, as well as to explore, together with the STECF, new ways of presenting information on prices, cost structures and, where feasible, certain environmental aspects. All of this, she notes, while maintaining the socioeconomic focus that characterize the document.

The Commission concludes by reaffirming its commitment to “fruitful cooperation” with the MAC and by thanking it for its active involvement in improving EU aquaculture policies. For any further questions, it refers readers to the coordination team for the Advisory Councils within DG Mare.