EUROPE

EU aquaculture leaders call for a dedicated Action Plan on Blue Foods

Brussels, 8 September 2025 | Stakeholders highlight declining production and consumption, pressing the Commission to support sustainable aquaculture

FEAP - Blue Economy

A coalition of leading organisations in fisheries and aquaculture – EBCD, Europêche, EAPO, FEAP and AIPCE.CEP – has jointly called on the European Commission to develop a dedicated Action Plan on Blue Foods. The initiative was presented at the European Parliament, in an event hosted by the Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, Carmen Crespo Díaz.

The message highlights blue foods – encompassing both wild-caught and farmed fish and seafood – must be placed at the heart of the EU’s food and sustainability strategies.

“Europe cannot afford to ignore its own capacity to produce aquatic food. At a time when imports dominate and production at home stagnates, we need a dedicated EU Action Plan that recognizes fish farming as strategic for food security, jobs, and sustainability. Blue foods are not the future – they are here, and Europe must act now,” underlined Szilvia Mihalffy, President of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP).

According to FAO data, Europe is the only continent where local aquatic production is in decline. In parallel, EU per capita consumption of wild-caught seafood has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, despite the fact that most European stocks are managed sustainably.

For aquaculture, this scenario represents both a challenge and an opportunity. FEAP, which brings together 24 national associations and over 14,000 enterprises, stresses that fish farming must be acknowledged as a cornerstone and Europe’s food security.

Sector representatives agree that an Action Plan must ensure fair market conditions for European producers, foster investment in innovation and sustainability, recognise aquaculture as a strategic sector on par with other agricultural productions, and strengthen international cooperation and fair trade to secure supply.

“Blue foods are healthy, low-carbon, and essential for the resilience of our coastal regions. This action plan is a timely and science-based roadmap – we now call on the European Commission to move from vision to action by supporting responsible aquaculture, fair market conditions, and a competitive, future-oriented fisheries sector. There is no truly ambitious Ocean Pact without a strong commitment to blue food systems,” said Carmen Crespo Díaz during the presentation.

The initiative has also received backing from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which considers the Action Plan a vital step to modernize aquaculture and strengthen the value chain of blue foods.

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