European Commission commits to simplifying aquaculture licensing rules and clarifying use of EUR 2 billion after publishing 'Vision 2040'

The European Commission recently published "Vision 2040" for fisheries and aquaculture, a 15-year strategy aimed at addressing several prominent problems in EU seafood production and boosting competitiveness over that period. The document covers the EU's Landing Obligation, modernization of the fishing fleet, and the complex licensing procedures facing aquaculture companies, among other issues.

On the licensing issue, a European Commission spokesperson told SeafoodSource that the EU plans to establish a more coherent regulatory framework for the EU aquaculture sector, focusing on complex licensing procedures and the difficulty of accessing suitable space and water—two factors constraining the sector's sustainable growth.

"The goal is to simplify aquaculture licensing and access to space and water, and to achieve greater consistency across the EU on the requirements for carrying out aquaculture activities," the spokesperson said, while noting that this needs to be balanced with protecting the ecosystems and biodiversity on which the sector depends.

The spokesperson added that preparation of the proposed legislative instrument for the EU aquaculture sector will include public consultation and an impact assessment. The Commission will work with member states and stakeholders to ensure the measures bring real improvements. No timetable was provided for the preparation or implementation of the proposal.

The spokesperson said the Commission expects that by increasing certainty about the conditions for aquaculture development across the EU, public authorities, investors and entrepreneurs will be encouraged to contribute to the growth of this strategic sector, which plays an important role in EU food security by providing sustainable, high-quality and locally produced seafood.

In the broader "Vision 2040" strategy, financing remains a key issue for ensuring its effectiveness. The Commission proposed allocating at least EUR 2 billion (USD 2.2 billion) under the EU's 2028–2034 long-term budget to carry out the core functions of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The spokesperson clarified that this proposed amount is reserved for member states to implement the CFP's core priorities, including support for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine conservation and restoration, and the EU common market organization; he stressed that it is not a EUR 2 billion dedicated investment fund exclusively for commercial seafood companies.

The spokesperson said member states can allocate additional funding from the EUR 453 billion (USD 507.3 billion) available under their national plans, but this portion has no dedicated use restrictions and will be allocated according to national priorities and needs. The proposed European Competitiveness Fund could also provide future financial support for the sector.

Potential investments could cover vessel modernization, innovation, diversification and decarbonization efforts; however, the Commission stressed that specific arrangements will depend on ongoing negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council.

Although "Vision 2040" envisions member states using funding to implement the CFP in its current form, fishing groups across the EU are still calling for an overhaul of the CFP as a whole. Europêche, the representative organization for the commercial fishing industry, recently met with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis to urge targeted amendments to the CFP, stressing that if the EU wants to achieve the goals set out in "Vision 2040," legislative reform is necessary.

"Under the current CFP, it remains unclear how challenges such as the Landing Obligation will be resolved. Before asking the industry to engage in further consultations, the industry needs clarity on what the Commission intends to deliver," Europêche said in a statement.

The meeting with Kadis followed similar calls made by the industry before "Vision 2040" was published, including Europêche President Javier Garat saying that a vision without CFP revision "is an empty document, and without concrete measures it is an empty gesture."

"No fisherman is proud of the current CFP. Inaction will only deepen social tensions, especially given that the new Commission had promised a change of direction. For too long, food producers have felt ignored and abandoned. Unless the Commission changes direction, their frustration will deepen further and fuel anti-EU movements," Garat said.

On the other hand, environmental organizations and representatives of small-scale fisheries made the opposite appeal to EU officials, calling on the EU not to reopen the CFP but to focus on effective implementation—a strategy with which "Vision 2040" appears to align.

"Europe already has many of the tools needed to deliver (Vision 2040), from the CFP to strengthened fisheries control systems. These are the cornerstones. What is needed now is the will to close the implementation gap," said Steve Trent, CEO of the Environmental Justice Foundation.

As the actions under "Vision 2040" move forward, the European Commission listed several potential dimensions for assessing progress, including access to finance and private investment, energy efficiency and decarbonization, business competitiveness and resilience, environmental sustainability, and social outcomes such as skills, working conditions and generational renewal.

These are not formally adopted indicators or numerical targets; a Commission spokesperson said progress can also be assessed through implementation of the action points under the strategy's three pillars of supply, demand and enabling conditions.