What is the CFP and why is it important?

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union’s framework for managing fisheries. It sets out as a shared set of rules to ensure that fishing activities across Europe are environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially fair. By regulating how, where and how much fishing takes place, the CFP aims to protect fish stocks while supporting fishing communities and ensuring a stable supply for seafood consumers.  The … Read more

EU Common Fisheries Policy regulation in practice: lessons from Cypriot fishers

The EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) aims to ensure environmentally sustainable fisheries as the precondition for delivering economic, social, and employment benefits. Its success depends on effective implementation and enforcement by Member States. With the European Commission’s 2026 evaluation of the CFP regulation, and the Republic of Cyprus holding the EU Council Presidency in the … Read more

Don’t Sink the Common Fisheries Policy- Fulfil its potential

 As the European Commission prepares its evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), environmental NGOs across Europe and beyond urge EU and national policymakers to help build a sustainable and resilient fishing sector by upholding regulatory stability and prioritising the effective implementation of existing law. Efforts should focus on developing and integrating impactful solutions within … Read more

EU report confirms fish stocks recovery thanks to Common Fisheries Policy 

European Commission report shows overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic has dropped from 72% to 22%, proof that the CFP works when applied  Brussels.- Oceana celebrates the record number of fish stocks now being fished at sustainable levels in European waters, as evidenced in the European Commission’s latest report on Sustainable fishing in the EU. In … Read more

EU reels in Finland for breaching fishing rules 

Today, the European Commission has taken strong action against Finland, deducting over 3,000 salmon from its 2025 fishing quota. The decision follows unauthorised salmon fishing in the Baltic Sea last year, which was presented as scientific research but was a commercial operation in disguise. Environmental NGOs WWF European Policy Office, Seas At Risk, and Oceana … Read more

Oceana opposes reopening the Common Fisheries Policy 

Rather than losing precious time on a reform, better implementation of the current CFP by EU countries would support jobs, food security, and climate resilience  The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is fit for purpose, says marine NGO Oceana in its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the evaluation of the policy. The CFP … Read more

What’s it like on an Oceana expedition? Q&A

At Oceana, our expeditions are about more than just exploration, they’re about filling crucial data gaps to drive meaningful change for our oceans. From remote underwater habitats to threatened coastal regions, Oceana’s at-sea expeditions have fuelled significant campaign victories around the world. But what’s it like on an Oceana expedition?  We sat down with Ricardo … Read more

Recommendations to the EU on the setting of fishing opportunities for 2025

Rebuilding western Mediterranean fisheries: has the western Mediterranean multiannual plan delivered? 2019-2024

This report explores the impact of the first five years of implementation of the western Mediterranean multiannual plan (also known as the ‘West Med MAP’, hereafter: ‘the MAP’), the first European Union fisheries management plan for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of a group of demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea. Over a decade … Read more

Recommendations to the EU on the setting of fishing opportunities for 2024