EU report confirms fish stocks recovery thanks to Common Fisheries Policy
Press Release Date: June 11, 2025
Location: Brussels
Contact:
Natividad Sánchez | email: nsanchez@oceana.org | tel.: +34911440892
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 the Northeast Atlantic, the share of stocks subject to overfishing has fallen sharply –from 72% in 2004 to just 22% in 2023–, giving fish populations a real chance to recover. This progress shows that the CFP’s clear rules and deadlines are helping to restore fish.
Vera Coelho, Deputy Vice President at Oceana in Europe, said: “The Commission’s report confirms that the CFP works – when it is properly implemented. Where fishing pressure has been reduced in line with legally binding objectives, fish have rebounded. The increase in fish abundance demonstrates that science-based management is the key to preserving both our fishing heritage and seafood supply. Revisiting the policy now, before it has fully delivered on its potential, would be a step backward.”
Success is not just about the number of stocks being fished sustainably; it is also about the overall amount of fish in the water. In the Northeast Atlantic, including the highly productive North Sea, the biomass of fully assessed stocks has increased by 37% since 2003. However, this positive trend has not yet been mirrored in the Mediterranean, where progress remains limited. Although overfishing has decreased, from 75% in 2004 to 51% in 2022, the overall volume of fish in the water has not significantly recovered. This is largely due to repeated delays in implementing long-term, science-based management measures.
Stronger compliance with the CFP could unlock greater social, economic and environmental benefits. Yet, when catch opportunities are allocated, they are still distributed in ways that favour those who have historically caught the most fish –typically larger operators. This puts the livelihoods of small-scale and low-impact fishers at serious risk, despite their vital contributions to local communities and more sustainable fishing practices. It also runs counter to the CFP, which states that access to fish should consider social, economic, and environmental factors.
Oceana calls for full implementation of the CFP to build a thriving sector that attracts the next generation. The current evaluation of the CFP presents an opportunity to assess progress, identify obstacles to implementation, and restore trust in the policy.
“The current CFP provides the necessary tools to address today’s challenges –from sustainability and food security to climate adaptation and economic resilience. Many of its shortcomings stem from poor or inconsistent implementation by Member States. A reform at this stage could do more harm than good, potentially weakening legal safeguards, diverting political focus, delaying urgently needed action, and creating regulatory uncertainty”, adds Javier López, Campaign Director for Sustainable Fisheries.
Notes to the editor
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was established in 1983 and has undergone three major reforms, the most recent of which was adopted in 2013. This latest reform set out to rebuild all commercially exploited fish populations to healthy levels by ending overfishing by 2020. Key tools introduced to support this objective include stock management by fishery and sea basin through multiannual plans (such as the Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan), along with the gradual introduction of a landing obligation to reduce unwanted catches and discards.
In 2023, the European Commission published a communication assessing the functioning of the CFP. That report concluded that the CFP remains fit for purpose, highlighting notable progress such as the recovery of several fish stocks. However, it also pointed to areas where implementation needs to be strengthened. In 2024, the Commission launched a full evaluation of the CFP regulation, which is now underway.
