Report | November 13, 2024
Policy Briefing: Fisheries and the European Green Deal
The increasing urgency of the climate crisis necessitates comprehensive action across all sectors, including fisheries, a critical component of both European cultural heritage and regional economies. Although the fisheries sector represents a relatively small portion of the European Union (EU)’s overall economy, its economic impact is disproportionately significant in certain coastal and rural areas, where it sustains livelihoods and communities. At the same time, the sector is dependent on a healthy environment to sustain its activities and is itself at risk from the climate crisis. The EU is committed to achieving ambitious climate targets under the European Green Deal and recognises the need for sustainable resource management as pivotal in reaching these goals. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), a cornerstone of EU policy, aims to ensure that fishing is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.1 Integral to achieving this is Article 17 of the CFP, which sets out rules for the distribution of fishing opportunities by EU Member States.
Article 17 provides a framework for EU Member States to distribute fishing opportunities based on transparent and objective criteria, including environmental, social, and economic factors. This policy briefing highlights the instrumental role Article 17 can play in aligning fisheries management with the EU’s broader climate objectives under the EU Green Deal.

