Rethink Fisheries Day – Pathways for a Just Transition
A day of dialogue, solutions and action for the future of European fisheries
wednesday, 30th september, 9.00AM - 9.00PM
Brussels, Atelier 29, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29
European fisheries stand at a turning point. Climate change, biodiversity loss and fishing pressures demand new approaches that are environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically resilient.
Rethink Fisheries Day – Pathways for a Just Transition brings together policymakers, fishers, scientists, civil society organisations and practitioners to explore practical solutions for transforming Europe's fisheries.
Held during Ocean Week in Brussels, this action-oriented event connects policy discussions with real world experiences, showcasing successful initiatives and identifying concrete pathways towards fair, low-impact and ecosystem-based fisheries.
9h – 9h30 Welcome
9h30 – 9h45 Opening remarks
Directorate-General Charlina Vitcheva (tbc)
9h45 – 10h30 Fisheries and Aquaculture towards 2050
Keynote on foresight studies for fisheries and aquaculture by Nafiha Usman
(DNV – Norway) and Mathieu Doray (Ifremer – France)
10h45 – 12h15 A Roadmap towards Ecosystem Management and Restoration
Ken Kawahara – Ligneur de la Pointe Bretagne, France
Anna Rindorf – Director of institute, Professor, DTU Aqua, Denmark
Stefan Tijsen – Pot fishing agency, The Netherlands
Isabella Lovin – Green MEP, Sweden (tbc)
How ecosystem restoration and fisheries management can work together in the EU. Ecosystem-based, multispecies approaches are recognised within the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) but have yet to be fully implemented. A successful ecosystem approach requires science-based decision-making, the integration of fishers’ knowledge through co-management, and alignment between fisheries policies and marine conservation and restoration efforts to rebuild healthy fish populations and resilient ecosystems.
12h15 – 13h15 Lunch
13h15 – 13h45 The case for a Just Transition
Keynote on feasibility study to transition towards low-impact fisheries by Didier Gascuel (Professor at Institut Agro Rennes – France)
13h45 – 15h15 From import dependency to local resilience: Europe's seafood future
Benjamin Denjen – Paysan Marin, France
Karoliina Lehtimäki – Snowchange, Finland (tbc)
Carlotta Santolini – Blueat, Italy
Eric Sargiacomo – S&D MEP, France (tbc)
As the EU remains heavily dependent on imports for its favourite seafood species while exporting abundant local catches, how can Europe build a more resilient, sustainable and food-secure seafood system? This panel will explore shifting consumer demand, trade dynamics, fisheries, and the future of aquaculture in shaping the EU seafood market.
15h30 – 17h00 Enabling the future of fisheries: Towards a fairer and more effective EU funding framework
Isabelle Marx – Pleine mer, France (tbc)
Constantin Tsakas – Chief Economist at Plan Bleu, UN
Argo Mengel – Fisher, Estonia
Dovile Vaigauskaite – Head of Unit European Commission MARE D.3
As the EU prepares its budget for 2028–2034, Europe's fisheries face growing challenges. Declining fish populations, climate change, fuel price volatility and an ageing fleet are putting pressure on the sector and the coastal communities that depend on it. At the same time, EU fisheries funding remains unevenly distributed, with smaller-scale fleets receiving too little support despite their important role. The next EU budget is an opportunity to build a fairer, more resilient and lower-carbon fishing sector while ensuring healthy oceans for future generations.
17h30 – 18h30 Blue Justice: Fair governance and access to fisheries
David Lange – Fisher, Denmark
Yaiza Dronkers Londoño – North Sea Foundation, The Netherlands
Benoit Guérin – Fisher, France
Diaba Diop – Fish plant worker, Senegal
Fisheries governance and access rights to fishing grounds and quotas are central to achieving sustainable, equitable, and resilient fisheries. Key issues include improving transparency and accountability in decision-making, ensuring fair allocation of fishing opportunities, strengthening the participation of fishers and coastal communities, and promoting co-management approaches that integrate scientific knowledge with the experience of resource users.
18h30 – 21h00 Cocktail reception and low-trophic buffet