17
Jun
2025
Watch
European Ocean Pact (debate)
Madam President, Commissioner, vague promises are not worth it, because it is the future of future generations of our sons and daughters that is at stake. The Pact is a step in the right direction to address threats, but it needs to contain more concrete measures for fishermen. It is important that the Pact puts small-scale fishermen at the centre, addressing their real challenges, which are none other than generational renewal, fishing capacity and overfishing by third countries. The aim is to protect, promote and provide fishermen with sufficient means to improve the competitiveness of the sector, betting on fishing activity, increasing the sustainable production of fishery products, while protecting the oceans and supporting the economic development of our coastal communities and their traditional way of life. For socialists it is an opportunity, but only if we provide it with concrete measures and with sufficient funding. This issue should not have ideologies because it is a matter of survival: It is the future of Europe that is at stake.