The European Parliament calls for a new package for the future of fisheries policy

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has adopted a resolution assessing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and calling for its future direction. The vote was 368 in favour, 172 against, with 69 MEPs abstaining. A total of 609 out of 717 MEPs took part, representing just under 85 per cent.

The resolution responds to the evaluation of the CFP rules for the period 2014–2024, which the Commission published at the end of April 2026. Parliament calls on the Commission to present, by the end of 2026, a legislative package that will tighten and clarify the so-called landing obligation, accelerate the modernisation and decarbonisation of the fishing fleet, support generational renewal in the sector and small-scale coastal fishing, and step up the fight against illegal fishing. MEPs also rejected as unacceptable the planned 66 per cent cut in CFP funding in the next EU multiannual budget for 2028–2034 and are calling for the EMFAF to be maintained as a separate fund.

The text that was ultimately put to the vote was drawn up as a joint proposal by four groups – the EPP, S&D, Renew and ECR – whose representatives jointly signed it. The PfE, The Left and Greens/EFA groups did not endorse it and each instead tabled its own competing motion for a resolution. Only the joint text proceeded to the final vote.

This division was reflected almost exactly in the voting result. The EPP voted unanimously in favour, with not a single vote against or abstention. Renew supported the text almost unanimously, with only a few exceptions. The S&D also backed the resolution, but by no means unanimously – nearly a quarter of its MEPs voted against it, whilst another section abstained. The Greens/EFA were the only one of the four democratic groups to vote against, and did so by an overwhelming majority; instead of the joint text, they backed their own proposal, drafted by Isabella Lövin.

Two of the text’s co-rapporteurs from the EPP commented on the vote. Carmen Crespo stated: “European fishermen are under increasing pressure. The current policy is fifteen years old and no longer reflects today’s reality. [...] If we continue down this path, it will not be 70 per cent, but all seafood that Europe will have to import, often produced to lower standards. We face a clear threat to our coastal communities and food security.” Isabelle Le Callennec added: “Over the last ten years, the EU fishing fleet has lost more than ten thousand vessels. [...] We call on the Commission: let European fishermen fish, not go under.”

Opinion was divided amongst the far-right groups: the ECR voted overwhelmingly in favour, as did the EPP, S&D and Renew, whilst PfE voted clearly against. The ESN largely abstained from the vote – the vast majority of its MEPs voted neither for nor against. The Left voted against and also tabled its own competing proposal.

Turnout was highest among the ESN and the Greens/EFA, both at around 92 per cent, whilst it was lowest among The Left, at just under 82 per cent.