Fisheries are inherently global in nature. The European Union, with its expansive waters, sizeable fleet, and influential seafood market, plays a central role in shaping how this sector operates worldwide. Beyond conserving fish stocks and managing access to resources, the EU has the opportunity – and indeed the responsibility – to influence how social, economic, and environmental sustainability intertwine in global fisheries.
One of the EU’s most effective tools for external fisheries policy has been the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements. These agreements provide access to third-country waters but also serve as a vehicle for exporting European values. Increasingly, the expectation is that SFPAs should not be limited to economic gains for the EU fleet. They should promote fair employment practices, protect the rights of all fishers – including non-EU nationals working aboard EU vessels -and ensure alignment with international labour standards.
Without such measures, the EU risks undermining its reputation as a leader in upholding decent work, especially when exploitation or unsafe conditions persist at sea. By embedding robust social clauses into SFPAs, the EU can demonstrate that sustainability is not only about fish stocks, but also about the dignity and safety of those who harvest them.
RFMOs are critical arenas where international fisheries rules are debated and adopted. Yet, concerns remain that in some instances, positions supported by the EU have risked lowering global benchmarks for labour conditions. Endorsing standards below those set out by conventions like the International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention (C188) weakens both worker protections and the credibility of international institutions.
A more proactive EU stance in RFMOs could help elevate global norms. By pushing for adoption and enforcement of minimum labour standards, the EU can ensure that its influence is aligned with protecting fishers rather than eroding safeguards.
The EU seafood market is among the largest in the world. This makes it a powerful tool for shaping global fisheries practices. Just as the EU uses its Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing regulation to protect marine resources, it could apply similar principles to labour conditions. Banning imports from fleets or countries with a track record of labour abuses would create strong incentives for reform. Likewise, robust enforcement of initiatives such as the regulation banning products made with forced labour, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, could extend meaningful protections to fishers worldwide.
Fishing remains one of the most dangerous professions, with workers often exposed to long hours, hazardous conditions, and poor oversight. Too often, labour issues are overshadowed by ecological or economic concerns. Strengthening the social dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy’s external action would therefore be a decisive step toward safer, fairer, and more sustainable fisheries. By putting people at the centre of its external fisheries policy, the EU can lead globally not only in conservation but also in human rights and dignity at sea.
These reflections align with the elements put forward by the European Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ETF) reply to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the EU strategy for fisheries external action. You can see our full response here.