The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) welcomes the European Commission’s launch of the European Ocean Pact, recognising the initiative as an important step toward a sustainable, inclusive, and fair blue economy. Representing over five million transport workers across Europe, including in fisheries, maritime transport, and ports, the ETF strongly supports the Pact’s environmental ambitions, but insists that the people who work on the ocean must be at the heart of the transition.
“The ocean is not just a resource – it is a workplace. Any vision for its future must include the rights, safety, and voices of those who sustain it,” said ETF General Secretary Livia Spera.
A Just Transition Requires Real Commitment to Workers
The ETF welcomes the Pact’s high-level vision, but urges the Commission to follow through with binding policies and adequate funding. This means ensuring social and sectoral justice: where fishers, seafarers, and port workers are not just consulted, but meaningfully involved in decisions that shape their sectors.
The ETF stresses the need for strong labour representation in the newly proposed High-Level Ocean Board, calling for a seat at the table to represent fisheries, maritime, and port workers alongside industrial and environmental stakeholders.
Balancing Environmental Goals with Worker Rights
While the ETF supports the expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) and an ecosystem-based approach to ocean management, it warns against policies that unfairly target fisheries while ignoring pollution from other sectors. Decisions around MPAs must involve fishers and local communities, and all sectors must be held equally accountable for marine health.
On maritime emissions, the ETF supports the Emission Trading System (ETS) but raises concerns about evasive port calls—where vessels may divert to non-EU ports to bypass ETS requirements. This risks undermining climate goals and harming EU ports and jobs. The ETF calls for robust monitoring of non-EU ports and potential regulatory expansion to prevent unfair competition and shipping route distortions.
Support for Coastal Communities and Fair Funding
Despite growing expectations on fisheries to modernise, innovate, and contribute to climate targets, the ETF highlights the lack of new funding under the Ocean Pact. The current European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is insufficient. ETF calls for a significant increase in the upcoming MFF 2028–2034 to support fishers, invest in local infrastructure, and build resilient coastal communities.
Securing Decent Work in the Blue Economy
ETF welcomes the Pact’s commitment to social issues – such as generational renewal, gender equality, and skills development – but insists on a broader social agenda. This includes:
Global Responsibility, Global Standards
Finally, ETF urges the European Commission to strengthen the social dimension of international fisheries governance, using the EU’s influence to promote decent work and fair competition worldwide. The ETF looks forward to contributing to the upcoming 2026 Communication on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
ETF’s Message to the European Commission:
The ETF remains committed to shaping an ocean future that is not only sustainable but also fair, inclusive, and respectful of the people who make the blue economy possible.
Download the full ETF reaction to the European Commission’s European Ocean Pact here.