On February 19, 2026, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), standing united with our partners across the European fisheries and aquaculture sectors (Seafood Europe, Europêche, EAPO, and FEAP), addressed an urgent letter to the highest levels of EU leadership. We are sounding the alarm regarding the severe lack of guaranteed support for our sectors in the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034.
The Looming Funding Crisis The current MFF 2028-2034 proposal slashes the ring-fenced budget for fisheries and aquaculture by more than 67% compared to the current programming period. Instead of dedicated support, fisheries-related measures are largely relegated to non-binding references within National Recovery and Resilience Plans. This approach forces our sector to compete against other national priorities, risking substantial funding shortfalls and creating deep disparities between Member States.
This has an impact on workers and fishing communities. A properly funded Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is not a cost, but a vital strategic investment. The proposed cuts threaten the sector on multiple fronts:
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Social and Territorial Resilience: Fisheries and aquaculture are the backbone of many coastal and outermost regions, directly underpinning a massive share of local employment and economic activity.
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Food Security: fishers provide the EU with high-quality, low-carbon protein and are indispensable for reducing the Union’s reliance on imported food in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
- Future-Proofing the Industry: Adequate and predictable financing is an absolute prerequisite for critical investments in decarbonisation, digitalisation, and improved environmental performance.
- Restore the budget: Increase the minimum ring-fenced allocation to at least safeguard the current funding level of EUR 6.1 billion in real terms, adjusted for inflation
- Ensure legal certainty by anchoring mandatory funding guarantees in the future MFF, including dedicated resources for core CFP priorities.
The European fisheries and aquaculture value chains are committed to delivering on the Union’s objectives, but we need a financial framework that matches this regulatory ambition. Fisheries is one of the few exclusive competences of the EU and deserves appropriate dedicated funding.
Read the full joint letter attached below, addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and European Council President António Costa.
