Voices from the Mediterranean: Small-Scale Fishers’ Experiences with the EU Common Fisheries Policy

Voices from the Mediterranean: Small-Scale Fishers’ Experiences with the EU Common Fisheries Policy

A new video testimonial from small-scale fishers in Cyprus, France and Spain highlights a crucial message: many of the pressures facing Mediterranean low-impact fisheries are not rooted in the design of the Common Fisheries Policy, but in its incomplete and inconsistent implementation and enforcement. From declining fish populations and increasing fishing effort, to difficulties in accessing fishing opportunities and the lack of effective protection in Marine Protected Areas, fishers describe the daily realities on the ground. The EU Common Fisheries Policy already includes the tools needed to restore fish stocks, ensure fairer access to resources and strengthen coastal communities. As the policy undergoes evaluation, these lived experiences provide grounded, evidence-based insights into what must work better in practice. The future of EU fisheries is now in the hands of the European Commission. Let’s protect what works! 🐟