Driving the Energy Transition and Climate Resilience in EU Fisheries

The energy transition in the fisheries sector is not just about reducing emissions and fighting climate change—it's about ensuring the sector remains competitive on the global stage and stays resilient in the long-term.

The sector’s reliance on fossil fuels threatens the viability of the industry, making the shift to low-impact, low-carbon practices essential for both economic and environmental sustainability. By accelerating this transition, the EU can enhance the global competitiveness of its fisheries sector while also ensuring a fair social transition for fishers and communities. 

Why Attend? 

While the European Commission is expected to present a strategic roadmap outlining how to decarbonize the fisheries sector by the end of 2024, this pivotal discussion will delve into why and how the fisheries sector can accelerate its shift to low-impact and low-carbon practices, aligning with the EU's broader climate neutrality goals by 2050. With energy costs affecting competitiveness and the need for a fair social transition becoming ever more pressing, this event offers a timely platform to explore the intersection of sustainability and economic resilience in EU fisheries. 

Key Highlights: 

- Insights from top scientific experts and perspectives from small-scale, low-impact fishers on sustainable fishing practices and the sector's energy transition. 
- Discussions on how the EU can ensure a fair transition that supports both the industry’s competitiveness and the resilience of coastal communities. 
- Networking with key stakeholders and policymakers who are shaping the future of EU fisheries. 

Organised by ClientEarth, Oceana and Seas at Risk, this event is part of the larger Ocean Week in Brussels—a critical moment for advancing ocean sustainability in EU policy discussions. It will feature former MEP Caroline Roose, Policy Adviser of Low Impact Fishers of Europe Brian O'Riordan, scientific experts Didier Gascuel, and Frederieke Ziegler, who will share their insights on sustainable fishing and the sector's transition. 

Schedule

12:00-12:05 

Welcome words and opening remarks by Adam Weiss, European Director of Programs at ClientEarth 

12:05-12:15

European Parliament perspective by Caroline Roose, ex Member of the European Parliament  

12:15-12:35 

Scientific perspectives 

• Didier Gascuel, author and researcher in fisheries science and marine ecology at Agrocampus Ouest in Rennes, France 

• Friederike Ziegler, senior scientist at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden 

12:35-12:45 

Perspectives of small-scale, low-impact fishers by Brian O'Riordan, Policy Officer for the Low Impact Fishers of Europe

12:45-12:50 

Closing remarks by Adam Weiss, European Director of Programs at ClientEarth 

12:50-13:00

Q&A session

13:00-13:30

Lunch & softs