The European Commission has announced the launch of ‘Fishers of the Future’, an EU-wide participatory project that will examine the future role of fishers in society up to 2050.

The project will delve into the hopes, fears, expectations, and needs of fishers to understand how the profession is likely to evolve by 2050.

‘Fishers of the Future’ will also explore the expansion of fishers’ role in society beyond providing high-quality seafood.

The research will focus on three specific strands:

• Factors and trends influencing the long-term sustainability and profitability of the fishing sector and fishing communities’ well-being: this includes the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution; the green and digital transition; the need for skill development; an aging workforce; market dynamics; and trade developments.

• Fishers’ identity and roles beyond their core business, particularly in the conservation and restoration of the marine environment, the promotion of environmental tourism, and the development of coastal areas.

• Challenges and opportunities resulting from interactions between fishers and other maritime actors, particularly in maritime spatial planning, renewable energy deployment, organisation of the seafood supply chain, circular economy, and diversification of the blue economy.

The project will involve fishers and related actors at the local level to capture their opinions and perceptions. The aim is to develop a shared understanding of challenges and future possibilities together with fishers.

This will then inform potential transitions within the fisheries sector. ‘Fishers of the Future’ will provide European institutions with key decision-making tools. Simultaneously, the study will assess how to move towards a sustainable sector that can attract and retain future generations of fishers.

Next steps

The project will run until December 2024. A participatory kick-off event involving a wide range of stakeholders will be held in spring of 2024.

Background

The ‘Fishers of the Future’ project is a key element of the ‘Pact for Fisheries and Oceans’, announced in February 2023.

Further information from the EU can be read here.