Comments from EFFOP to the “Energy transition of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector”

The European Commission has issued a call for evidence on the initiative on energy transition of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector.

We have responded to the Commission’s call of evidence and particularly highlighted two main points: 

A part of the fishery and aquaculture sector 

The fishmeal and fish oil industry is energy intensive – this has, among other things, become particularly noticeable in 2022 with fluctuations in energy prices. EFFOP therefore supports the background for the Commission’s initiative and the need for a strategy that sets the course for an energy transition within the fishery and aquaculture sector.

The fishmeal and fish oil industry is part of the overall value chain and thus part of the sector. In certain cases, the definition of ‘sector’ does not include the fishmeal and fish oil industry which makes it difficult for the industry – both in practice and within the legislation – to contribute to the overall energy transition.

Equal access to funding possibilities 

The fishmeal and fish oil industry is committed to an energy transition in order to achieve the overall goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. However, the processing fish industry is currently the only industry in Europe without access to governmental funds in the energy transition. EFFOP has in its contribution urged the Commission to work with measures that ensure equal opportunities for funding in the energy transition of the fishery and aquaculture sector. 

Read more about the Commission’s call for evidence on the energy transition of the fishery and aquaculture sector here: Call for evidence – Energy transition of EU fisheries and aquaculture