Ahead of the European Parliament’s plenary vote on 17 September on the resolution concerning the European Commission’s evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), environmental NGOs are calling on MEPs to protect and fully implement the existing CFP rather than reopen it.

The CFP already provides the legal framework needed to deliver sustainable fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support the long-term viability of fishing communities. The priority now should be to improve implementation and address the gaps that have prevented the policy from delivering its full potential, not to reopen a framework that was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of Europe’s fisheries.

The resolution being put to a vote includes elements that could pave the way for reopening parts of the CFP. This could undermine existing commitments and create further uncertainty at a time when European fisheries are already facing significant environmental, economic and social challenges.

The CFP Coalition has therefore prepared a short explainer outlining the key issues at stake and the reasons why MEPs should support effective implementation of the existing policy rather than reopen it.

Posted on: 16 September 2026