On 29 April 2029, the European Parliament published a study coordinated by Blomeyer & Sanz with the expertise of ProSea Marine Education Foundation on “Mapping threats and opportunities for the fisheries and aquaculture sector” in the framework of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) approach for 2028-2034. The results of the study will be presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries on 6 May 2026.

The purpose of this study was to clarify how the new proposed MFF architecture may affect EU fisheries and aquaculture, to compare the proposal with the current European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund framework, and to assess the threat of fragmentation and renationalisation of EU fisheries-related policies. The new MFF scheme, which will no longer contain a separate, dedicated fund to support the Common Fisheries Policy, aims to reduce fragmentation, better align funding with national and regional priorities, and enable faster budget allocation in response to crises and exceptional events.

The final report provides (1) an overview of the European Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 EU budget and how it would change funding for fisheries and aquaculture; (2) an analysis of the main opportunities and challenges, including greater flexibility for Member States but also concerns about reduced dedicated funding and uncertainty over future support; (3) a summary of other key EU initiatives, such as the European Competitiveness Fund and the European Ocean Pact, and their potential role in supporting the sector; and (4) practical recommendations for EU policymakers, in particular Members of the European Parliament, to help ensure that fisheries and aquaculture continue to receive sufficient funding and support for a sustainable and competitive future.