23 February 2026
Behind a net of secrecy: How industrial fishing lobbying shapes EU Fisheries Policy
Description
This policy brief examines how the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), shaped by its roots in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and decades of behind-the-scenes political bargaining, has prioritised short-term economic interests over ecological sustainability. It unpacks the power dynamics and industrial influence that continue to drive overfishing, environmental degradation, and unequal outcomes for coastal communities. It also argues that upholding transparency and broader participation in decision-making processes and guaranteeing a level playing field and targeted support for small-scale fishers in the EU plays an essential role in addressing these challenges.
