Europeche warns of "spatial squeeze" from offshore wind, protected areas

The European fishing industry association, Europeche, has warned that fishing is being increasingly "pushed aside" by spatial planning that lacks effective safeguards, with the main pressures coming from offshore wind developments and marine protected areas.

Speaking at a European Commission dialogue on the maritime spatial planning (MSP) directive, Europeche's Managing Director, Daniel Voces, highlighted an "alarming outlook" for the sector.

He noted that the displacement of fishing fleets from traditional grounds increases operational costs, raises safety concerns, and drives up fuel use. He emphasised that unlike farmers, fishers do not hold property rights, leaving them vulnerable to being told to "fish somewhere else".

The association urged EU policymakers to use the dialogue as an opportunity to rebalance the MSP directive. Key demands include treating fisheries and food sovereignty as a priority public interest, similar to renewable energy, and ensuring mandatory participation of fishing stakeholders in all planning processes.

Europeche also called for robust assessments of displacement and for financial support tools to help fishers adapt.

The European Commission has announced that the results of the dialogue will feed into its MSP implementation report, due in March 2026, and a planned revision of the directive by 2027.