Water, Marine & Fisheries

Our Work

Our Marine Programme has a track record of analysing and commenting on the evolution of EU fisheries policies and related marine environmental initiatives for over a decade. The programme has launched a number of projects and studies on specific areas such as fisheries subsidies, indicators of sustainable fisheries, inshore fisheries management and governance of EU fisheries. In the next three years, the fisheries programme will focus on the reform of the CFP 2012 and the reform of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in 2013 which are critical to ensuring sustainable EU fisheries in the next decade.

IEEP has a long track record of examining the challenges in the implementation of key marine and water legislation, which will dominate the EU environmental agenda for years to come, such as the Water Framework Directive (2000). More recently, we have extended our focus to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008), the environmental pillar of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. Together, these Directives set ambitious goals and management approaches to all surface waters, ground waters and marine waters.

IEEP has an established Fisheries and Marine Programme that has been analysing and commenting on the evolution of EU fisheries policies and related marine environmental initiatives for over a decade. The programme has launched a number of projects and studies on specific areas such as fisheries subsidies, indicators of sustainable fisheries, inshore fisheries management and governance of EU fisheries. Our work has been funded by Esmee Fairbairn, Oak and other foundations, the European Commission, Defra (the UK environment ministry), the fisheries industry and a range of NGOs.

Whilst the programme focuses primarily on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and fisheries management issues, we recognise that current discussions are increasingly set within the wider context of marine management, specifically the EU Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). As a result, the Marine and Fisheries programme is increasing its activities taking into account the potential impacts of EU enlargement and the external factors which are likely to hamper progress towards better management of our seas.

We publish a bi-annual fisheries newsletter El Anzuelo. The newsletter raises awareness on the complex issues related to the implementation of CFP but also provides a platform for broader dialogue on fisheries and the environment.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Water, Marine & Fisheries

  • The Ecosystem Approach in Marine Management

    The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires Member States to apply an “ecosystem approach to marine management”. This report defines the ecosystem approach and puts it into context by describing the challenges of applying it across Europe’s seas.

  • Winter Newsletter published

    The latest edition of IEEP's newsletter is now available with articles on the new EU Treaty, the impacts of biofuels on biodiversity, benefits of Natura 2000, and much more...

  • Read the latest issue of El Anzuelo

    The latest edition of IEEP's fisheries newsletter focuses on the Common Fisheries Policy reform, with a special feature on transferable fishing concessions. Read contributions from Janez Potočnik, Pavel Salz, Saskia Richartz and more...

  • Linking the Water Framework Directive and the IPPC Directive: Phase 2

    Integrating pollution control into river basin management is a major challenge. A report for IMPEL explores how Member States address this.

  • Independent review of the EU Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Regulations

    This review highlights the potential of the EU IUU Regulation to deter illegal fishing and the challenges during the first 18 months of implementation.

  • New Analysis by IEEP Points to Flaws in IUU Regulation

    Eighteen months since the EU IUU Regulations entered into force, essential tools to combat illegal fishing remain unimplemented and there are indications that illegally caught fisheries products continue to enter the EU market.

  • Perspectives for the new European Fisheries Fund

    Independent evaluation of the EFF, highlighting challenges of implementation faced by Member States and the sector, and providing evidence-based proposals for a future fisheries fund.

  • Perspectives for the new European Fisheries Fund

    IEEP's Indrani Lutchman presenting new report 'Perspectives for the new European Fisheries Fund' to the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries (11 October, Brussels).

  • Sourcebook on EU Environmental Law

    The Sourcebook provides a practical reference document on applicable EU environmental legislation, practices and standards which need to be taken into account in the planning and development of projects supported by Banks that have signed the ‘European Principles for the Environment'.

  • National Assembly for Wales briefed by IEEP

    IEEP's Indrani Lutchman and Kaley Hart were called on to brief the National Assembly for Wales on the CFP and CAP reforms.

  • Transboundary Water Security in Central Asia: Addressing the Crisis

    Transboundary water issues pose significant security concerns in Central Asia. This briefing summaries the results of a roundtable on the issue, attended by IEEP's Andrew Farmer.

  • EU Water Policy – fit for purpose?

    New report from Deloitte and IEEP assesses the relevance, coherence, effectiveness and efficiency of EU Water Policy.

  • New dawn for the Common Fisheries Policy?

    The Commission has published the long awaited reform proposals for the future of the CFP. But what are the changes and will they mark a new dawn for European fisheries?

  • Cross-scale governance for water management

    A new paper on the challenges of cross-scale governance for water management has been published.

  • Natural resources policy – the next frontier?

    Improved resource efficiency is considered the core environmental challenge alongside climate change. A new IEEP paper reviews the mixed results of previous EU Natural Resources policy and suggests a number of ways forward.

  • EU Natural Resources policy: Signposts on the roadmap to sustainability

    The EU is committed to building improved resource efficiency into its economic strategy, starting with a “roadmap” this year. A new paper from the Institute sets out the challenges, reviews the mixed results of previous EU policy in this area and suggests a number of ways forward. Both a broad vision and an array of practical policy initiatives are required.

  • Eliminating discards -what can be done?

    IEEP's Indrani Lutchman will be on a panel at the European Parliament today (4 May 2011) to discuss ways to reduce or eliminate the wasteful practice of discarding unwanted catches of fish.

  • Key Messages on the Future of Europe’s Waters

    IEEP has contributed to the production of the key messages from a major water conference contributing to future EU policy development.

  • Funding Natura 2000

    The study assesses the successes and shortcomings of the existing EU framework for funding Natura 2000 and identifies possibilities for improving these financing arrangements in the future.

  • El Anzuelo Volume 23

    The 23rd edition of IEEP fisheries newsletter El Anzuelo focuses on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Read contributions from Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries ...

Highlights