From 08 until 10 April 2025, EAA members met in Brussels for the spring 2025 Subgroup & Board meetings during which members discussed several topics affecting their work in the organisation’s Joint Subgroup, Freshwater & Sea subgroups. The agenda featured key points such as the Revised Control Regulation, developments within the Living Rivers Europe Coalition, and the EU-funded research project ProtectFish where EAA plays a crucial role on the External Advisory Board (EAB). Additionally, the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was thoroughly discussed.
Subgroup meetings - an annual gathering to further steer the organisation
During last week’s subgroup meetings, sessions of the Freshwater, Sea and Joint subgroups were organised. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to exchange updates, align on priorities, and prepare for upcoming advocacy work for EAA members. Additionally, these meetings are key for the further agenda of the organisation for the second part of its working year until the September subgroup & General Assembly (GA) meetings.
The Sea Subgroup took stock – in presence of a representative of DG MARE – of the recent developments concerning the Common Fisheries Policy, including the public consultation on the CFP evaluation as well as the European Oceans Pact that is currently being drafted by the European Commission. Other topics of discussion during this subgroup meeting included: the catch registration online application that is mandatory under the newly revised Control Regulation.
More information on the revised Control Regulation can be found here:
The Freshwater Subgroup meeting was the occasion to take stock of the works & developments concerning EAA’s involvement in the Living Rivers Europe coalition. Under this framework, the EAA has worked intensively the past months on the Own-Initiative Report (INI) by the European Parliament on the Water Resilience Initiative. Other topics of the subgroup meeting included hydropower installations in the Netherlands and angler participation in dam removal projects.
More information on the work done by EAA on the Water Resilience Initiative can be found via this press release:
More information on the Living Rivers Europe coalition – of which EAA is an active and founding member – can be found via this link:
Finally, the Joint Subgroup welcomed an update on the new legislative proposal of the European Commission on lead restrictions. This proposal has been built upon extensive preparatory work by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Currently the Commission proposal suggests a 3-year phase-out for sinkers weighing 50g or less and a 5-year phase-out for sinkers above 50g. The EAA is further monitoring this file to ensure the angling community is fully aware of the changes imposed to tackle material.
Other topics on the joint subgroup meeting include an update on EAA’s participation to the EU-funded Horizon Europe project “
ProtectFish”. This especially given that EAA plays a crucial role on the project’s External Advisory Board (EAB) providing feedback and advice on the project’s direction.
Next subgroup meetings will take place in Vienna (Austria) on 4 and 5 September, just before the EAA's 31st General Assembly on 06 September.
(c) Aliénor 2025
Subgroups meetings - ideal moment to highlight Recreational Fisheries sector's benefits in the European Parliament
During the same week of the EAA’s subgroup meetings, members of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and the European Fishing Tackle and Trade Association (EFTTA) visited the European Parliament for the first policy event of our European Parliament Forum on Recreational Fisheries and aquatic environment. This event – chaired by MEP André Rodrigues (S&D, Portugal) and in presence of 4 other MEPs and representatives of the EU Commission (DG MARE – Unit D) – tackled the issue of further recognition of the socio-economic benefits of Recreational Fisheries sector in EU policies.
The event served as a timely reminder that this low-impact & high-added value sector must be appropriately considered in the decision-making process.
(c) Aliénor 2025
More information on the event of the RecFishing Forum can be found via this link Read the event’s full press release via this link