Garat also highlighted the EESC’s call for strict protection zones as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, to be applied case by case with a balance between conservation and economic activity, ensuring food production is not threatened in line with the Paris Agreement.
Key proposals include urgent legislative simplification — cutting regulatory burdens by 25% overall and 35% for SMEs — boosting investment and innovation in sustainable technologies, and establishing an Industrial Alliance for Blue Economy value chains. Garat advocated for strengthening EU strategic autonomy in critical sectors like food and energy.
In fisheries and aquaculture, he called for a European Action Plan on “blue foods” before 2026, promoting a healthy, low-carbon diet and reducing dependence on unsustainable imports. He also urged improved controls on imports to ensure fair competition and global sector sustainability.
Garat welcomed the European Commission’s recent creation of the Energy Transition Partnership for fisheries and aquaculture as an opportunity to modernise fleets sustainably and efficiently.
Regarding EU funding, the EESC calls for increased funding for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) in the next budget framework, plus a dedicated budget line for the blue economy in the programme succeeding Horizon Europe.
Garat stressed investing in capacity building and skills development for the blue economy, maintaining youth engagement in coastal communities, and harmonising training and certification across maritime, recreational, and fishing sectors to facilitate labour mobility and sector competitiveness.
On marine pollution, Garat noted the EESC recommends stronger EU regulations against land-based marine pollution sources, including industrial discharges, wastewater introducing organic, chemical, pharmaceutical contaminants, microplastics, and pellets into aquatic ecosystems.
Finally, Garat called for a thorough review of the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure it meets emerging challenges, balances biodiversity, food security, and economic sustainability, and adapts to a changing reality.