From Insight to Action: how ETP Stakeholders are Advancing Towards Smarter Energy Solutions for EU Fisheries

This article was originally published on the SEAGLOW project website.

Seaglow is at the forefront of advancing the energy transition in the European Union’s fisheries, with a particular focus on ensuring that small-scale fisheries (SSF) have access to the technological solutions necessary to address emerging challenges while meeting regulatory requirements.

In pursuit of this objective, Seaglow actively follows the work of the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) for EU fisheries and aquaculture sector, an initiative launched by the European Commission in 2023. The ETP provides a collaborative platform for a wide range of stakeholders to tackle the complexities of transitioning to sustainable energy.

The work of the ETP focuses on knowledge sharing on innovation, technologies, skills, and finance to support the sector’s transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. A key activity in achieving this goal is the establishment of a Support Group (SG) to the ETP — a collaborative, bottom-up, and voluntary advisory body that brings together representatives from all major segments of the sector, ensuring that diverse perspectives are reflected in shaping the transition. The SG is structured around ten thematic working groups, each focused on a key area of the transition, and led by a representative acting as group coordinator. Two partners of the Seaglow consortium play leading roles in this structure by acting as SG Coordinators, helping to facilitate the strategic direction and outputs of the Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries and Research Organisations and Academia groups. Through these roles, Seaglow aims to positively contribute to discussions on innovation, investment, capacity building, and regulatory alignment.

These coordinated efforts will feed into the ETP recommendations, to inform the future Energy Transition roadmap that sets out tangible milestones and actionable measures to guide the transformation of the fisheries landscape toward climate neutrality by 2050.

The Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries Working Group

One of these groups is dedicated to addressing the specific challenges of small-scale fisheries in the energy transition. It is coordinated by Marta Cavallé of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE), a European platform that advocates for the interests of small-scale fishers. “The Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries (SSCF) Working Group is committed to addressing the unique challenges of the energy transition in small-scale fisheries by exploring practical, cost-effective solutions and advocating for equitable access to financial and technological resources“, she explains.

Small-scale fisheries, deeply rooted in coastal communities, operate under financial constraints and have limited access to investment opportunities. The transition to low-emission and energy-efficient solutions is hindered by high technological costs. Additionally, small-scale coastal fisheries must adopt practical, affordable solutions to ensure both environmental sustainability and long-term economic viability. This working group explores cost-effective innovations such as hybrid propulsion systems, renewable energy applications, and optimised fishing techniques while looking into tailored financial support mechanisms and ensuring equitable access to investment opportunities.

In February and March 2025, the working group held its first two meetings. The first brought together 16 small-scale fishers and representatives from 13 countries to identify key challenges, opportunities, and the main human, technical, financial, and regulatory barriers to the sector’s energy transition. The second meeting focused on technical and research gaps, with Seaglow representatives, experts, and fishers already piloting solutions sharing insights on the current state of energy transition technologies in small-scale fisheries.

The Research Organisations and Academia Working Group

Energy reform in EU fisheries is drawing growing interest from researchers, including due to its direct link to climate goals and sustainability agenda. Academic work is key to finding low-impact, cost-effective solutions that keep the sector both green and competitive. Gorka Gabiña of AZTI—a scientific and technological centre specialised in the marine environment and food sectors—leads this working group, which explores how research and academia can support the energy transition across fisheries and aquaculture. “The Research Organisations and Academia Working Group is committed to address the specific challenges of the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture by analysing potential solutions for each case from the point of view of financing, regulatory framework, technology gaps and readiness, skills and short, medium and long term objectives and insights in order to design a pathway to facilitate the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture” Gorka Gabina explains.

As the energy transition aligns with broader climate change mitigation efforts and EU sustainability policies, academic and research institutions play a crucial role in developing innovative, energy-efficient technologies and sustainable fishing methods. This group fosters collaboration between academia, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to translate research findings into actionable strategies and practical solutions tailored to the realities of small-scale, large-scale and distance water fisheries and inland and offshore aquaculture plants.

The first Working Group was held in February 2025. This meeting was attended by 12 researchers and academics from 7 different countries. The working group is made up of members with different professional profiles that contain a very strong potential for finding synergies for the promotion of the energy transition from the field of research and academia. They deal with energy audits and tailored solutions, aquaculture innovation and technology, monitoring and AI apps, roadmap and pathways, fisheries technology, skills, living labs, engines and alternative fuels, naval architecture, finance opportunities and funding programs.
The second Working Group, held in March 2025, focused on identifying key drivers and barriers for advancing the energy transition, including regulatory frameworks, future pathways, and gaps in technology and research.

The Strategic Importance of the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP)

The ETP platform enables stakeholders to collectively identify challenges and propose viable solutions for the energy transition.
In December 2024, Michael Rafn of North Denmark EU Office, Seaglow’s project leader organisation, presented Seaglow at the first ETP meeting organised by The ETP Assistance Mechanism in collaboration with DG MARE. The workshop, titled “Navigating the Energy Transition: Strategic Goals for a Resilient and Sustainable Fisheries Fleet” facilitated connections with sectoral group members, coordinators, and other projects working toward a greener small-scale fisheries sector. The findings from this workshop have been published, detailing key discussions, challenges, solutions, and recommendations to inform the sector’s transition strategies.

A second key workshop, “Navigating the Future of EU Fisheries through Energy Transition” was held in April 2025. Building on prior working group and stakeholder discussions, it enabled a critical review and prioritisation of draft recommendations for supporting the sector’s energy transition. Participants mapped key stakeholders, assessed barriers, and proposed additional measures to address emerging needs. These insights will inform the Energy Transition roadmap to be developed by early 2026. Workshop presentations are already available, with full findings to be published soon.

The ETP will continue gathering information and insights from stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in shaping the pathway toward climate neutrality by 2050. On 21 May, during the European Maritime Day (EMD) in Cork, Ireland, the ETP will host a session titled “Taking Stock of the Energy Transition Partnership Towards the Roadmap”. The session will provide a comprehensive summary of the findings produced so far during the working group meetings and stakeholder workshops, and it will offer stakeholders an opportunity to exchange views and contribute to refining recommendations and developing practical solutions for the sector’s energy transition.

Seaglow remains committed to driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions in the fisheries sector. Through active engagement in the ETP and collaboration with key stakeholders, Seaglow continues to work towards a just, efficient, and financially viable transition for small-scale fisheries, aligned with the EU’s long-term energy objectives.

Seaglow gratefully acknowledges the ETP Assistance Mechanism for its contribution to the drafting of this article.