Cyprus can be an example in terms of aquaculture, which should be developed throughout the EU, while the country is also expected to benefit from the Commission’s support for small-scale fisheries, the Cypriot Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, said in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency on the occasion of his taking office in early December.
Kadis referred to the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and the effort to ensure competitiveness for European fisheries, noting that the proposals for possible revision will be presented towards the end of 2025 while also he referred to the fact that 70% of the fish consumed in the EU comes from imports.
He also referred to the Commission’s objectives to support small-scale fisheries, which would benefit Cyprus, but also to support aquaculture and fish farming where Cyprus is an excellent example of the steady growth and development.
The Commissioner also spoke about the progress Cyprus has made in the delimitation of Natura sites, referring to progress made during his term as a minister, and said he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture has an understanding of what needs to be done.
He also explained the importance of the upcoming European Oceans Pact and of the practice of maritime spatial planning, to ensure that human activities operate in harmony and without negative consequences for the environment or degradation of the oceans.
Asked about the main priorities of his portfolio, especially regarding fisheries and the balancing of major interests with the needs of the fisheries sector, Kadis said that his work will be structured along two axes, the first of which concerns the evaluation and possible improvements to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
He noted that the CFP is “one of only five EU policies for which the European Commission has exclusive competence and not the member states”, and that 11 years have passed since its revision in 2013.
The second pillar, according to Kadis, is connected to a feeling in the fisheries sector, which he has noted in meetings with MEPs and fishermen’s representatives, that it “is facing unfair competition from third countries”.
He estimated that EU policies will also positively affect Cyprus as the Commission’s priorities include “supporting small-scale fisheries” which constitutes Cyprus’ fisheries “almost in its entirety”. He noted that “there will be synergies” with other Commissioners such as the Commissioner for Transport and the Executive Vice-President of the Commission for Cohesion, so that “we can support areas such as coastal areas, island regions, which of course includes Cyprus”.
Referring to aquaculture in general, which includes fish farming, Kadis noted that its development in Europe is “very high on the list of priorities” as “it will reduce the pressure on natural fish stocks”, but also because at a time when “only 30% of our needs are covered by domestic products”, “aquaculture contributes only 10%”.
“I think that in Cyprus we have overcome this also because of the high quality of the products,” he noted. “One of the first actions we will promote in 2025 is a pan-European campaign on the importance and value and quality of aquaculture products in Europe,” he added.
Responding to a question in relation to EU media coverage about the Pentakomo waste processing plan, as well as infringement proceedings against Cyprus for the management of protected areas of the Natura 2000 network, as well as in relation to how he, as Commissioner, can contribute to Cyprus’ compliance, Kadis noted that “I would not like to comment, also in my new capacity. on the actions of the government of any state in an area that is not directly relevant to my own”.
However, he added, he believes that during his term as Minister for the Environment “perhaps the greatest progress was made since the period of the creation of the Natura 2000 network in Cyprus”.
Kadis also outlined his responsibilities regarding EU ocean policy, answering a question on the targets for marine biodiversity and how it affects Cyprus, as well as marine activities such as energy projects and drilling.
“The oceans, the seas in general, have been increasing in importance in the global political arena in recent years, and this has to do with the role of the oceans as a source of food, as a place for the movement of goods, ports, shipyards, sites for the installation of renewable energy infrastructure, countries linked to tourism and services,” Kadis noted.
The main objective of the Commission’s policy, he continued, is to bring all these policies “under the same umbrella”, which will be done “through the Ocean Pact which we hope to announce by the summer”. Consultations are ongoing with ministers, sector representatives and non-governmental organisations he noted.
Different activities are planned in accordance with the EU’s Marine Spatial Planning Directive, something with which “so far the vast majority of member states have harmonised, including Cyprus”.
Asked how environmental sustainability is ensured and the marine environment is protected from energy and drilling-related plans, Kadis noted that it is taken into account, although “this activity is regulated by other legislation”.
