FEAP MEMBERS – FEAP

EU aquaculture left behind: FEAP condemns structural bias in Commission’s CFP evaluation

FEAP — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:31:41 +0000

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) issues a stark warning over the European Commission’s evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation 1380/2013, published on 30 April 2026. While welcoming the Commission’s effort to assess the past decade, FEAP concludes that the evaluation is structurally biased against aquaculture, fails to draw necessary conclusions from clear evidence of stagnation, and offers no credible foundation for the upcoming 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

View the FEAP Position Paper

Read the Press Release

FEAP–GFCM Technical Consultation reinforces the strategic role of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

FEAP — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:11:04 +0000

On February 11 & 12, 2026 more than 70 participants in person and around 50 online gathered in Athens for the FEAP–GFCM Technical Consultation on Sustainable Aquaculture Practices, highlighting the importance of structured producer engagement in regional aquaculture governance. The two-day event was jointly organised by the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, with financial support from the European Union, and in collaboration with our member association HAPO.

Press Release, Workshop Agenda and presentations available here

Our 2025 Annual Report is out!

FEAP — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:39:21 +0000

As 2025 draws to an end, FEAP is proud to release and share its 2025 Annual Report which will drive you through the highlights of our Federation’s life, events and projects.

This year has again been rich in landmark moments, achievements, innovative actions and emotions.
With this report, you will explore how we have once again continuously defended our dedication towards European fish farmers, how we took action to promote generational renewal and the work of young fish farmers and aquaculture professionals, how FEAP successfully teamed up with other European partners in initiatives and projects to push forward the resilience and development of European aquaculture… and so much more.

First FEAP-Laschinger NextGen Award delivered

FEAP — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:11:17 +0000

The FEAP-Laschinger NextGen Award recognises exceptional entrepreneurship, business leadership, and innovation among young professionals in European aquaculture. Established jointly with Mr. Rudolf Laschinger, the award celebrates individuals who demonstrate initiative, resilience, and dedication to advancing aquaculture production.

In 2025, this first edition awarded Mr Josef Stier’s, a young aquaculture producer who developed a modern indoor fish farm in Bärnau, Germany. His innovative, holistic production concept is a prime example of sustainable and responsible food production and deserves recognition through the FEAP–Laschinger NextGen Award.

Read the Press Release

Bernhard Feneis, VDBA President – Josef Stier, 2025 NextGen Award

Lara Barazi, FEAP President – Josef Stier, 2025 NextGen Award – Lauri Laschinger – Ulrike Müller

FEAP calls for accurate seafood labelling to protect consumer trust and European aquaculture

FEAP — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:11:47 +0000

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) draws attention to a growing concern in international seafood markets regarding the mislabelling of fish species, particularly the use of the generic term seabass for products that are not European seabass but seek to benefit from the latter’s established reputation and market value. Recent market observations (see picture) have revealed that barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a fish species captured and farmed in the Indo-Pacific region, is often marketed simply as seabass in several Asian and Middle East countries. Read more

The first FEAP-LASCHINGER NextGen Award to be delivered in Munich this November

FEAP — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:06:50 +0000

The FEAP–Laschinger NextGen Award aims to recognise and celebrate young professionals in European aquaculture who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship, leadership, and commitment to sustainable production. Established under the FEAP NextGen initiative, the award highlights individuals who have successfully overcome challenges and driven innovation within the sector. By acknowledging their achievements and connecting them with peers and national aquaculture associations across Europe, the initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of producers and strengthen the visibility and dynamism of Europe’s aquaculture community.

Read the Press Release

Tribute to John Stephanis, a leading figure in European aquaculture

FEAP — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:09:36 +0000

From left to right: Javier Ojeda, Gustavo Larrazabal, Lara Barazi, John Stephanis (2025 FEAP Award), Marco Gilmozzi, Sinan Kızıltan

In Memoriam: John Stephanis

The Management Committee, the members, and staff of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) are profoundly saddened by the passing of John Stephanis last week.

As a former FEAP President (2003-2010) and a key founder of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP), John was a visionary leader whose contributions significantly shaped the growth and innovation of European aquaculture.

Earlier this year, in Stockholm, FEAP had the honour of awarding him the FEAP Award for Excellence in European Aquaculture, in recognition of his transformative impact on the sector. His legacy of dedication and leadership will continue to inspire all members of our community.

Read more about the presentation of the FEAP Award to Mr. John Stephanis.

New European plan proposed after the conference on “Management Advice to Reduce Cormorant Predation Impacts.”

FEAP — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:23:34 +0000

credit @ Bence Mate

A new management plan has been announced to curb cormorant impacts on fish farming stocks, wild fish populations and fisheries after the conference on “Management Advice to Reduce Cormorant Predation Impacts”, that took place in Brussels on 3 June, organised by the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC)

EU stakeholders convened to discuss how to best tackle the increasing impact of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) populations. This event brought together over 230 delegates from 35 countries, representing a diverse array of interests from research institutions, angling, fish farming, environmental policy and conservation.

The key outcome of the conference was the proposal for a framework European management plan for the great cormorant, developed by the EIFAAC in collaboration with FEAP and the European Anglers Alliance (EAA).

This adaptive plan aims to balance the conservation success of the cormorant with the need to protect wild fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishers and fish farmers. A key element of this management plan is its pan-European scope due to the migratory habits of these birds, as actions carried at local level have proven ineffective in the long run.

Read the full press release at https://www.fao.org/europe/news/detail/new-european-plan-aims-to-curb-cormorant-impacts-on-fisheries/en

FEAP 2025 Annual General Meeting & Award

FEAP — Wed, 28 May 2025 16:19:22 +0000

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) held its 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Stockholm on May 22–23, gathering aquaculture professionals, national associations, policymakers, and experts from across Europe. The event focused on key issues affecting the sector while celebrating innovation, leadership, and sustainability in European fish farming.

A highlight of the two-day event was the presentation of the FEAP Award for Excellence in European Aquaculture to Mr. John Stephanis, a prominent figure in the sector whose career has helped shape modern aquaculture across Europe. Stephanis was honoured for his decades-long contributions, from founding leadership at Selonda Aquaculture S.A. to his transformative presidency of FEAP, where he opened the organization to Mediterranean aquaculture and championed cross-border cooperation. Mr Stephanis also played a significant role in the founding of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP), contributing to the development of strategic research and innovation agendas aimed at advancing sustainable aquaculture practices in Europe.

‘Farmers of the Water’ education toolkit

FEAP — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:45:15 +0000

On January 24th 2025, in celebration of the International Day of Education, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) announced the release of the “Farmers of the Water” education toolkit.

Set into the FAO BlueTransformation program of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, this publication is designed to take teachers and students throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea on a journey to discover the aquaculture sector in their region. By working through the activities in the toolkit, students discover their power to contribute to sustainable and resilient farmed aquatic food systems.

This work is in line with the FEAP ambitions and priorities, which highly value the relevance of training young and teenage students in its actions, such as our FEAP NextGen programme, which in 2025 will initiate a series of concrete actions to boost knowledge, capacity and interconnections between young aquaculture professionals at EU level – learn more about the FEAP NextGen programme.