Decarbonising the fishing sector: Energy efficiency measures and alternative energy solutions for fishing vessels

The fishing sector is facing major challenges in the accelerating energy crisis due to its high dependency on a stable supply of fossil fuels at a low price. This report summarises scientific and grey literature, projects and input from expert interviews to provide an overview of drivers of energy use, and identify potential reduction measures and opportunities for using alternative fuels in fisheries. Each measure is evaluated in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction potential, costs, challenges, and policy options that could facilitate implementation. A timeline lists measures that could be implemented in the short and long term.
 

The study finds that considerable fuel use reduction can be achieved from fully implementing existing EU regulations (for instance, by rebuilding stocks and allocating fishing opportunities in accordance with Article 17 of the Basic Regulation on the common fisheries policy). To this end, fuel use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions need to be integrated as an explicit goal of fisheries management, and monitored on the basis of robust data collection.
 

The introduction of alternative fuels will require major investment in new infrastructure as well as regulatory changes in the short term, but lead to major gains in the long term, with regard to both costs and emissions. It is however important to optimise the choice of fuel and technology for the operational profile of each vessel. In the transition, it is crucial that economic policy instruments, such as taxes, fees and emission quotas, are used wisely to incentivise transition. A ban of fossil fuel use in fisheries by 2050 would give clear incentives and pave the way for the transition – but needs to be accompanied by well-designed funding opportunities for green investments and compensatory measures to minimise the rise in short-term costs. Overall, a systems perspective is needed to achieve an energy-efficient, decarbonised fishing sector, without this causing other environmental impacts.