Cypriot politician Costas Kadis has been appointed as the EU's new commissioner for fisheries and oceans by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. 

During a press conference in Brussels on Sept. 17, von der Leyen revealed the roles of all 26 commissioner nominees. "Every member of my team will bring in their own experience and perspectives on Europe. Together, we will be one team, working towards one common goal: to make Europe stronger," she stated, Kibrispostasi reported.

Kadis' portfolio primarily focuses on fisheries and oceans, a more specialized role compared to his predecessor, Virginijus Sinkevicius, who also handled the environment brief. 

European fishing trade body Europeche "warmly" welcomed the Kadis' nomination.

"Europeche is eager to work closely with Kadis to ensure the industry remains sustainable, competitive, and resilient. Europeche is particularly keen to collaborate on ensuring a level playing field for the entire fisheries chain, safeguarding EU's food sovereignty and providing vital support to coastal communities across the Union," it said.

"It is our hope that Kadis will restore the balance between biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and food security -- an equilibrium that was regrettably lacking in the previous legislative term. With his extensive experience in nature, agriculture, and fisheries, we believe he is well-equipped to address the realities faced by our sector and coastal communities," said Javier Garat, Europeche's president.
 
Europeche also welcomed the mandate given to the executive vice-president-designate for cohesion and reforms. He will be tasked with helping to ensure that fisheries becomes more resilient, sustainable and competitive in the global market. "It represents a significant step toward elevating fisheries and food production on the Commission's agenda, as advocated by the sector, with a dedicated focus at the Vice-Presidency level," Europeche said.
 
"In this context, as outlined in the mandate for the commissioner-designate for agriculture and food, we need a fisheries commissioner who will work closely with fellow college members to develop a cohesive "vision for food," promote trade reciprocity and advance a strategy for generational renewal within the sector," Europeche added.

"While the new college of commissioners is expected to take office by Dec. 1, this meeting will ensure that pressing fisheries issues continue to receive the political attention they deserve. Europeche remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue and close collaboration with the EU executive to safeguard the future of the fishing sector," said Daniel Voces, Europeche's managing director.
 
As the industry faces a variety of critical challenges, Europeche said it is eager to discuss the following high-priority issues:

• High-level dialogue on fisheries management and ocean-related cooperation with Norway: establishing a sustainable partnership and trade arrangements to protect shared resources and the interests of the EU fleet.
• The EU position for the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) annual meeting in 2024 is to create a level playing field for the European fleet, fight IUU fishing to protect EU consumers and ensure decisions are based upon the best available science.
• Fishing opportunities for 2025: securing sustainable and fair quota allocations in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean seas to safeguard both natural resources and the future of the European fishing sector.