EU seeks input from fisheries and aquaculture professionals on simplification by 31 October

The European Commission is inviting professionals in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to complete a 15-minute online survey on the administrative, reporting and compliance requirements they face in their daily work.

The survey, available in all EU languages, is for professionals across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain, including fishers, aquaculture producers, first buyers, processors, wholesalers and retailers. 

It aims to identify unnecessary, duplicative or overly burdensome requirements that could be simplified.

How to participate

Complete the survey by Saturday 31 October 2026 at 23:59 (CEST).

Why this survey matters

The survey supports the European Commission’s efforts to reduce reporting burdens and simplify EU legislation as part of its competitiveness agenda. It follows the launch, in January 2026, of the study ‘Services Supporting DG MARE Simplification Activities’, which examines how the common fisheries policy (CFP) rules are applied and where simplification is possible.

What the survey asks

The questionnaire is tailored to different parts of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain. After a few general questions (e.g. business size, location, role in the value chain), respondents are asked to assess:

• Which specific obligations apply to them (e.g., licences, logbooks, inspections, traceability, food safety, environmental reporting). 
• How costly and difficult these requirements are to meet (rated on a 1–5 scale). 
• Whether they have had to report the same data multiple times or seek external help to comply. 
• How much time they spend on administrative tasks and inspections.

Participants can also suggest which rules should be simplified and how.

Data protection

The survey is fully anonymous. It does not collect names, email addresses, IP addresses or other identifying information. Responses will be used only to inform simplification efforts and will be deleted after 18 months.

At the end, participants may voluntarily provide contact details if they wish to be considered for a follow-up interview.

Questions?

The survey is being conducted by Deloitte, contractor of the European Commission for this study. For inquiries, please contact ademeterdeloitte [dot] nl (Alexander K. Demeter) (study coordinator), or aanokhinmulticulturalinsights [dot] net (Alexander Anokhin) (survey coordinator).