Prior to signing the Code, the content of the Code and the subsequent commitment was first discussed during a meeting of the EAPO Executive Committee in July 2021. In order to disclose EAPO’s pledge to both members and interested parties, the corresponding letter was published on the EAPO-website (EAPO21-29 Pledge EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices). New members organisations of the association are made aware of this Code and the endorsement letter from EAPO is circulated to them. This topic has also been addressed and discussed with EAPO members at numerous occasions such as the EAPO annual General Assemblies and the Members Meetings.

EAPO-members are encouraged to circulate the information regarding the objectives of the Code amongst their individual fishing companies. By doing so, they are provided with the necessary tools to align their sustainability actions to the aspirational objectives and targets of the Code, should they wish to do so.

EAPO’s work programme, traditionally presented at the Association’s annual General Meeting, clearly reflects the fishing industry’s focus on sustainability. More specifically, EAPO is engaged through several initiatives developing sector-specific tools and resources in support of the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices.

For instance, and in line with the objective n° 3 of the CoC - A climate neutral food chain in Europe by 2050; Reducing net emissions from own operations – the association was appointed by the European Commission (EC) in 2024 to take the lead as support group coordinator of the working group on Large-Scale Fisheries (LSF) of the Energy Transition Partnership for EU fisheries and aquaculture (ETP), in order to provide recommendations for a dedicated EU roadmap as unveiled in early 2026.

As industry stakeholder in an EU funded research project on finding realistic, durable, and effective solutions to mitigate bycatch of protected species or undersized fish, we committed to lead practical demonstration work. This project is directly corresponding to the objective n° 2 of the CoC - Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste; Minimising waste and reducing losses in operations and across value chains.

We also participated in shaping the European Ocean Pact and are continuing to fully provide advices as part of our annual work program to develop a comprehensive vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture, in the same vein as the EU vision for agriculture and food.

Moreover, EAPO is a member of the Market Advisory Council (MAC) and thus has contributed to several MAC-advices that address matters relevant for the market of fishery and aquaculture products; topics closely linked to the targets set out in the Code.

Finally, EAPO is a member of the EU’s Agri-Food Chain Observatory, an initiative to improve transparency in the agri-food supply chain by analysing prices, costs, and the distribution of margins and added value, all while respecting confidentiality and competition rules.

As a representative for the European fishing industry, EAPO is a member of the Market Advisory Council (MAC), one of the advisory entities listed in the Common Fisheries Policy, producing advice to the Commission amongst other related to responsible food business and marketing practices of fisheries and aquaculture products. The MAC brings together representatives of the entire seafood value chain (primary producers, processors, traders, suppliers, retailers, trade unions) and other interest groups (environmental and development NGOs).

In this respect EAPO closely follows the STECF’s Expert working group on sustainability indicators for fishery products. Each year, we are also providing suggestions for the work programme of the European Market Observatory for fisheries and aquaculture products (EUMOFA).

In the context of the vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the sector, we are calling, together with several European fisheries and aquaculture organisation, for an EU Action Plan for Blue Foods. In this context, EAPO took part in the event "Blue Foods for a Sustainable Future: Launching the Call for an EU Action Plan" at the Europe Parliament in September 2025. The aim was to outline key actions the European Commission should take, in order to position blue foods at the heart of the European Ocean Pact and sustainable food systems’ transformation, corresponding to the different aspirational objectives of the Code.