The European Association of Fishermen in the Black Sea

The European Association of Fishermen in the Black Sea, established in 2016, represents 103 small-scale commercial fishers from Romania and Bulgaria, operating across the Black Sea, the Danube, and various inland waters. Using diverse gear such as hooks & lines, traps, and gillnets, their boats—up to 12 meters—target a wide range of species including mullet, anchovy, turbot, and bonito. As members of both the Black Sea Advisory Council and Bulgaria’s National Fishers Net, they are actively engaged in shaping fisheries policy at national and EU levels.

Their key challenges include generational renewal, economic sustainability, and greater representation for women and youth. The association is committed to strengthening ties with tourism, promoting local catches, and building trust between fishers and institutions.