Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) is a nonprofit umbrella organization established in 2014 and based in Brussels, Belgium. It represents and supports small-scale fishers who use low-impact fishing methods across Europe. LIFE aims to give a clear and coherent voice at the EU level to this previously underrepresented majority of fishers, advocating for fair fisheries, healthy seas, and vibrant coastal communities. The organization promotes sustainable fishing practices that minimize environmental damage, contribute to social justice, and support economic viability in line with the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
LIFE’s work focuses on influencing EU fisheries policies to ensure the transition to a low-carbon, low-impact fishing industry. It actively engages with EU institutions to promote the implementation of Article 17 of the CFP, which calls for the allocation of fishing quotas based on transparent environmental, social, and economic criteria. LIFE campaigns against the concentration of fishing opportunities in the hands of large industrial fleets, advocating instead for fairer quota distribution that favors small-scale fishers who use selective gear and cause less seabed and carbon cycle impact. The organization also collaborates on research and reports, such as the 2021 report “How the EU can Transition to Low Environmental Impact, Low Carbon, Socially Just Fishing,” which outlines criteria for a just transition to sustainable fisheries.
LIFE participates in EU expert groups and public consultations, contributing the perspective of small-scale fishers to the evaluation and development of fisheries policies. It networks with environmental NGOs like WWF and Our Fish Campaign to promote ecosystem-based fisheries management and the development of tools to assess and reduce fisheries’ environmental impacts. LIFE’s advocacy includes pushing for better support for small-scale fishers to organize into Producer Organizations and for EU policies that recognize the distinct needs and contributions of low-impact fisheries.
By providing representation, policy input, and research collaboration, LIFE seeks to ensure that EU fisheries governance supports the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems while securing livelihoods and vibrant communities dependent on small-scale fishing.
