The Conference on Energy Transition in Fisheries brings together Northern European stakeholders to define concrete actions for a decarbonization of the fisheries sector.
The conference on Energy Transition in Fisheries – From Visions to Actions takes place on 4-5 November 2025 at Musiikkitalo in Helsinki, Finland. The conference is organised in collaboration by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The conference will bring together stakeholders such as industry leaders, researchers, experts, technology providers, environmental organisations and policymakers to share innovations, align policies and co-develop solutions. The conference hosts a pitching competition on recent innovations in energy efficiency and decarbonization in the fisheries sector, and the winner will be decided and announced during the conference. The conference will culminate in a Joint Declaration, outlining concrete steps for the green energy transition in the Northen European fisheries sector.
Background
The Northen European fisheries sector plays a pivotal role in the sustainable development of the region’s economy, environment, and communities. However, the sector continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels, making it vulnerable to fluctuating energy prices and challenged by national and European commitments to green energy transition. There is an urgent need for actionable solutions and collaborative actions both in the political and practical sphere. By facilitating fruitful collaboration and sharing of actionable commitments along with fresh innovations to increase energy efficiency in the fisheries sector, the conference seeks to respond to this need.
Conference topics
The conference topics range from EU targets and roadmap for energy transition, the path of moving towards net zero emissions target, fleet policy and fisheries management, requirements for gearing the fisheries policy to achieve energy transition, to strengthening cooperation in the Northern European fisheries sector. The full program, together with speakers, will be published in August 2025.
Registration
Conference registration will open in August 2025. Registration link will be provided here.
Call for innovation pitches
We invite companies, research organisations or any other entity developing concrete solutions to advance the energy transition and energy efficiency in fisheries to enter a pitching competition for innovations enhancing energy efficiency in the fisheries sector!
You can apply through an online form to present a 3-5 minutes pitch to the conference audience on your innovative solution. The application form will be open in early July 2025 and link provided here, together with selection criteria. The application form will remain open until mid-September.
The winner will be announced at the conference and will receive both visibility amongst key stakeholders in the Northen European fisheries sector and prize money.
Why attend?
The conference offers a unique space for knowledge sharing, peer-learning, inspiration, innovation and regional collaboration in the pivotal sector of Northen European fisheries by gathering key stakeholders at the same venue. Keynote speakers include leading professionals from key stakeholder organisations. The full list of speakers will be published together with the full program in August 2025.
Who should attend?
The conference offers a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, administration personnel, researchers, experts and technology providers working in Northen European fisheries sector to come together to collaboratively shape the future of the sector. Join us to take part in impactful discussions and learn innovative practices!
Our mission
Carbon-neutral Northen European fisheries. By facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue and actionable commitments, the conference catalyzes the energy transition in Northen European fisheries, contributing to a sustainable and competitive future for the region. The conference addresses the priorities of the Nordic Co-operation Programme for Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry 2025-2030, From Land and Sea to Table: Together for a Sustainable and Competitive Nordic Region.
Joint Declaration
The conference will result in a Joint Declaration for energy transition in Northen European fisheries. The declaration will be finetuned based on the outcomes of the conference and presented at the end of the conference. The Joint Declaration will outline actionable commitments for the Northen European fisheries sector to both improve energy efficiency and impactfully advance decarbonization. Signed by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Joint Declaration from the conference will remain available for future referencing by conference participants and others working in the context of energy transition in fisheries.
Conference program
The full conference program, together with speakers, will be published in August 2025.
4/11/2025 09:00 - 16:10 (Europe/Helsinki +03:00)
Conference start
Welcome words
Keynote: Towards the EU Roadmap for EU Fisheries and aquaculture
Session 1: Moving towards net zero emissions target
Keynote: Opportunities, weaknesses and short- and long-term solutions of different technologies in different fishing fleet segments
Keynote: Decarbonisation of the EU fishing fleet – how positive incentives can drive green transition
Innovation pitches: new solutions to improve energy efficiency
Panel discussion: Can decarbonization in fisheries be achieved by 2050?
Lunch break
Session 2: Fleet policy and fisheries management
Keynote: Healthy fish stocks and good fisheries management as key enabler for green transition
Keynote: Applying TFC’s and managing fleet capacity
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on energy adaptation of fisheries management
Coffee break
Session 3: Gearing the fisheries policy to achieve energy transition
Keynote: Are EU/national fisheries policies in line with the objective of energy transition?
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on identification of legislative barriers, incentives and “sticks” for transition
Conference dinner (19:00-22:00)
5/11/2025 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Helsinki +03:00)
Session 4: Opportunities of and pathways to cooperation
Keynote: Strengthening cooperation in the Northern European fisheries sector
Presentations
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on networking for enhancing the transition
Break
Session 5: Conference conclusions and the Joint Declaration
Conclusions of main stakeholders
Announcing the winner of the pitching competition for enhancing the energy transition
Presenting and finalising the Conference Declaration
Lunch
Practical information
Venue
Musiikkitalo is an impressive concert and event venue in a prime location in central Helsinki, opposite Eduskunta, the Finnish Parliament. On its other side is situated the famous Oodi, Helsinki Central Library. Musiikkitalo is easy to reach by walking or public transportation, and is less than an hour’s trip from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport by train. Picture on the right photographed by David Jakob.
Address: Mannerheimintie 13a, 00100 Helsinki
How to get to Musiikkitalo, Helsinki
Helsinki Airport is located 19 km from the centre of the city. The transport time to the city centre is 25 minutes with a direct train connection (departs every 10 minutes). There is a regular airport bus running every 20 minutes between the airport and the city centre, and several local buses are also available. There are also ferry services from Estonia, Sweden, Germany and Poland to Helsinki. Helsinki is also easily reached by train within Finland (check VR for train connections).
Helsinki is practically a walking city. It is compact and easy to navigate on foot. Additionally, Helsinki has a well working public transport system consisting of bus, tram, metro, local railway and ferry services. The public transport is considered very safe and is praised by users. Musiikkitalo is easiest reached by foot or by trams 3, 4 or 10 by stopping at the Kansallismuseo stop.
Accommodation
We offer conference participants a discount code for hotel rooms at Scandic hotels in Helsinki. By accessing the link below or using the code CGRO, you can choose your preferred room type.
The rooms are available according to the reservation situation of the hotel, so please reserve your accommodation early.
Access discounted price here: reserve accommodation
Cancellation terms depend on the reservation type you choose. To secure the reservation, you will need to provide valid credit card information. If you are a member of Scandic Friends, remember to check available discounts for Scandic Friends.
Contact information
Pia Smeds, pia.smeds@luke.fi / Orian Bondestam, Orian.Bondestam@gov.fi (conference content)
Venla Sunikka, venla.sunikka@luke.fi (practical organisation)
