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. Please see the full program with speakers below.
Registration
Conference registration is now open!
Please note that all participants must register for the conference individually. The conference registration closes 26 October 2025.
The space is limited to 90 participants and the program will not be streamed or recorded. This ensures a true chance for networking and interactive participation in the conference program.
The conference is free for participants. The conference doesn’t cover participants’ travel or accommodation costs. Read more about the practical information below.
Conference program
4/11/2025 09:00 - 16:10 (Europe/Helsinki +03:00)
Conference start
Welcome words (Sari Essayah, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry)
EU targets and roadmap
Keynote: Towards the EU Roadmap for EU Fisheries and aquaculture (Sven Langedijk, Head of Unit, DG MARE)
Session 1: Moving towards net zero emissions target
Keynote: How a joint vision can guide technological development and energy transitions of the fishing fleet (Hanna Varvne, Researcher, RISE)
Perspective: Decarbonisation of the EU fishing fleet – how positive incentives can drive green transition (Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, CEO, The Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation)
Innovation pitches: new solutions to improve energy efficiency (preselected presenters)
Panel discussion: Can decarbonization in fisheries be achieved by 2050? (panelists)
Lunch break
Presenting the Conference Declaration process (Orian Bondestam, Ministerial Adviser, Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
Session 2: Fleet policy and fisheries management
Keynote: Healthy fish stocks and good fisheries management as key enabler for green transition (Sæmundur Elíasson, Project Manager, Matis & the University of Akureyri)
Keynote: Agreement on the future of capture fisheries and its energy transition in Denmark (Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries - TBC)
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on energy adaptation of fisheries management (panelists)
Coffee break
Session 3: Financing the capture fisheries to achieve energy transition
Keynote: Financing the energy transition in capture fisheries (TBC)
Perspective: Implementing the energy transition in Norway (Merete Knain, Senior Advisor, Enova)
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on financial incentives and “sticks” for the energy transition (panelists)
Conference dinner (19:00-22:00)
5/11/2025 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Helsinki +03:00)
Session 4: Pathways to cooperation
Keynote: Ports: Cooperating for the energy transition (Gerardo Gonzáles, Head of the Department of Works and Blue Economy, Port of Vigo)
Keynote: Powering the maritime industries, what are the future solutions? (Jens Karlsson, Team Leader, Wärtsilä Marine)
Presentation: Energy Transition Partnership, tackling technical, financial, and regulatory barriers (Jules Danto, ETP Support Group Coordinator)
Panel discussion: Brainstorming on future solutions and networking for enhancing the transition (panelists)
Break
Session 5: Winner of the pitching competition and the Joint Declaration
Announcing the winner of the pitching competition for enhancing the energy transition
Presentation and discussion on Conference Declaration (Orian Bondestam, Ministerial Adviser, Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
Conference wrap-up
Lunch
Energy Transition in Fisheries Innovations 2025
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 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.
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.
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)
