Europêche, the leading representative body for the fishing industry in the European Union, has announced the addition of the Lithuanian Long Distance Fisheries Association to its membership. At its General Assembly, Europêche members unanimously endorsed and welcomed the new Baltic member. This addition constitutes a great step forward in strengthening the voice of European fisheries.

The Lithuanian Long Distance Fisheries Association, the largest fishery organization in the country, represents a wide array of fisheries and fishing companies. Its focus includes northern shrimp, Atlantic cod, Greenland halibut, redfish, Chilean jack mackerel, and other pelagic species. The association is committed to advancing sustainable fishing practices through innovation, enhancing safety at sea, improving traceability, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Aivaras Labanauskas, Director of the Lithuanian Long Distance Fisheries Association, expressed his optimism about the new partnership: “We are excited to collaborate with fellow European fishing organizations within Europêche to promote sustainable fishing rules and ensure the long-term viability of our industry. Their membership in Europêche will not only enhance our association's ability to advocate for the interests of Lithuanian fishers but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development and environmental stewardship across Europe's fishing sectors. As an industry, we are facing many common challenges, and only by working together can we overcome them.”

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche, welcomed the new member: “The Lithuanian Long Distance Fisheries Association represents a dynamic and vital segment of Lithuania's fishing industry. We are delighted to welcome them to Europêche’s family. The new Baltic association brings a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in long-distance fisheries, which will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for the interests of the European fishing industry at both the EU and international levels.”