The Annual Technical Meeting of the Regional Coordination Group on Economic Issues (RCG ECON) took place from 12 to 15 May 2025 in Vigo, Spain. The event was hosted by CETMAR and co-chaired by Eirini Tzouramani (GRC) and Adelbert De Clercq (BEL).
This hybrid meeting brought together 62 participants (30 in person and 32 online) representing 21 EU Member States, the European Commission (DG MARE and JRC), and key institutions involved in the implementation of the Data Collection Framework (DCF). Attendees included national correspondents, RCG experts, ISSG chairs, as well as representatives from research institutes and national authorities.
The agenda addressed a broad range of issues relevant to the regional coordination of socio-economic data collection under the DCF. The main sessions included:
- Feedback from the European Commission.
- Feedback from STECF Expert Working Groups on economic and social data.
- RDBFIS II: development of a socioeconomic data module for the Mediterranean and Black Seas regional database.
- Update on the development of the SECWEB 2.0 digital coordination tools.
- Feedback on the implementation of the 2025–2027 Regional Work Plan.
- Methodological discussions on capital valuation, energy transition in EU fisheries and aquaculture, and the classification of low active and active vessels.
- Exchange on cooperation between RCG ECON and ICES WGECON.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to enhance regional coordination and to improve the quality, harmonisation and accessibility of economic data across the EU.
As part of the programme, participants had the opportunity to visit the Port of Vigo, one of the most important fishing ports in Europe. The guided tour provided valuable insights into port operations and infrastructure, illustrating the economic relevance of the fishing sector at regional level.
A comprehensive summary of the discussions and decisions will be available in the upcoming RCG ECON Technical Meeting Report. For more information, please visit the RCG ECON section.
