The Market Advisory Council (MAC) has confirmed its leadership and governance structure for the 2026–2029 mandate, reappointing key figures across its chairmanship, vice-chairs, working groups and executive committee.
At a meeting held on 5 February 2026, MAC members unanimously reappointed Yobana Bermúdez as chair. Bermúdez, who was nominated by Seafood Europe, brings more than two decades of experience in the food sector and currently serves as general director of Conxemar, the Spanish association representing wholesalers, importers, manufacturers and exporters of fishery and aquaculture products.
“I am very grateful for the confidence expressed by the MAC membership in reappointing me as Chair,” Bermúdez said. “Over the past three years, it has been a pleasure to work with representatives from across the entire fisheries and aquaculture supply chain, as well as other interest groups from across the EU. In this second mandate, with more experience and lessons learnt, I am confident that the MAC will continue to deliver high-quality, consensual advice to the European Commission and Member States, supporting a resilient and sustainable EU market.”
Christine Absil was also reappointed as vice-chair representing the other interest groups within the MAC. Absil, proposed by the Dutch NGO Good Fish Foundation, has worked extensively on sustainable fisheries management and market transformation, including the development of the Good Fish Guide aimed at improving consumer awareness of seafood sustainability. She currently works as an independent consultant.
Representing the sector membership, Julien Lamothe was reappointed vice-chair, following his nomination by the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO). Lamothe also continues as chair of Working Group 1 on EU production. He is currently director at FROM Sud-Ouest and secretary general of ANOP, the French national association of producer organisations, and has held a number of senior roles within the French fishing industry.
Several working group chairs were confirmed for the new term. Stefan Meyer, nominated by Seafood Europe, was appointed chair of Working Group 2 on EU markets. Meyer has a background in scientific research and aquaculture project management and has served as general manager of the German Association of Fish Processing and Wholesale since 2023.
Benoît Thomassen, proposed by the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), was reappointed chair of Working Group 3, covering EU control and sanitary issues and consumer rules. Thomassen works in data acquisition and animal health modelling, teaches aquaculture business, and acts as a freelance consultant on aquaculture and caviar.
In line with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, the MAC’s executive committee is composed of representatives designated by both sector organisations and other interest groups.
The Market Advisory Council was established under Article 43 of the CFP Regulation to provide advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on markets for fishery and aquaculture products. It currently comprises 75 organisations spanning the full value chain — from primary producers and processors to traders, retailers and trade unions — alongside environmental, development and consumer groups. The MAC is co-funded by the European Union.
