New Appointments at the Market Advisory Council (MAC)

Date: February 5, 2026

The Market Advisory Council (MAC) has confirmed new leadership appointments for the 2026-2029 period. The announcement came after a consensus among members who selected the Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Chairs of Working Groups, along with the Executive Committee.

Reappointment of Ms. Yobana Bermúdez

Ms. Yobana Bermúdez, endorsed by Seafood Europe, has been reappointed as Chair. With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, Ms. Bermúdez currently serves as the General Director of Conxemar, which represents various stakeholders in the fish and aquaculture sectors.

Ms. Bermúdez expressed her gratitude: “I am very grateful for the confidence expressed by the MAC membership in reappointing me as Chair. In the past three years, I had the pleasure of working with representatives from the entire fisheries and aquaculture supply chain and interest groups across the EU. In this second mandate, I am confident that our Advisory Council will continue to provide high-quality consensual advice to the European Commission and Member States, ensuring a resilient and sustainable EU market.”

Vice-Chairs Reappointed

Dr. Christine Absil, nominated by the Good Fish Foundation, has been reappointed as Vice-Chair representing Other Interest Groups. Her contribution to sustainable fisheries management includes the launch of the Good Fish Guide aimed at enhancing consumer awareness of seafood sustainability. Currently, she operates as an independent consultant.

Mr. Julien Lamothe, proposed by the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO), will continue as Vice-Chair for the sector membership and has also been reappointed as Chair of Working Group 1 (EU Production). With a wealth of experience in various roles within the French fishing industry, Mr. Lamothe is the Director at FROM Sud-Ouest and the Secretary General of ANOP.

New Leadership in Working Groups

Dr. Stefan Meyer, nominated by Seafood Europe, has been appointed as Chair of Working Group 2 (EU Markets). He brings significant research and project management expertise related to aquaculture and currently serves as the General Manager of the German Association of Fish Processing and Wholesale.

Mr. Benoît Thomassen, proposed by the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), has been reappointed as Chair of Working Group 3, focusing on EU Control and Sanitary Issues as well as Consumer Rules. He has experience in data acquisition, animal health modelling, and is also an instructor in aquaculture business education.

Executive Committee Composition

As established by the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Executive Committee comprises designated representatives from sector organizations and other interest groups, ensuring a balanced approach to advisory functions.

Conclusion

The MAC’s new appointments reflect a commitment to sustainable practices within the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, reinforcing the council’s role in guiding the European Commission and Member States.

Image Credit: MAC. From left to right: Dr. Stefan Meyer, Dr. Christine Absil, Ms. Yobana Bermúdez, Mr. Benoît Thomassen, Mr. Pedro Reis Santos (MAC Secretary General)