Fisheries control : Commission simplifies and harmonises rules in the EU

The Commission has adopted detailed rules on fisheries control and enforcement, with the aim to harmonise procedures, simplify and reduce administrative burden for EU countries and operators. Fisheries control seeks to prevent overfishing and ensure fairness among fleets. The new rules will modernise the way fishing activities are controlled, for EU vessels and those fishing in EU waters and foster consistent enforcement across the EU. The preparation of these rules was done in close cooperation with Member States, and included feedback from fishers, industry representatives, regional authorities, and NGOs.

Details of the new rules

The two legislative acts detailing these rules implement several new features introduced by the revision of the Fisheries Control Regulation which entered into force in January 2024.

For example, they harmonise and simplify rules on:

• Format and data exchange: this concerns the frequency of transmission, and the data required, with lighter requirements for small-scale vessels. In addition, the progressive implementation of a fully digitalised recording and reporting system of catches simplifies the work of control authorities and operators, providing real-time information to better manage stock and control fishing activities.
•  Vessel tracking: the rules define technical requirements for vessel monitoring devices, the frequency of transmission, and the content of vessel position data. This introduces more flexibility to ship masters in case of technical failures or when the devices are not functioning.
• Inspection protocols and digital inspection reports: procedures for inspectors and operators are streamlined, with a common template allowing faster reporting and easier data validation and cross-checking between Member States.
• National registration of penalty points for masters: this promotes a level playing field across the EU for serious infringements of the common fisheries policy.
• The marking of fishing gears: the rules provide flexibility for certain labels requirements, and specifically for vessels below 15 metres operating close to the shore with passive gears. A label is an identifier of the gear that relates it to the vessel.