PECH committee approves deal on new EU fishing control rules
Fisheries MEPs backed the results of the negotiation with the Council regarding the overhaul of EU fisheries control rules, to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The preliminary agreement on new EU fisheries control rules was approved with 20 votes in favour and 8 against in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee on Tuesday.
The agreement foresees an obligation for masters to report catches via electronic logbook regardless the size of the boat. In case of boats with less than 12 meters, this report should be more simple through the use of a new tool and by reporting only once at the end of the fishing day, says the text. Processed products will also be traceable along the food chain after five years, on the basis of a study carried by the Commission.
To guarantee respect for the so-called landing obligation, EU vessels of 18 meters or more that may pose a high risk of non-compliance will have to have on-board remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems, including closed-circuit television (CCTV). This should be put in place four years after the entry into force.
More details on the outcome of the negotiations between EP and Council is available here.
Quote
“Today we are one step closer to the digitalisation of the fisheries sector and full traceability of fishery and aquaculture products. This regulation provides new tools and more flexibility that will make work easier for fishers, fully respecting the sustainability of marine resources. It was not easy and it took us time, but the result is that we have reached a balanced agreement and the best possible regulation”, said the rapporteur Clara Aguilera (S&D, ES).
Next steps
The draft rules will have to be approved by the Full House in one of the plenary sessions in Strasbourg after the summer recess.
Background
The European Commission proposed a revision of the fisheries control system on 30 May 2018. The aim was to modernise and simplify the rules for monitoring fisheries activities and ensuring compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Contacts:
-
Raquel Ramalho LOPES
Press officer