The European Union fisheries con ntrol system DG MARE - EUROPEAN COMMISSION Explanatory meeting Serbia 30 September 2014
A global EU fisheries control system The EU fisheries control system is composed of 3 complementary pillars: Regulation (EC) N 1224/2009 establishing an EU control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (entry into force: 01.01.2010) plus implementation Regulation (EU) N 404/2011 (entry into force: 07.05.2011) Regulation (EC) N 1005/2008 establishing an EU control system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing (entry into force: 01.01.2010) Regulation (EC) N 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of EU fishing vessels outside EU waters and the access of third country vessels to EU waters (entry into force: 19.10.2009)
Who does what in the EU fisheriess control system? Member States are responsible for control of: Activities within the scope of the Common Fisheries Policy on their territory and within their maritime waters Vessels flying their flag ncluding outside EU waters Their nationals (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities - IUU) European Commission: Formulates policy (CFP) and verifies its implementationn by Member States European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA): Assists Member States and European Commission
Objectives of the EU fisheries control system Ensure effective enforcement of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) rules Prevent illegal fishing activities (IUU) Develop a culture of compliance and cooperation between stakeholders Ensure truly sustainable fisheries
Scope The Control Regulation applies to all activities covered by the EU Common Fisheries Policy carri ied out : - on the territory of EU-Member States - in EU waters - by EU fishing vessels - by nationals of EU-Member States
Principles of the EU fisheries control system Simple and modern control rules Global, integrated and common approach <from net to plate> Ensure a level playing field Based on risk management strategy Cost-efficiency and proportionality <new technologies for less costs and more results > Effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions
General measures control of the EU fisheries system Conditions of access to waters and resources Control of fisheries and of the fleet Traceability of fisheries and aquaculture products Monitoring of marketing Surveillance, inspection and proceedings Infringements and sanctions Evaluation and control by the Commission Measures to ensure compliance by MS with CFP rules Data and information systems
Ensuring Member States' compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy rules Mechanisms and procedures allowing the Commission to better ensure enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy by Member States: - Verifications (announced or not) - Autonomous inspectionss - Audits
Ensuring Member States' compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy rules If irregularities occurred Commission can launch: - an administrative inquiry in a Member State, - an action plan if the inquiry fails to solve the issue the In case of non-compliance with Common Fishery Policy rules by a Member State, EU financial assistance (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund) may be interrupted, suspended or cancelled (general principle of conditionality)
A new forum on implementation and compliance (new CFP policy) Established by the Commission Composed of the Commission and Member States + European Parliament (upon request) + European Fisheries Control Agency (as an observer) Objectives: assess, facilitate, and strengthen the implementation of, and compliance with, the obligations under the EU fisheries control system Main tasks: regular review of compliance issues and difficulties in implementation, advice, exchange of information (including on IUU) and priorities in financing
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