The European Council has formally adopted updated regulations aimed at curbing non-sustainable fishing practices carried out by non-EU countries, particularly those affecting fish stocks of shared interest.
The move is designed to protect the long-term sustainability of these stocks while ensuring fair competition and safeguarding the interests of EU fishers.
The revised rules offer clearer criteria for identifying non-EU countries that allow or support harmful fishing practices, helping to ensure that non-EU countries better understand those actions which could result in penalties, such as import bans or trade restrictions on fish and fishery products.
A key aspect of the update is a more precise definition of what constitutes a ‘failure to cooperate’ which is accompanied by a detailed list of non-cooperative behaviours.
The regulation also strengthens the EU’s cooperation framework with non-EU countries, encouraging engagement before and after any enforcement measures are considered. This includes bilateral and multilateral engagement to promote sustainable practices and resolve issues diplomatically.
Under the new rules, non-EU countries identified as potentially non-cooperative will have 90 days to respond to a formal notification from the European Commission before any actions are finalised.
The amended regulation will officially enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU’s official journal.
