Fisheries ministers in the European Parliament have voted to overhaul fisheries control rules to help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The preliminary agreement on new EU fisheries control rules was approved with 20 votes in favour and eight against in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee on 27 June 2023.
“Today we are one step closer to the digitalisation of the fisheries sector and full traceability of fishery and aquaculture products,” said rapporteur Clara Aguilera (S&D, ES).
“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.”
When passed into law, catches will need to be reported electronically regardless of vessel size. Skippers of boats less than 12 metres will be able to use a new tool, reporting only once at the end of the day.
Processed products will need to be traceable across the food chain for five years and vessels above 18 metres will need to carry remote electronic monitoring systems including CCTV. Owners and operators will have four years in which to make the changes.
The draft rules will need approving by the full house in one of the plenary sessions in Strasbourg after the summer recess.
