Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission actively collaborates with all Mediterranean partners, including Türkiye, to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within the framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, its 2030 Strategy[1] and its Regional Plan of Action to Combat IUU[2]. These initiatives foster alignment with international and EU standards, including the IUU Regulation[3]. As part of the EU accession process, the Commission assists candidate countries in complying with EU regulations and policies. This includes adherence to the Common Fisheries Policy and IUU-related rules.
2. Member States, however, remain primarily responsible for safeguarding their waters under the IUU Regulation. Within their jurisdictions, they can intensify risk-based checks, impose sanctions and enforce measures to combat illegal activities. Simultaneously, the Commission promotes cooperation among national authorities to strengthen control and ensure a level playing field for European fishers.
3. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is in charge of coordination and cooperation between national control and inspection activities so that the rules of the CFP are respected and applied effectively[4]. EFCA further supports capacity building in sea control and inspection, notably through the deployment of its patrol vessel, ‘Ocean Sentinel’, whose Mediterranean mission now covers parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea, Strait of Sicily and Western Mediterranean.
With respect to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the prevention of IUU fishing falls outside the Agency’s mandate as established by the regulation (EU) 2019/1896[5] on the European Border and Coast Guard.
- [1] https://www.fao.org/gfcm/publications/brochures/gfcm2030strategy/en/#:~:text=The%20GFCM%202030%20Strategy%20for%20sustainable%20fisheries%20and,to%20deliver%20on%20national%2C%20regional%20and%20global%20commitments
- [2] https://www.fao.org/gfcm/activities/compliance/decisions/rpoa-iuu/en/#:~:text=The%20RPOA-IUU%20provides%20guidance%20to%20Contracting%20and%20Cooperating,while%20harmonising%20measures%20in%20place%20across%20the%20region
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/oj/eng
- [4] This includes organising joint control and inspection activities, developing risk management strategies, providing training and technical assistance.
- [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1896/oj/eng