The European Commission has published the 2020-2023 report on its activities to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) by the IUU Regulation.
One of the main achievements is the amended IUU Regulation, adopted within the revision of the EU fisheries control system.
.The amendments introduced the IT system CATCH, which will support the implementation of the EU IUU catch certification scheme for imported fishery products. EU importers and Member States’ authorities will use CATCH starting in 2026, while non-EU countries can join voluntarily.
These amendments also modify the content of the catch certificate and accompanying documents to improve traceability and facilitate IUU controls of fishery products destined for the EU market.
Moreover, measures applying to non-cooperating countries in the fight against IUU fishing have been reinforced.
Collaboration at international level
Between 2020 and 2023, the Commission actively cooperated and provided support to international partners to promote fisheries compliance and fight against IUU fishing. This was done through bilateral IUU dialogues with non-EU countries, IUU working groups and regional and multilateral frameworks.
The Commission has also played an essential role in promoting anti-IUU fishing measures within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and actively advocated for the ratification and effective implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Port States Measures Agreement in all its external fisheries relations, including through financial support to the FAO.
Details
- Publication date
- 22 May 2024