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Maritime Affairs and Fisheries 2023

2023 Annual Report on monitoring the application of EU law - Infringement cases by policy area

Infringement cases open at year-end 2019 - 2023

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By clicking on the multi-level chart, you can consult, for 2023, the number of infringement cases open at the year-end per policy sector and per type of infringement.

Compliance promotion activities in 2023

Guidelines on how to implement EU law

In 2023, the Commission issued the following guidelines and FAQs related to the Regulation establishing a Union system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU Regulation - Council Regulation (EC) 1005/2008, as amended):

  • The Commission updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the practical implementation of the IUU Regulation. It provides detailed steps for Member States’ responsible authorities to consider when fishery products are presented for import into the EU.
  • Following the amendment of the Regulation establishing a system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (Regulation (EU)2023/2842), the Commission published the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) explaining what is new in the EU catch certification scheme after the 2023 amendment of the EU IUU.
  • The Commission promoted among Member States the use of the 2022 Guidelines on common approach to checks and verifications under the Catch Certification Scheme established under the IUU Regulation. The promotion work was done through the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) trainings and the Commission’s feedback to Member States’ biennial reports.

Meetings with Member States

  • The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries continued providing scientific advice including on biological, economic, environmental, social and technical considerations for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy.
  • The Commission continued making regular use of the Fisheries Control Expert Group to promote an effective and uniform implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy rules on control laid down in the Control Regulation across the Member States. Five meetings of the expert group took place in 2023: on fisheries data validation, on control of eel fisheries, on control of marine recreational fisheries, on the implementation of the revised control regulation, and on the new rules on the margin of tolerance for estimating catches.
  • The Commission continued to make use of the Technical Working Group on Engine Power with the objective to share best practices, information and knowledge transfer and to propose guidelines with common harmonised standards on engine power monitoring and verification across Member States.
  • The Commission continued to make use of the Electronic recording and reporting system (ERS) and data management Working group where, among other issues, the state of play on the implementation of the rules for the exchange of fisheries data is presented and discussed with the Member States. 
  • The Commission made use of the European Maritime Spatial Planning Platform, a service for Member States to share relevant knowledge and experiences on Maritime Spatial Planning.
  • Several informal bilateral meetings took place with various Member States to discuss the implementation of the obligation of the 2023 Fishing Opportunities Regulation (Council Regulation (EU) 2023/194). The aim was to establish a six-month closure period for commercial eel fisheries in the north-east Atlantic.
  • Two meetings with Member States took place on the implementation of the EU IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) Catch Certification Scheme established under the Regulation establishing system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, as amended).
  • The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) offered a training to the Member States’ fisheries control authorities on the control of the Catch certification Scheme. This was required under the Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, as amended.

Other compliance promotion tools

  • Following the Control Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009), the Commission carried out audits and verifications in Denmark, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Finland. The aim was to assess compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, mostly focussing on weighing practices and catch registration of fishery products. A specific audit of the implementation of the Western Mediterranean multiannual management plan (MAP) was carried out in Italy, mostly focussing on weighing practices and catch registration of fishery products.
  • Activities were held to strengthen the fulfilment of Member States’ reporting obligations under the EU Regulation establishing a system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, as amended). These included regular reminders concerning quarterly reports on third country vessels landings and transhipments, and establishment of a new system with the European Fisheries Control Agency for reporting on third country vessels inspections.
  • The Commission provided feedback to Member States’ biennial reports on the implementation of the EU IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, as amended).
  • Bilateral meetings were held with several Member States to follow up on EU Pilot investigations concerning potential non-compliance with the rules for the exchange of fishery data.

Follow-up given to petitions

In 2023, the Commission did not handle any petition concerning an alleged breach of EU law in the policy area of maritime affairs and fisheries.

Outlook for 2024

In 2024, the Commission will continue important enforcement work in the area of maritime affairs and fisheries. In particular, the Commission plans to:

  • continue monitoring the correct implementation of the Control Regulation, including by bilateral dialogues, audits and verifications in the fisheries sector regarding the weighing and catch registration obligations;
  • continue monitoring Member States’ obligation to establish maritime spatial plans in line with the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (Directive 2014/89/EU);
  • continue legal enforcement in line with the Commission strategic priorities for all the above-mentioned areas by following up on existing infringement cases and launching new ones as necessary;
  • consider organising package meetings with relevant Member States as appropriate.