European Commission report outlines 2020-2023 achievements against illegal fishing

The European Commission has just published the 2020-2023 report on its activities to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), in accordance with the IUU Regulation.

Improved traceability and digital tools at the service of IUU controls of fishery products destined for the EU market

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 be using CATCH from 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.

Background

Since the application of the IUU Regulation in 2010, the EU has come to be recognised worldwide as a major player in the fight against IUU fishing.

A “zero tolerance” approach to IUU fishing is implemented under the EU control system of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and the EU’s updated International Ocean Governance agenda. The IUU Regulation contributes to efforts to eliminate IUU fishing in line with the EU’s commitment to goal 14 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

This periodic report provides an update on the main achievements in the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a community system to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. It fulfils the reporting requirement under the IUU Regulation and is based on submissions by member states, the commission’s own observations, and its assessment of any relevant information since 2020.

The IUU Regulation is based on two pillars:

1. the catch certification scheme, which uses traceability to apply import controls to prevent fishery products stemming from IUU fishing entering the EU market, and
2. the bilateral cooperation with non-EU countries, which strengthens fisheries governance in partner countries and helps them comply more effectively with their regional and international obligations. The EU approach to preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU fishing is embedded in international fisheries law and, in addition to the IUU Regulation, builds on the Control Regulation, the Sustainable Management of External Fleets Regulation and the implementation in EU law of measures established by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

The revision of the EU fisheries control system was successfully concluded at the end of 2023. In the context of the revision, targeted amendments to the IUU Regulation laid down a legal obligation to use digital tools to implement the catch certification scheme and strengthened IUU import controls by improving the traceability of products imported into the EU.