The new EU rules on non-sustainable fishing are expected to come into force during autumn 2025.
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The Council of the European Union has now formally approved a revised set of rules aimed at curbing non-sustainable fishing practices by countries outside the EU, following a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament earlier this summer.
Jacek Czerniak, Poland’s State Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, welcomed the deal when it was first announced in June, saying it gives the bloc "stronger tools to tackle non-sustainable fishing practices allowed by third countries and to encourage responsible fishing."
"Our message is clear: we are determined to safeguard the long-term sustainability of shared fish stocks and protect European fishers from unfair competition," Czerniak added.
Announcing the adoption of the new rules, the European Council said the revised framework makes it easier to identify countries engaged in harmful fishing activities, providing greater transparency and legal certainty.
"Non-EU countries will now have a better understanding of the circumstances under which their actions could lead to EU penalties, including import bans or restrictions of fish and fishery products," the Council stated.
The regulation also defines “failure to cooperate” more precisely and includes examples of non-cooperative behaviour, such as refusing to hold consultations with all affected countries, failing to adopt or enforce necessary measures like fishing controls, or imposing discriminatory quotas that threaten the sustainability of shared stocks.
These provisions will apply both to direct agreements between countries and to situations managed through regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
The new rules emphasise dialogue with third countries, both before and after the EU considers penalties. Under the updated framework, non-EU countries will have 90 days to respond to a notification from the European Commission about potential non-compliance.
The Commission will also be required to keep both the Council and the Parliament informed about any steps taken, including identifying a non-cooperative country or imposing restrictions.
Where a shared fish stock is managed under an RFMO, the body’s own compliance system will be used to address problems first, giving countries the opportunity to resolve disputes through multilateral cooperation before EU action is taken.
The updated regulation builds on existing legislation which already allows the EU to act against countries permitting unsustainable fishing practices, the Council said. Existing measures include the ability to impose import bans, target specific fleets or vessels, and officially label countries as "non-cooperative".
The Council said these latest amendments will make the process clearer, fairer, and more effective in protecting fish stocks and EU fishing interests. The new rules are expected to take effect this autumn, 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
The news follows several international moves to curb harmful fishing activities this month, including the UN High Seas Treaty, which reached the 60 ratifications needed to enter into force last week, and the WTO agreement on curbing subsidies for harmful fishing activities.
The United States also separately announced in early September it will ban seafood imports from hundreds of foreign fisheries that do not meet its marine mammal protection standards.