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The European Council has presented new regulations focused on the management, conservation, and control measures in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) convention area.
From now on, member states will need fishing authorizations for large-scale catching vessels flying their flag to fish North and Southern Atlantic albacore. Also, South Atlantic albacore catches must be reported to ICCAT.
Data collection and reporting to ICCAT to keep stocks updated, new rules for the use and operational handling of vessel monitoring systems, and health and safety rules for ICCAT observers for transshipment at sea are some of the new measures.
Finally, the regulation revises the long-term management strategy for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Regarding tropical tuna, there will be capacity limitations and a ban on discards by purse seiners.
"The fisheries sector is essential for the sustainability of our seas and oceans and it also plays a key role in ensuring food security and the profitability of our industry. The updated rules adopted today will pave the way to ensuring that important decisions made in international fora are fully part of EU law," Hilde Crevits, Belgian Flemish Minister for Welfare, Public Health, and the Family, and competent for Fisheries explained.
The ICCAT creates a structure for regional collaboration with the purpose of conserving and managing tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and nearby seas. The European Union has been a member since 1997.
According to the European Council, the Comission can adopt recommendations for the conservation and management of the fisheries under its responsibility. These recommendations are mandatory for member states and take effect six months after notification.