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European organisations representing the fishing, fish processing, aquaculture and seafood trading sectors have released a joint statement calling on the European Commission to rethink the rollout of its new digital fisheries control rules, following the launch of the CATCH system last month.
The European Commission introduced the digital catch certification system on 10 January 2026, presenting it as a key tool to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to replace paper-based procedures for fishery products entering the EU.
At the time, the Commission said the system would make import controls “more effective and harmonised across the EU” and argued that, as it became fully operational, it would “speed up administrative procedures and reduce administrative burden for EU operators”.
Now, European seafood industry organisations Seafood Europe, Europêche, Copa-Cogeca and EAPO are saying that the reality of the initial roll-out differs significantly from those expectations.
In the joint statement, the industry groups argue that certain obligations, such as recording catches from zero kilograms and the strict application of margins of tolerance, are "unworkable in practice", particularly in mixed fisheries and on smaller vessels. According to the organisations, this not only increases the risk of unintentional infringements and heavy sanctions, but also "risk[s] undermining safety at sea, legal certainty and the competitiveness of EU operators."
The groups also point to what they describe as technical and operational shortcomings in the CATCH system itself, which they say are already disrupting supply chains and increasing costs.
“The current approach places a disproportionate administrative burden on EU operators, including our importers and exporters, while participation by third-country authorities remains voluntary,” the organisations state.
This criticism contrasts with the Commission’s position that CATCH will help create a level playing field by ensuring all imported products meet EU standards. While acknowledging the objective of tackling illegal fishing, the sectors argue that unclear responsibilities for completing catch certificates, duplication in controls and a system that is “not yet fully technically operational in practice” are instead increasing processing times and creating legal uncertainty.
The organisations are therefore calling on the Commission to "urgently correct and recalibrate" the implementation of the Regulation.
Their proposals, summarised in their joint statement, include postponing the full roll-out of CATCH until January 2027 and allowing the coexistence of current and digital systems in the meantime, clarifying reporting obligations for fishing operations, and postponing the application of digital traceability requirements after first sale until January 2029.
“These targeted and pragmatic adjustments are essential to ensure fisheries control rules remain enforceable, credible and workable in practice, without undermining safety at sea or the economic viability of EU operators,” the organisations state, adding that they are ready to work with EU institutions on a more "balanced" implementation.