"The new rules will modernise the way fishing activities are controlled, for EU vessels and those fishing in EU waters and foster consistent enforcement across the EU," according to the EU Commission.
Photo: European Commission
The European Commission has approved a new set of rules intended to make fisheries control simpler, more consistent and better adapted to modern technology.
The changes are meant to help authorities prevent overfishing and ensure fleets across the EU are treated fairly, while also reducing the administrative load on fishers and national administrations, the Commission said.
The two legal acts, published in the Official Journal on 12 November, build on the revised Fisheries Control Regulation that came into force at the start of 2024.
"The preparation of these rules was done in close cooperation with Member States, and included feedback from fishers, industry representatives, regional authorities, and NGOs," the EU Commission stated in a news announcement.
A key change in the updated rules is a move towards fully digital catch reporting. The Commission argues that real-time electronic data will make it easier for control authorities to keep track of fishing activities and manage stocks, and should also simplify paperwork for operators. Smaller vessels will have lighter reporting obligations, the Commission said.
The rules also update the technical standards for vessel monitoring systems, and give ship masters more flexibility if their tracking devices malfunction. Inspection procedures will shift to a shared digital format to speed up reporting and make it easier for countries to compare information.
Another element introduced in the new legislation is the harmonisation of national penalty point systems for serious infringements, which the Commission says will help ensure a level playing field. Gear-marking rules will also be adjusted, with more flexible labelling requirements for small boats using passive gear close to shore.
The new measures will apply from 10 January 2026, although some provisions will be phased in until 2028 to give administrations and operators time to adapt. They will replace an older set of rules from 2011, which the Commission considers no longer suitable, given what it describes as "increasing demands for more digitalisation and adaptation to evolving fisheries practices."
