The new EU rules are expected to come into force during autumn 2025.
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EU to tighten measures against overfishing by third countries, following "landmark agreement"
The European Commission has welcomed what it describes as a "landmark" political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the European Council to amend current EU rules targeting overfishing by non-EU countries in shared waters.
The revised measures aim to protect fish stocks of “common interest”, meaning those shared between the EU and third countries, by enabling the EU to impose import restrictions when non-EU partners allow or engage in non-sustainable fishing.
"The agreement brings clarity and legal certainty to the conditions under which EU measures can be triggered, while also enabling more constructive engagement with non-EU countries," the European Commission stated in a news announcement, calling the move "an important step that strengthens the EU’s toolbox to promote the sustainable management of fisheries beyond the EU, and to take firm action against non-sustainable fishing by non-EU countries."
Stronger tools to target overfishing by targeting imports
Under the amended regulation, the EU will be able to identify a country as permitting non-sustainable fishing and respond by placing "quantitative restrictions" on imports of the affected fish stocks. This includes both raw fish caught under that country’s control and processed fishery products that contain such fish.
The updated rules will apply across all sea basins, reflecting the shared and global nature of many fish stocks, the Commission indicated.
"Overfishing is a global challenge that undermines marine biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and threatens the socio-economic fabric of coastal communities across Europe. This agreement confirms the European Union’s commitment to sustainability, fairness, and multilateral cooperation," the Commission stated, adding that the EU "will continue to work closely with non-EU countries to eliminate overfishing and promote science-based, cooperative fisheries management internationally."
The political agreement, which was reached during "trilogue" negotiations between the European Parliament, Council, and Commission, now awaits formal adoption by the Parliament and Council. The updated regulation is expected to enter into force in autumn 2025.
