Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedDRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

AddedP10_TA(2026)0280

Removedon the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention area of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Regulation (EU) 2018/975 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2019/833 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, Regulation (EU) 2021/56 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention, Regulation (EU) 2022/2056 laying down conservation and management measures applicable in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2022/2343 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence, and Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean

AddedImplementation into Union law of measures adopted by regional fisheries management organisations

Removed(COM(2025)0195 – C100082/2025 – 2025/0106(COD))

AddedCommittee on Fisheries

AddedPE779.561

AddedEuropean Parliament legislative resolution of 15 September 2026 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention area of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Regulation (EU) 2018/975 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2019/833 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, Regulation (EU) 2021/56 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention, Regulation (EU) 2022/2056 laying down conservation and management measures applicable in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2022/2343 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence, and Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (COM(2025)0195 – C10-0082/2025 – 2025/0106(COD))

▸6 unchanged paragraphs

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0195),

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100082/2025),

– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 16 July 2025,

Added– having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 75(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 29 April 2026 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

▸4 unchanged paragraphs

– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0039/2026),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Change 1

RemovedRecital 4: (4) At its 28th Regular Meeting in 2023, and additionally at its 24th Special Meeting in 2024, ICCAT also adopted control measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview relating to the exchange of quotas between Joint Fishing Operations, prior notification of landings, monitoring of bluefin tuna transfers operations by video camera, caging operations, and control activities in the farms after caging.

AddedP10_TC1-COD(2025)0106

RemovedRecital 5: deleted

AddedPosition of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 15 September 2026 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/… of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention area of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Regulation (EU) 2018/975 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2019/833 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, Regulation (EU) 2021/56 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention, Regulation (EU) 2022/2056 laying down conservation and management measures applicable in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area, Regulation (EU) 2022/2343 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence, and Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean

RemovedRecital 5 a (new): (5a) Application of those management measures in the Mediterranean must be in line with the strategic goal of food sovereignty for the Union. At a time when the Commission is proposing drastic cuts to fishing effort in the western Mediterranean for 2026 (up to 64 % for trawl), it is imperative for the transposition of international rules not to add layers of complexity that speed up the dismantling of the fleet, which would irreversibly increase dependence on neighbouring countries for sea products.

AddedTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RemovedRecital 7: (7) The SPRFMO Commission adopted at its 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview related to bottom fishing, transhipment, gillnets, observer programmes and data, and vessel monitoring systems, as well as new measures in particular a new protocol for high seas boarding and inspections, including procedures for alleged infringements, and measures on marine pollution and on the marking and identification of fishing vessels. New requirements must be properly coordinated with Member States to ensure they are technically and economically feasible, especially in regions affected by recent highly contentious management decisions, such as proposed reductions of Mediterranean trawl fleets, which threaten the sector's survival and increase dependence on imports from third countries.

AddedHaving regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) thereof,

RemovedRecital 8: deleted

AddedHaving regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

RemovedRecital 10: (10) NAFO adopted at its annual meetings in 2023 and 2024 further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview regarding cod in Divisions 2J3KL including closure, bycatch and retention on board, observers, surveillance, and relevant additional procedure for serious infringements. Furthermore, any future restriction on bottom gears in sensitive areas of the Atlantic should make a distinction between techniques that have clearly different impacts; in particular, bottom-set longlines’ highly selective nature and limited impact on benthic ecosystems mean they should be excluded from the applicable bans in the 87 Atlantic areas affected. Applying widespread restrictions without distinction would jeopardise the viability of sustainable fleet segments without bringing real environmental benefits.

AddedAfter transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

RemovedRecital 11: deleted

AddedHaving regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,

RemovedRecital 14: deleted

AddedActing in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

RemovedRecital 16: (16) WCPFC adopted at its 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings measures related to bunkering services and protection of sharks and use of branch lines, wire leaders and shark lines by Union longline vessels with prohibition of shark retention and duty to release, as well as surrender or discard of unintentionally caught Oceanic whitetip and silky sharks or cetacean specimens.

AddedWhereas:

RemovedRecital 17: deleted

Added(1) Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 of the European Parliament and of the Council implemented into Union law management, conservation and control measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and applicable to the ICCAT Convention Area up to, and including at, its annual meeting in 2015.

RemovedRecital 19: (19) IOTC subsequently adopted at its 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings and 6th special session measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview as regards management of anchored and drifting fish aggregating devices, voluntary fishery closure, transhipments, conservation measures for cetaceans and seabirds, regional observer schemes, vessel monitoring plans, electronic monitoring standards and port inspections. The measures adopted must take account of fleets' socio-economic circumstances and ensure that additional obligations do not compromise the Union fleet's competitiveness compared to third countries that have considerably lower environmental and labour standards.

Added(2) Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 was subsequently amended by Regulations (EU) 2019/1154, (EU) 2023/2053 and (EU) 2024/897 of the European Parliament and of the Council in order to implement further measures adopted by ICCAT at its 28th Regular Meeting in 2023. Those included measures for the conservation of whale shark and mobulid rays, as well as a geographic limitation for the applicability of sea turtle conservation measures. Moreover, the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) was defined as a sighting entity in relation to sighting of vessels and further communication to the ICCAT Secretariat.

RemovedRecital 20: (20) IOTC resolution 24/06 implemented a ban on discards of bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and non-targeted species caught by vessels in the IOTC record of authorisation that operate in the IOTC area of competence. Union fishing vessels using other gear types than those used by purse seine vessels are encouraged to retain on board and then land all fish fit for human consumption, and to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of non-targeted species taken alive, to the extent possible, while taking into consideration the safety of the crew. They are also encouraged to retain on board and then land all dead non-targeted species, except those considered unfit for human consumption or prohibited from retention. The implementation of those measures should take into consideration the efforts made by vessels to avoid non-target species and make sure that port infrastructure in the region provides the necessary conditions to manage the landings of those non-target species without impacting the normal landing operations.

Added(3) Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 implemented into Union law measures adopted by ICCAT for the management of the bluefin tuna.

RemovedRecital 21: (21) These measures, stemming from ICCAT, SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, WCPFC and IOTC, are binding on the Union. They should therefore be implemented into Union law, except where such measures are already fully addressed and covered by existing Union legislation.

Added(4) At its 28th Regular Meeting in 2023, and at its 24th Special Meeting in 2024, ICCAT also adopted control measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview relating to the exchange of quotas between Joint Fishing Operations, prior notification of landings, monitoring of bluefin tuna transfer operations by video camera, caging operations, and control activities in the farms after caging.

RemovedRecital 21 a (new): (21a) Recommendations must be strictly transposed, ensuring a level playing field for all operators in relation to operators from other contracting parties, while minimising administrative burdens and avoiding any obligations beyond those set out in the recommendations concerned.

Added▌

RemovedRecital 21 b (new): (21b) It is imperative for the Union to carefully consider the socio-economic implications of fisheries management measures and, where appropriate, evaluate their impact on the fishing sector and coastal communities. Such measures shall be based on the best available scientific advice and comply with Article 2 of the Common Fisheries Policy, ensuring the viability and competitiveness of Union fishing, promote sustainable fleet capacity, and support the development of coastal fisheries.

Added(5) Regulation (EU) 2018/975 of the European Parliament and of the Council implemented into Union law management, conservation and control measures adopted by the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) and applicable to the SPRFMO Convention Area up to, and including at, its annual meeting in 2017.

RemovedRecital 22: (22) Certain SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, IOTC and ICCAT provisions are being amended more frequently and are likely to be amended at future SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, IOTC, and ICCAT annual meetings. In order to implement swiftly into Union law such future amendments, without letting the need for swiftness be used to introduce additional restrictions that have not been duly discussed with the European Parliament and the Member States, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission. In this context, enhanced surveillance is important to avoid delegated acts being used unilaterally to introduce new restrictions on fishing effort, such as those recently proposed for the Mediterranean, which have been broadly rejected by the sectors affected and could jeopardise the socio-economic viability of fishing communities. On this basis, delegated powers must be used strictly within the limits set by the legislator and applied in line with the following provisions: (i) with regards to SPRFMO in respect to time limits, distance to the encounter area, distances related to transhipment notification, data and information requirements, and provision of record of vessel information; with regards to NAFO, in respect of measures relating to Member State duties related to the submission of changes in by-catch retained, closure periods, observer qualifications, duties, training, observer data validations, observ…

Added(6) At its 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings, the SPRFMO Commission adopted further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview relating to bottom fishing, transhipment, gillnets, observer programmes and data, and vessel monitoring systems, as well as new measures such as a new protocol for high seas boarding and inspections, including procedures for alleged infringements, and measures on marine pollution and on the marking and identification of fishing vessels.

RemovedRecital 23: (23) It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level and with representatives of relevant stakeholders, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making13. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, adapted to the fleet conditions and reality, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. The Commission is also encouraged to make use of the possibility provided by invitations to meetings in the European Parliament or the Council in order to have a further exchange of views on the preparation of delegated acts.

Added▌

RemovedRecital 23 a (new): (23a) Personal data processed in the framework of the Regulations amended by this Regulation should be treated in accordance with the applicable provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. In order to ensure the fulfilment of obligations under Regulations (EU) 2017/2107, (EU) 2018/975, (EU) 2019/833, (EU) 2021/56, (EU) 2022/2056, and (EU) 2023/2053 as amended, the personal data should be stored for a period of 10 years. In the event that the personal data in question are needed in order to follow up an infringement, inspection or judicial or administrative procedures, it should be possible for those data to be stored for a period exceeding 10 years, but no longer than 20 years.

Added(7) Regulation (EU) 2019/833 of the European Parliament and of the Council implemented into Union law conservation and enforcement measures adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) and applicable in the NAFO Regulatory Area up to, and including at, its annual meeting in 2018. In order to implement into Union law further NAFO measures adopted at its annual meetings in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, that Regulation was subsequently amended by Regulations (EU) 2021/1231, (EU) 2022/2037 and (EU) 2023/2857 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

RemovedRecital 23 b (new): (23b) The Commission shall engage with the Parliament and the Council to discuss the joint RFMOs transposition process with several different regulations being amended ahead of the next adoption, and should afterwards assess that process three years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, and every three years thereafter.

Added(8) At its 2023 and 2024 annual meetings, NAFO adopted further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview regarding cod in Divisions 2J3KL including closure, bycatch and retention on board, observers, surveillance, and the relevant additional procedure for serious infringements.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2017/2107

Added▌

RemovedArticle 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 30a: (2) The following Article is inserted: / 1. It shall be prohibited to: / (a) retain on board, tranship, or land, any part or whole of the carcass of whale sharks caught in association with ICCAT fisheries; / (b) set a purse seine on a school of tuna associated with a whale shark after sighting of the shark concerned. / 2. Masters of Union fishing vessels, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of whale sharks that are incidentally encircled in the purse seine net. / 3. Member States shall ensure that their domestic observer programmes record purse seine operations with interactions with whale sharks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, and that the following information is collected: / (c) geographic position of the interaction; / (d) steps taken by the fishing vessel to ensure safe handling and release of the specimens encircled in the purse seine; / 4. Member States shall report to the Commission, in accordance with ICCAT data reporting requirements, the data and information collected under paragraph 3 in their annual reports. The Commission shall report these data to the ICCAT Secretariat. / 5. The provisions in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply exclusively to fishing vessels operating between 40° N and 40° S.”