On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down conservation, management and control measures applicable… in the area covered by the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in the North-East Atlantic fisheries, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1899/85 and Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010

The rapporteur welcomes the proposed Regulation that compiles and implements into Union law the conservation, management and control measures adopted by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). In order to ensure a sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources together with a level playing field in the NEAFC Convention area, the transposition of all recommendations into European Union (EU) law should be completed expeditiously.

NEAFC plays a significant role in regulating and conserving marine resources, overseeing fishing activities, and safeguarding the fragile ecosystems in this area. By incorporating NEAFC recommendations into Union law, EU vessels can ensure that their fishing practices align with international agreements and commitments, promoting responsible and environmentally friendly fisheries management. This transposition facilitates cooperation between EU member states and international partners, reinforcing our common dedication to combat overfishing, protect vulnerable species as well as ecosystems, and maintain the long-term viability of fisheries in the North East Atlantic.

The rapporteur would also like to highlight the importance of the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), in particular the policy’s environmental commitments pertaining to when EU vessels are active in non-EU waters, and the adherence to respective Regional fisheries management organisation (RMFO) rules. The rules of the CFP, if implemented properly, provide an ambitious and sustainable approach to fisheries management.

In 2022, the Union had 301 fishing vessels authorised to operate in the NEAFC Regulatory Area, that is, beyond the waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Contracting Parties. However, the actual Union fishing operations have been rather limited, with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia currently having the most significant fishing activity in international waters of the Barents Sea. Some Union vessels from Portugal, Spain, France and the Netherlands operate in other areas as well, to a lesser extent. The vast majority of fishing activity is thus concentrated in Union waters.

The rapporteur notes that Title III of the proposed Regulation implements the agreed record of conclusions of fisheries consultations, between Norway, the EU, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom on control measures for pelagic stocks in the North East Atlantic, of November 2022. Five out of the six NEAFC Contracting Parties have agreed to support the surveillance by camera and sensor technologies of landings at a limited number of landing and processing facilities, where more than 3,000 tonnes per year of certain species are weighed. It is therefore coherent to incorporate these provisions in the present Regulation as well, in order to avoid any delays and to ensure that port Member States have sufficient time to prepare for the implementation of those already agreed measures before their date of applicability, i.e. 1 January 2026. Furthermore, it not only fosters a level playing field but also serves as a testament to the EU's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations to our global partners.