Brussels, 21/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 1st January 2010, the entry into force of a new, stronger system to control fisheries and stamp out illegal fishing becomes operational. The new rules aim to step up controls of fishing in the EU and stamp out products from third countries that are caught illegally. The new system is based on three pillars: - 1) the regulation against illegal fishing (EUROPE 9750): from now on, all marine fishery products traded with the EU, wherever they come from in the world, will have to be certified and their origin will be traceable. A comprehensive catch certification scheme will make sure that the fish caught, landed, brought to market and sold can be tracked at any stage of the process - in an effort to close the EU market to illegally caught fish; - 2) the regulation on control brings in a targeted, more effective and less costly fisheries control system (EUROPE 10024). It introduces harmonised rules for inspection, monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement throughout the chain from net to plate. Like the IUU Regulation above, it contains strong measures to sanction law-breakers. The Control Regulation notably introduces a point system for serious infringements, which can ultimately result in wrongdoers losing their licence to fish. The third pillar is a regulation on fishing authorisations for the EU fleet operating outside EU waters, which has been in force since October 2008 (EUROPE 9750). (L.C./transl.fl)