Brussels, 25/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 25 September, the Fisheries Council formally adopted the regulation on applying certain sanctions to third countries that authorise or practise non-sustainable fishing. The text was recently approved by the European Parliament (EUROPE 10688) and will enter into force after its publication in the EU Official Journal. This instrument may be used for the first time against Iceland and the Faroe Islands, which the EU believes have unjustifiably obtained quotas for North Eastern mackerel that are too high (see other article).
Under the future regulation, a variety of trade measures could be adopted which include: - quantitative restrictions on the importations of fish into the EU including the stock of common interest and associated species; - restrictions on the use of EU ports by vessels flying the flag of the target country that fish the stock of common interest and/or associated species; - restrictions on the use of EU ports by vessels transporting fish and fishery products; - other restrictions aiming to avoid EU fishing vessels or equipment being used for fishing the stock of common interest under the control of the country allowing non sustainable fishing. (LC/trans.fl)