Brussels, 11/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 10 July, the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and Slovenia) asking them fully to discharge their obligations under the regulation on fishing control, particularly the obligation to ensure direct exchanges of relevant fisheries information with the other member states, by electronic means.
The member states must set up the necessary systems allowing them to exchange fisheries data electronically. An absence of such a system might hinder vessels of other member states from exercising their right to fish in these countries' waters, or to land or sell fish on their territory. Similarly, fishing vessels flagged to Bulgaria, Greece or Slovenia might be prevented from fishing outside their own waters and from landing or selling fish in other EU countries. These systems must allow the exchange of information such as vessel monitoring system data, fishing logbook information, landing and other declarations. These requirements have been mandatory in all member states since 1 January 2010. If no satisfactory response is received within two months, the Commission may refer these member states to the Court of Justice of the European Union. (LC)