Brussels, 22/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission launched a public consultation on Friday 18 December on the 2009 fisheries control regulation. It wishes to gather views on the impact of this regulation on the common fisheries policy (CFP) five years after it came into force.
Regulation 1224/2009 on fisheries control establishes EU control systems for ensuring compliance with CFP rules. It came into force on 1 January 2010, introducing major modifications to the previous system, seeking to tackle the main issues of non-compliance.
A number of themes are addressed in the questionnaire for the public and stakeholders. Has the implementation of a global and integrated approach of the fisheries control (“from the net to the plate”) increased the degree of level playing field among member states? Has the implementation of standardised fisheries control procedures allowed to put member states on an equal footing for the control of their fishermen? Has the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in developing methodologies and training material for fisheries inspections increased the degree of uniformity of fisheries control among member states? Has the use of vessel monitoring system (VMS), automated identification system (AIS), vessel detection system (VDS) improved monitoring of vessel operations? Have certification and verification of engine power allowed to significantly reduce fishing efforts? What has been the impact of using an electronic system for data recording and data exchange? Are the provisions of the Control Regulation adequate for the specific nature of small scale fisheries? Has the new integrated approach to fisheries control had a positive effect on the state of the EU's fishery resource? Have member states' sanctions systems been sufficiently dissuasive to reduce the number of infringements? Are new instruments required to ensure the CFP is properly implemented by the member states? Should the new landing obligation be more closely monitored?
The public consultation will run until 13 March 2016. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)