The European Commission confirmed on Thursday 22 September that it had adopted an action plan to address shortcomings in the Croatian fisheries control system.
Croatia will be required to implement the recommendations set out in the action plan with deadlines to be met for each of the measures.
In May 2015, the Commission informed Croatia of irregularities concerning the implementation by that country of the common fisheries policy rules, in particular those pertaining to fisheries control.
The Commission highlighted especially shortcomings in the monitoring of Bluefin tuna fishing and fish farming activities in the Adriatic Sea. Since the Croatian administrative inquiry did not lead to the removal of the irregularities, the Commission decided to put an action plan in place with Croatia.
Among the steps to be taken by Croatia are: - additional human resources (nine inspectors’ posts to be created); - the introduction of rules authorising inspections at sea and on land; - improving the electronic system (logbook, etc.); - putting in place a risk-based control strategy; - introducing a system of licences for small-scale fishing; - improving the system for exchanging information; - improving the information on sales notes.
The Commission has adopted other action plans of this type on fisheries control, including with the Netherlands (see EUROPE 11506). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)