On Tuesday, 20 June, the three EU institutions put the final touches to a compromise text on a more rigorous authorisation system for European fishing vessels operating outside of Union waters (see EUROPE 11717).
The new regulation will apply to all EU vessels fishing outside of EU waters and non-EU vessels fishing within EU waters.
The Maltese Presidency of the Council welcomed the fact that, “Thanks to these new and more transparent rules the EU will be better equipped to monitor its external fleet, and to fight against illegal fishing”. The aim is to ensure that EU fishing activities outside the Union’s waters respect the same principles and standards as those applied in EU waters.
The new rules focus on abusive activities involving abusive reflagging o welcomes the agreement to set up a public register for the fishing authorities.
The agreement will still need to be approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (Coreper). After formal approval by the Council, the new legislation will have to be formally adopted by the European Parliament (in a first reading) and by the Council. The new regulation is expected to enter into force by the end of the year. Three trialogues took place between April and June 2017. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)