On Wednesday 4 October, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Portugal over shortcomings on addressing illegal activities by some of its fishing vessels in the waters under the responsibility of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NAFO).
The Commission is of the view that Portugal is failing to meet its obligations in enforcing EU rules on conservation and enforcement measures under the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Commission and is infringing the regulation establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
It also considers that Portugal is breaching the rules of the control regulation aiming to ensure compliance with the common fisheries policy. The Portuguese authorities now have two months to take the necessary action, failing which the Commission may send a reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure.