The European Commission decided, on Wednesday 9 February, to send a reasoned opinion to the Netherlands for failure to comply with EU rules on the weighing, traceability and recording of catches of fisheries products.
On 30 October 2020, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the Netherlands after identifying a number of serious shortcomings in compliance with the provisions on controlling and combating illegal fishing.
However, the Commission considers that the Netherlands has still not taken the necessary measures to remedy the shortcomings identified. The Netherlands has two months to respond to the reasoned opinion and take the necessary measures. Failing to do so, the Commission may decide to refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Bluefin tuna. The Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to Croatia requesting that Croatian bluefin tuna farms be subject to an effective monitoring, control and inspection system. A Commission audit found serious shortcomings in the monitoring of bluefin tuna transfer and caging operations. National authorities are required to ensure that data is cross-checked, accurate and validated, to investigate potential non-compliance and to take administrative or criminal measures against those responsible for breaches of EU law. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)