The EU Council and the European Parliament are about to formally approve the text of the final compromise on the reform of fisheries control.
EUROPE has been able to obtain the text of the new regulation, the result of the interinstitutional compromise reached on 30 May, on the new control procedures (see EUROPE 13191/13).
The text confirms the general rule on the margin of tolerance: in relation to the quantities landed or the result of an inspection, the permitted margin of tolerance in the estimates recorded in the fishing logbook of the quantities in kilograms of fish kept on board is 10% for each species. For species kept on board whose quantity does not exceed 100 kg in live-weight equivalent, the authorised margin of tolerance is 20% for each species.
For small pelagic, industrial fishing and tropical tuna, the tolerance margin will be 10%, calculated on the total quantity registered (and not per species as is the general rule) under strict control conditions (certified ports).
Small-scale fishers will have a 20% margin of tolerance, as it is more difficult to estimate the size of small catches. The tolerance margin for by-catch will be 0.5%.
EU vessels of 18 metres or more, likely to present a risk of non-compliance, will have to be equipped with remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems, including closed-circuit television (CCTV), to guarantee respect with the so-called landing obligation (prohibition of discharges at sea).
The text lays down specific provisions for effective control of recreational fishing by the Member States, including a system of penalties for failure to comply with the regulations. There are also plans to collect reliable data on catches in certain recreational fisheries.
Link to the final compromise text: https://aeur.eu/f/7ko (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)