Brussels, 16/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 April, the European Commission is expected to endorse legislative proposals to set up a European Fisheries Control Agency, with headquarters in Vigo (Galicia) in Spain.
The main role of the European Fisheries Control Agency will be to coordinate the deployment of national inspection and surveillance teams, operating in common. Inspections will be carried out by multinational teams in line with an EU inspection strategy determined by the European Commission. The Agency's work will include organising controls of licences, checking ships and fishing in EU waters and also in international and third country waters. The Agency will also inspect unloading of catches.
This proposal, unveiled by Commissioner Franz Fischler, should be adopted by the end of the year, or the beginning of 2005, in order for the European Fisheries Control Agency to be up and running in 2006. The governing board and the Director of the Agency may be appointed during 2005.