Brussels, 28/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the creation of an EU Fisheries Control Agency. The Agency, which should be created in 2006 in Vigo, Spain, aims to ensure respect for the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The proposal also provides for the creation of a Community fisheries monitoring centre using satellite tracking technology. "The Agency will hasten the establishment of a level playing field in control which is key to better compliance, essential to the effectiveness of CFP measures", Commissioner Franz Fischler commented.
The Agency will have the essential task of ensuring joint deployment of national control and inspection means (surveillance vessels, aircraft, vehicles and other equipment as well as inspectors, observers and other staff), according to an EU strategy. Multinational teams will be set up for inspection at sea and on shore in identified areas and on identified fisheries and fleets at given times. The Agency will help Member States to meet their responsibilities not only in EU waters but also in relation to fisheries agreements with non-EU countries. It will also be active on the high seas under international control and inspection schemes agreed within the framework of Regional Fisheries Organisations such as the North-West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) or the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC).
The other missions of the Community agency include: - training of inspectors; - the provision of equipment and services for control and inspection; - coordination of the implementation of joint pilot projects to test new control and inspection technologies; - and the development of joint operational controls procedures. Also, the Agency may offer contractual services which Member States will be able to request and for which they would be charged. These services may range from chartering and manning an inspection vessel to contracting observers on board fishing vessels.
The Agency will have an Administrative Board made up of representatives of the European Commission, the Member States and the fishing industry. The Board will establish a Work Programme for the Agency and appoint the Executive Director. The Agency will have a staff of 49.