European Fisheries Control Agency. Codification

The European Parliament adopted by 558 votes to 29, with 11 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Fisheries Control Agency (codified text).

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission's proposal as adapted to the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the Legal Services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

According to the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the proposal in question contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts without any change in their substance.

For the sake of clarity and transparency of the law, the purpose of this proposal is to undertake a codification of Council Regulation (EC) No 768/2005 establishing a European Fisheries Control Agency and amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy.

Objective and tasks

The Regulation provides for a European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) with the objective of organising operational coordination of fisheries control and inspection activities by the Member States and assisting Member States to cooperate so as to comply with the rules of the common fisheries policy in order to ensure its effective and uniform application.

The Agency's mission shall be to:

coordinate: (i) controls and inspections of fisheries by EU countries; (ii) the deployment of national means of control and inspection pooled by EU countries; (iii) operations to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;

assist Member States in (i) providing the European Commission and other interested parties with information on fishing activities and control and inspection activities; (ii) fulfilling their obligations under fisheries policy rules;

assist Member States and the Commission in harmonising the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy throughout the Union;

contribute to the research and development work carried out by the Member States and the Commission on control and inspection techniques; (ii) coordinate the training of inspectors and the sharing of experience between the Member States; (iii) contribute to the harmonised implementation of the control system of the common fisheries policy;

cooperate with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency, each within its own mandate, to support national authorities carrying out coast guard functions, by providing services, information, equipment and training, as well as coordinating multi-purpose operations.

Organisation

The Agency, based in Vigo, Spain, shall consist of: (i) an Executive Director appointed for a five-year term; (ii) an Advisory Board to assist the Executive Director; and (iii) an Administrative Board (composed of one representative from each EU country and six Commission representatives) which, inter alia, appoints the Executive Director.