Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO)

The European Parliament adopted by 589 votes to 6, with 38 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/833 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure by endorsing the Commission proposal.

The objective of this proposal is to transpose into EU law the amendments to the conservation and enforcement measures adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), to which the EU is a Contracting Party, at its annual meeting in 2021. The NAFO Convention stipulates that the conservation measures adopted by the NAFO Commission are binding and that the Contracting Parties are obliged to implement them.

The Regulation aims to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/833 in order to apply the new NAFO conservation and enforcement measures to Union fishing vessels.

The Regulation implements the amendments adopted at the September 2021 NAFO Annual Meeting regarding the calculation of the 'other' quota, introducing accompanying measures for cod in Division 3M with regard to port inspection of landings, as well as for Greenland halibut.

The amendments also include revised provisions on additional procedures for serious infringements related to the use of mesh sizes or sorting grids, and strengthened measures on the follow-up of infringements, as well as the transmission of documents to NAFO and the European Fisheries Control Agency.

Certain provisions of the Conservation and Enforcement Measures (CEM) are likely to be amended at future NAFO annual meetings following the introduction of new technical measures in relation to changing stock biomass and a review of area restrictions for bottom fishing activities. Therefore, in order to swiftly incorporate into Union law such future amendments to the CEMs, before the start of fishing season, the power to adopt delegated acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of landing and inspection measures for Greenland halibut and control measures for cod in Division 3M.