ClientEarth's written contribution to the revision process of the EU Fisheries Control System

ClientEarth's submission argues that the revision of the EU Fisheries Control System must prioritize the implementation and enforcement of existing rules over the creation of new ones. The organization opposes the 'regionalisation' of control measures, fearing it would weaken standards and create a 'race to the bottom'. Key recommendations include removing VMS and logbook exemptions for vessels between 12 and 15 metres, introducing electronic reporting and geo-tracking for small-scale fisheries (below 12 metres), and establishing stricter rules for the certification of engine power and gross tonnage. ClientEarth also advocates for the inclusion of recreational fisheries under licensing and reporting obligations for stocks subject to recovery plans or multiannual plans. Finally, it calls for a more transparent reporting system, an expanded role for the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), and a more rigorous application of the penalty point system for serious infringements.

• The European Commission's revision process for the EU Fisheries Control System is criticized for being rushed and failing to follow mandatory public consultation procedures as required by the Treaty on the European Union and Better Regulation Guidelines.
• There is a significant gap in the implementation of current rules by Member States, including a decrease in inspections in France (down 24.7% in four years) and Spain (down 12.35% between 2015 and 2016).
• ClientEarth opposes the regionalisation of fisheries control policy, arguing it could allow pressure groups to influence decision-makers and lead to a 'race to the bottom' where Member States adopt weaker rules to maintain a level playing field.
• A large portion of the EU fleet escapes modern monitoring; as of 31 December 2015, 89% of EU fishing vessels did not have VMS, with 95% of those being vessels under 12 metres.
• Controls on fleet capacity are unreliable due to a lack of detailed rules for gross tonnage and inconsistent verification of engine power, with some Member States like Denmark and France conducting no verifications between 2010 and 2014.
• Recreational fisheries are largely outside the CFP control regime, and ClientEarth recommends requiring licenses and electronic catch reporting for those targeting stocks subject to recovery plans or multiannual plans (MAPs).
• The penalty point system for serious infringements is poorly implemented; for example, the European Court of Auditors found it was not applied in France and was used in only seven cases in Scotland between 2013 and 2015.
• Transparency is hindered by the fact that Member States only report on the Control Regulation every five years, and these reports are not made public by the Commission.
• To control the landing obligation, ClientEarth supports the use of remote electronic monitoring technologies (such as CCTV) and the maintenance of high levels of inspections at sea.

APA

ClientEarth (2017). ClientEarth's written contribution to the revision process of the EU Fisheries Control System. https://www.clientearth.org/media/zbob3xmt/clientearths-written-contribution-to-the-revision-process-of-the-eu-fisheries-control-system-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. ClientEarth's written contribution to the revision process of the EU Fisheries Control System. 2017. https://www.clientearth.org/media/zbob3xmt/clientearths-written-contribution-to-the-revision-process-of-the-eu-fisheries-control-system-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=ClientEarth's written contribution to the revision process of the EU Fisheries Control System |date=December 2017 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/zbob3xmt/clientearths-written-contribution-to-the-revision-process-of-the-eu-fisheries-control-system-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2017clientearths, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{ClientEarth's written contribution to the revision process of the EU Fisheries Control System}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2017}, month = dec, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/zbob3xmt/clientearths-written-contribution-to-the-revision-process-of-the-eu-fisheries-control-system-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }