Commission approves stricter controls for more flexible catch reporting in specific fisheries

Today, the European Commission adopted conditions and safeguards for the use of certain exemptions to the margin of tolerance rules to ensure accurate fish quotas and healthy fisheries.

The margin of tolerance is the maximum allowed difference between catch estimations by captains of fishing vessels and the actual weight of the fish caught. The standard margin of tolerance is set at 10% per species. This means a captain's estimate for specific species caught can deviate by up to 10%.

The new conditional measures apply exemptions to the standard margin of tolerance in three fisheries where catches are not sorted upon landing:

• small pelagic fisheries
• industrial fisheries
• tropical tuna fisheries using purse seiners

Operators in these fisheries will be able to benefit from these exemptions when landing and transhipping fish only in specific ports designated by the Commission.

Stricter controls will apply to these ports, both inside and outside the EU. This ensures equal treatment for all fishing fleets, regardless of their location.

More advanced control measures

The derogations of the margin of tolerance will help fishers, while Member States will be able to use more advanced control measures.

The conditions define specific requirements for using these exemptions and emphasise the importance of rigorous weighing procedures to ensure catch registration.

More compliance at international level

With the implementation of these measures in ports outside the EU, the EU will reinforce cooperation with non-EU countries on fisheries control and strengthen a culture of compliance towards sustainable fisheries internationally.

Next steps

EU Member States can now submit their proposals for listing ports meeting conditions to use the derogation. The Commission will analyse the proposals received and publish the first list of ports meeting the conditions by July 2024.

Background 

These conditions mark the first step in a series of measures the Commission will take to guarantee the successful implementation of the revised Control Regulation.

More information 

Conditions and safeguards for the use of certain derogations to the margin of tolerance

The EU fisheries control system gets a major revamp