The Commission has decided to ask Ireland officially to conduct an administrative inquiry to evaluate its capacity to apply the rules of the common fisheries policy (CFP).
This comes as a result of the severe and significant weaknesses detected in the Irish control system during an audit carried out by the Commission in Ireland, in 2018. Principally, the Commission identified shortcomings related to the effective control of the weighing of catches of small pelagic species, issues related to underreporting of catches of these species, the inadequate and ineffective sanctioning system for offences committed by operators and the lack of control and enforcement of bluefin tuna catches by recreational vessels. The administrative inquiry should focus on the collection of information on these specific findings to enable the Commission to further evaluate Ireland's capacity to apply the rules of the CFP and to assess the potential consequences of any failure to do so. Ireland has three months to conduct this inquiry. This period may be extended for a reasonable delay by the Commission, on a duly reasoned request from Ireland. After that period, the Commission will analyse the information provided by Ireland and identify if any further steps or actions are needed.
Details
- Publication date
- 29 July 2019
- Author
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries