EU publishes annual statistics of catches and days at sea for the first time

For the first time, the EU publishes statistics of total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing days at sea or fishing effort. TACs and fishing days are the two main management measures the EU uses under the common fisheries policy to achieve sustainable fisheries. The aim is to provide transparency into how EU fish stocks are managed.

The statistics that are now published cover the year 2023 and will be updated annually for the preceding year.

Total allowable catches

Total allowable catches (TACs) are catch limits that are set for most commercial fish stocks. TACs are set annually and are based on scientific advice. They are agreed with non-EU countries and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) for stocks that are shared and jointly managed, and among EU countries at the December AGRIFISH Council for EU-only stocks. 

Each TAC concerns a fish species or group of species in a particular geographic area, for example, haddock in Union waters 3a. All haddock caught and landed by the EU fleet in this area is counted for the TAC uptake.

Fishing days 

Effort regime establishes the number of days fishers can go fishing at sea. It concerns fishing effort, in days or kilowatt-days, for a particular type of vessel in a particular area.

Reporting 

EU countries report their fisheries catches and effort regime to the EU for fisheries control purposes. The EU reports on its catches under international agreements to RFMOs, and to non-EU countries under bilateral agreements.

A global overview of these statistics are available on the fishing quotas webpage of the European Commission’s website. These statistics complement Eurostat’s statistics of overall EU fisheries.

Background

EU countries and the European Commission monitor fisheries catches to ensure that limits are not exceeded. In case of overfishing, the fishery is closed. This is indicated in the statistics as a “fishery stop” date.

In the statistics table, “adapted quota” reflects quota exchanges from the EU with another contracting party, such as the UK, under an international agreement. Quota consumption is the ratio of caught and landed fish to the adapted quota.

More information

Fishing quotas webpage, including:

The European Union's aggregated fishing effort on effort stocks in the year 2023

The European Union's aggregated catches and quota consumption of TAC and Quota stocks 2023

Control regulation