Fishing opportunities in EU and non-EU waters

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/124 — 2019 fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in EU waters and, for EU fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters

Regulation (EU) 2018/2058 — 2019 fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Black Sea

Regulation (EU) 2018/2025 — 2019 and 2020 fishing opportunities for EU fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks

Regulation (EU) 2018/1628 — 2019 fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea and certain fishing opportunities in other waters

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THESE REGULATIONS?

They set out, for 2019 (and in certain cases for 2020 as well) the total allowable catches of different species of fish within EU waters as well as in certain non-EU waters.

KEY POINTS

Total allowable catches (TACs)

TACs set out the maximum quantity of fish of different species that can be caught during the respective year.
The set limits follow the principle of sustainable exploitation of the various stocks in line with maximum sustainable yield (MSY)*.
They are based on the best available scientific advice, including reports by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries taking into account biological and socio-economic aspects whilst ensuring fair treatment between fishing sectors.
They are decided by the EU countries on a proposal from the European Commission.
The TAC for each individual species is divided into quotas — proportions of the TAC assigned to the EU, EU countries or non-EU countries.

Scope

The regulations apply to:

EU-registered fishing vessels;
non-EU vessels fishing in EU waters.

The regulations cover fishing in EU waters, as well as certain non-EU waters (Norway, Greenland and the Faroe Islands), with specific regulations for:

deep-sea fish stocks — fish caught in waters beyond the main fishing grounds of continental shelves;
the catch limit and quotas (shared between Bulgaria and Romania) for sprat and turbot caught in the Black Sea;
10 most commercially important fish stocks in the Baltic Sea.

Landing obligation

From 1 January 2019, all EU fishing fleets must adhere to the landing obligation:

all catches of regulated commercial species taken on-board (including by-catch*) are to be landed and counted against each EU country’s respective quotas.
the obligation ends the practice of discarding.

Protected species

It is prohibited to fish for, or to keep on board if accidentally caught, a number of species including the white shark and basking shark.

FROM WHEN DO THE REGULATIONS APPLY?

Regulation (EU) 2019/124 has applied since 1 January 2019. The rules on fishing opportunities in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Area have applied since 1 December 2018 and fishing effort limits have applied since 1 February 2019.
Regulation (EU) 2018/2058 applies from 1 January 2019.
Regulation (EU) 2018/2025 applies from 1 January 2019.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1628 applies from 1 January 2019. The rules on fishing opportunities for Norway pout in specific areas apply from 1 November 2018 until 31 October 2019. The rules for anchovies fished in specific areas apply from 1 January 2018.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Managing fisheries (European Commission)
Fishing quotas (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Maximum sustainable yield (MSY): the largest yield (catch) that can be taken from the stock of a species over an indefinite period, i.e. without endangering its survival.

By-catch: unwanted fish and marine species caught unintentionally.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Regulation (EU) 2019/124 of 30 January 2019 fixing for 2019 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ L 29, 31.1.2019, pp. 1-166)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/124 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Regulation (EU) 2018/2058 of 17 December 2018 fixing for 2019 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Black Sea (OJ L 329, 27.12.2018, pp. 8-12)

Council Regulation (EU) 2018/2025 of 17 December 2018 fixing for 2019 and 2020 the fishing opportunities for Union fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks (OJ L 325, 20.12.2018, pp. 7-17)

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EU) 2018/1628 of 30 October 2018 fixing for 2019 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/120 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters (OJ L 272, 31.10.2018, pp. 1-10)