European Fisheries Control Agency

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/473 on the European Fisheries Control Agency

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS REGULATION?

This regulation makes provision for a European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), based in Vigo, Spain, which aims to promote common standards for control, inspection and surveillance under the common fisheries policy (CFP).

EFCA’s primary role is to organise coordination and cooperation between national control and inspection activities so that the rules of the CFP are respected and applied effectively throughout the EU.

KEY POINTS

This regulation repeals and codifies Regulation (EC) No 768/2005.

Mission

EFCA’s mission is to:

• coordinate controls and inspections by EU countries;
• coordinate the deployment of national means of control and inspection;
• assist EU countries in reporting information to the European Commission and relevant third parties;
• assist EU countries to fulfil their obligations under the CFP;
• assist EU countries and the Commission to harmonise CFP application throughout the EU;
• contribute to research and development of control and inspection techniques;
• contribute to inspector training coordination and sharing experiences between EU countries;
• coordinate efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (‘IUU’) fishing;
• assist in the uniform implementation of the CFP control system, including operational coordination and inspections;
• cooperate with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency by providing services, information, equipment and training, and coordinating multipurpose operations.

Operational coordination

The Commission may request that EFCA coordinate control and inspection by EU countries by setting up joint deployment plans which:

• apply the criteria, benchmarks, priorities and common inspection procedures determined by the Commission; and
• lay down conditions under which the means of control and inspection of an EU country may enter waters under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of another EU country.

Competences

• Assignment of EFCA officials as EU inspectors: EFCA officials may be assigned in international waters as EU inspectors;
• Agency measures: EFCA, where appropriate,
  • issues manuals on harmonised inspection standards;
  • develops guidance material on best practice in relation to control of the CFP, including training of control officials;
  • provides the Commission with technical and administrative support.
• Cooperation: EFCA facilitates cooperation between EU countries and between them and the Commission;
• Emergency unit: where the Commission, on its own initiative or at the request of at least 2 EU countries, identifies a situation involving a direct, indirect or potential serious risk to the CFP, EFCA is notified. EFCA acting upon a notification by the Commission or on its own initiative will then immediately set up an emergency unit and inform the Commission.The emergency unit collects and evaluates relevant information and identifies the options available to prevent, eliminate or reduce the risk to the CFP and, where appropriate, will keep the public informed of the risks involved and the measures taken.

Multiannual work programme

• EFCA’s multiannual work programme establishes its overall objectives, mandate, tasks, performance indicators and the priorities over a 5-year period.
• EFCA cooperates in maritime affairs by contributing to the implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.

Combating fraud

To combat fraud, corruption and other unlawful activities, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 concerning investigations carried out by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) applies.

FROM WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 14 April 2019. Regulation (EU) 2019/473 codified and replaced Regulation (EC) No 768/2005 and its subsequent amendments.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Mission and strategy (European Fisheries Control Agency).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2019/473 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 on the European Fisheries Control Agency (codification) (OJ L 83, 25.3.2019, pp. 18-37)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/715 of 18 December 2018 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies set up under the TFEU and Euratom Treaty and referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 122, 10.5.2019, pp. 1-38)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1986 of 13 December 2018 establishing specific control and inspection programmes for certain fisheries and repealing Implementing Decisions 2012/807/EU, 2013/328/EU, 2013/305/EU and 2014/156/EU (OJ L 317, 14.12.2018, pp. 29-46)

Regulation (EU) No 2016/1626 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2016 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 768/2005 establishing a Community Fisheries Control Agency (OJ L 251, 16.9.2016, pp. 80-82)

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, pp. 22-61)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, pp. 1-50)

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, pp. 1-32)

See consolidated version.

last update 21.11.2019