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PR_COD_1amCom
11.6.2025
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PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT RESULTING FROM INTERINSTITUTIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
* Consultation procedure
Subject: Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing
*** Consent procedure
(COM(2024)0407 – C10-0098/2024 – 2024/0224(COD))
***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)
The interinstitutional negotiations on the aforementioned proposal for a regulation have led to a compromise. In accordance with Rule 75(4) of the Rules of Procedure, the provisional agreement reproduced below is submitted to the Committee on Fisheries for decision by way of a single vote.
***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)
PE-CONS No/YY - 2024/0224(COD)
***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)
REGULATION (EU) 2025/...
(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)
OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
Amendments to a draft act
of ...
Amendments by Parliament set out in two columns
amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing
Deletions are indicated in bold italics in the left-hand column. Replacements are indicated in bold italics in both columns. New text is indicated in bold italics in the right-hand column.
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
The first and second lines of the header of each amendment identify the relevant part of the draft act under consideration. If an amendment pertains to an existing act that the draft act is seeking to amend, the amendment heading includes a third line identifying the existing act and a fourth line identifying the provision in that act that Parliament wishes to amend.
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) and Article 207 thereof,
Amendments by Parliament in the form of a consolidated text
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
New text is highlighted in bold italics. Deletions are indicated using either the ▌symbol or strikeout. Replacements are indicated by highlighting the new text in bold italics and by deleting or striking out the text that has been replaced.
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
By way of exception, purely technical changes made by the drafting departments in preparing the final text are not highlighted.
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing
Whereas:
(COM(2024)0407 – C100098/2024 – 2024/0224(COD))
(1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 1995 ▌ (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock. Such cooperation may be established in the framework of regional fisheries management organisations (‘RFMOs’) or by means of ad hoc arrangements among the countries having an interest in the fishery concerned.
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
(2) Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes a framework to allow for the identification and the adoption of measures with regard to third countries which fail to cooperate and allow non-sustainable fishing of a stock of common interest for the Union.
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2024)0407),
(3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, among others, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS and the UNFSA, or with any other international agreement or rule of international law, and if it fails to adopt necessary fishery management measures.
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 43(2) and 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100098/2024),
(4) A definition of “failure to cooperate” should be introduced in order to better define, for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012, the scope and meaning of the requirement to cooperate pursuant to UNCLOS and UNFSA.
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 22 January 2025,
– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0070/2025),
1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 19821 (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 19952 (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock.
(1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 19821 (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 19952 (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock. Such cooperation may be established in the framework of regional fisheries management organisations (‘RFMOs’) or by means of ad hoc arrangements among the countries having an interest in the fishery concerned.
__________________
__________________
1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1998/392/oj.
1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1998/392/oj.
2 Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 17.
2 Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 17.
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, among others, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS and the UNFSA, or any other international agreement or norm of international law and if it fails to adopt necessary fishery management measures.
(3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 a country may be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, among others, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS, the UNFSA, or any other international agreement or norm of international law and if it fails to adopt relevant fishery management measures.
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(4a) ‘Best available scientific advice’ should be understood to refer to publicly available scientific advice that is supported by the most up-to-date scientific data and methods and that has either been issued or reviewed by an independent scientific body that is recognised at Union or international level.
Amendment 4
(5) It is also necessary to clarify that a country may be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement or enforce the necessary fishery management measures, and that those measures include control measures, including in the framework of RFMOs.
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(5) It is also necessary to clarify that a country may be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement the necessary fishery management measures, and that those measures include control measures.
(5) It is also necessary to clarify that a country may be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement, comply with or enforce the relevant fishery management, conservation or control measures, including those agreed in the framework of a RFMO.
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(6) It is also appropriate to reinforce the procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing.
(6) It is also appropriate to reinforce the procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, including for countries within the framework of RFMOs.
Amendment 6
(6a) In order to assess the appropriate measures with regard to a country allowing non-sustainable fishing, it is necessary to provide for an accurate understanding of the trade relations with the third country under evaluation, including by assessing historical data for imported products that reflect the real import patterns in relation to that country.
Proposal for a regulation
(7) Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly,
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 is amended as follows:
Present text
(1) Article 2 is amended as follows:
Amendment
(a) point (b) is replaced by the following:
(-1) in Article 2, point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) ‘associated species’ means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited or accidentally taken, including as by-catch, in the same fishery or fisheries;";
(b) ‘associated species’ means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited or accidentally taken in the same fishery or fisheries;
(b) point (f) is replaced by the following:
"(b) ‘associated species’ means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited, bycatch or accidentally taken in the same fishery or fisheries;";
(32012R1026)
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
Present text
Amendment
(-1a) in Article 2, point (f) is replaced by the following:
(f) ‘unsustainable state’ means the condition where the stock is not continuously maintained at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield or, if these levels cannot be estimated, where the stock is not continuously maintained within safe biological limits; the stock levels determining whether the stock is in an unsustainable state are to be determined on the basis of best available scientific advice;
"(f) ‘unsustainable state’ means the condition where the stock is not continuously maintained at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield or, if these levels cannot be estimated, where the stock is not continuously maintained within safe biological limits in line with the precautionary approach to fisheries management as referred to in Article 6 of UNFSA; the stock levels determining whether the stock is in an unsustainable state are to be determined on the basis of best available scientific advice;";
(32012R1026)
(c) the following point is added:
Amendment 8
“(i) ‘failure to cooperate’ means the failure by third countries to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations, including within RFMOs, in which substantial effort is made, with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures; examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:
Proposal for a regulation
(1) refusing to consult or to involve in the consultations all the relevant coastal States and/or fishing States;
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
▌
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
(3) unjustified unilateral breaking off of consultations;
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – introductory part
(4) undue delays, including in replying to requests or engaging in consultations;
Text proposed by the Commission
(4a) withholding information relevant for consultations;
Amendment
(5) making unreasonable information requests;
(i) ‘failure to cooperate’ means the failure to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations, in which substantial effort is made, with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures; examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:
(6) disregarding agreed procedures;
(i) ‘failure to cooperate’ means the failure by third countries to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations with all the relevant coastal States and/or fishing parties, including within RFMOs, with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures; examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:
(7) systematically refusing to take into consideration counter-proposals or other parties’ interests;
Amendment 9
(8) systematically insisting upon own positions for an extended period, irrespective of flexibilities offered by other parties in the consultations;
Proposal for a regulation
(9) refusing to take into account the best available scientific advice or historic fishing activities regarding the relevant stock or stocks;
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(10) pursuing consultations with a view to concluding partial sharing arrangements and/or, subsequently, concluding partial sharing arrangements excluding some relevant coastal States and/or fishing States for stocks of common interest, while consultations for comprehensive sharing arrangements are ▌ on-going.”;
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
(2) in Article 3(b), points (i) and (ii) are replaced by the following:
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 4
“(i) it fails to adopt, implement or enforce necessary fishery management measures, including control measures, ensuring the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest, including in the framework of an RFMO or agreed bilaterally or multilaterally; or
Text proposed by the Commission
(ii) it adopts fishery management measures, such as quotas or discriminatory measures, without due regard to the rights, interests and duties of other countries and the Union, and those fishery management measures, when considered in conjunction with measures taken by other countries and the Union, lead to fishing activities which could result in the stock being in an unsustainable state. This condition is considered to be complied with also where the fishery management measures adopted by that country did not lead to the stock being in an unsustainable state solely due to measures adopted by others.";
Amendment
(3) Article 6 is amended as follows:
(4) undue delays;
(a) the title is replaced by the following:
(4) undue delays in replying to requests or engaging in consultations;
“Procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing”;
Amendment 10
(aa) paragraph (1) is replaced by the following:
Proposal for a regulation
"1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed and regularly updated on the developments and actions taken.";
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(ab) the following paragraph is inserted:
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
"2a. Where the stock of common interest falls under the scope of an RFMO, the Commission shall raise the matter of a third country allowing non-sustainable fishing practices at the compliance body of that RFMO prior to the notification under paragraph 1, as applicable, with a view to remedying the situation.";
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 5
(b) paragraph (3) is replaced by the following:
Text proposed by the Commission
“3. Prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the notification in writing and to provide any relevant information.;”;
Amendment
(c) the following paragraphs are added:
(5) unreasonable information requests;
“4. The Commission shall give to the country concerned a maximum of 90 days to reply to the notification and a reasonable time to remedy the situation.
(5) unreasonable requests for information or actions to be taken, including unreasonable deadlines to reply or act;
5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage and maintain an open dialogue and shall promote cooperation bilaterally and multilaterally, with a view to the country concerned ▌ ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.
Amendment 11
6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations without delay.”.
Proposal for a regulation
(3a) in Article 7, paragraph (1) is replaced by the following:
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 8
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(8) systemically insisting upon own positions;
(8) consistently maintaining their own positions over an extended period, regardless of the flexibilities and concessions offered by other parties during the consultations;
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10a) adopting unreasonable and unjustified unilateral measures or quotas which are not in line with the measures or quotas agreed bilaterally or multilaterally;
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10b) implementing discriminatory measures that impact the fleets of third countries, while granting a partial or full exemption from those measures for their own fleet, leading to stocks being in an unsustainable state;
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i – point 10 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10c) lack of transparency in the consultations with all the relevant coastal States or fishing parties, including within RFMOs.
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(i) it fails to adopt or implement necessary fishery management measures, including control measures in order to ensure the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest; or;
(i) it fails to adopt, implement, comply with or enforce relevant fishery management measures, or those agreed bilaterally or multilaterally, including control measures ensuring the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest or associated species, including measures adopted in the framework of an RFMO; or
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(2a) in Article 3, point (b), the following point is inserted:
“(ia) it systematically fails to comply with bilateral or multilateral agreements, by failing to take effective or timely action against its nationals or flagged vessels, which were deemed to have carried out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or acted contrary to the fishery management measures established by such agreements, leading to stocks being in an unsustainable state; or”
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph -1 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(aa) the following paragraph is inserted:
“-1. The Commission shall respond within 90 days of receiving a request, from a Member State or the European Parliament, to identify a country as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing and shall outline what actions it intends to take, if any.”;
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a b (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Present text
Amendment
(ab) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed.
"1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. Prior to that notification, the Commission shall also register, as set out in Regulations (EU) 2016/10361a and (EU) 2016/10371b of the European Parliament and of the Council, all imports of products of the country under investigation that may be targeted pursuant to Article 4. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed.";
_________
1a Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (codification) (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1036/oj).
1b Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (codification) (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 55, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1037/oj).
(32012R1026)
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a c (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(ac) the following paragraph is inserted:
“2a. When the stock of common interest falls under the scope of an RFMO and the non-compliance by a third country results in that country being identified as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing under Article 3, prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall raise the matter of a third country allowing non-compliance within the relevant body, to seek timely rectification of the non-compliance.”;
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a d (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(ad) the following paragraph is inserted:
2b. In the event that, despite the actions taken under paragraph 2a, the country is still identified as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing in accordance with Article 3, the Commission shall take action on the basis of the measures referred to in Article 4.
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3. Prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the notification in writing and to provide any relevant information.;
3. Prior to adopting measures referred to in Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with the opportunity to respond to the notification in writing and to provide any relevant information.
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
4. The Commission shall give to the country concerned adequate time to reply to the notification and a reasonable time to remedy the situation.
4. The Commission shall give to the country concerned a maximum of 90 days to reply to the notification and a further maximum of 90 days from the date of that reply to remedy the situation.
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage with the country concerned, with a view to that country ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.
5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage and maintain an open dialogue and shall promote cooperation bilaterally, multilaterally, or with the compliance body of the relevant RFMO, with a view to the country concerned ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations expeditiously..
6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations promptly.
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Present text
Amendment
(3a) in Article 7, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following :
1. The measures referred to in Article 4 shall cease to apply when the country allowing non-sustainable fishing adopts appropriate corrective measures necessary for the conservation and management of the stock of common interest and those corrective measures:
“1. The measures referred to in Article 4 shall cease to apply when the country allowing non-sustainable fishing adopts appropriate corrective measures necessary for the conservation and management of the stock of common interest and those corrective measures:
(a) have either been adopted autonomously or have been agreed in the context of consultations with the Union and, where applicable, other countries concerned; and
(a) have either been adopted autonomously or have been agreed in the context of consultations with the Union and, where applicable, other countries concerned or within the framework of RFMOs; and
(b) do not undermine the effect of measures taken by the Union either autonomously, or in cooperation with other countries,countries or within the framework of RFMOs, for the purpose of the conservation of the fish stocks concerned.concerned.”.
(b) do not undermine the effect of measures taken by the Union either autonomously, or in cooperation with other countries or within the framework of RFMOs, for the purpose of the conservation of the fish stocks concerned.”
Article 2
(32012R1026)
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
This regulation is a vital tool within the EU’s international fisheries governance framework, designed to reinforce its mechanisms that ensure sustainable management of fish stocks. It serves as a cornerstone fostering international cooperation in sustainability, addressing non-compliance and safeguarding the long-term interests of EU fishers.
Done at ▌ ,
The aim of the rapporteur, among others, is to enhance the potential of this instrument. The rapporteur seeks to ensure that the EU is equipped with a robust and comprehensive framework to confront current and future challenges posed by all bilateral and multilateral partners, while also leveraging the role of compliance bodies within regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). This report therefore aims to strengthen the EU’s international fisheries governance strategy and secure its long-term objectives for sustainable and equitable fisheries management.
For the European Parliament For the Council
The rapporteur commends the Commission’s proposed changes to Article 3 on the identification of countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, as well as Article 6 establishing actions to be taken prior and subsequently to the adoption of measures, and has decided to introduce clearer and more comprehensive provisions to strengthen accountability.
The President The President
Among others, the rapporteur highlights the importance of countering unreasonable demands from third countries, which could jeopardize the strategic interests of the EU and its fishers. Provisions aimed at preventing unjustified requests and deadlines safeguard the fairness of negotiations and protect the interests of EU fishers. Additionally, the rapporteur amendments address non-compliance by our partners, thereby upholding international sustainability efforts to protect our oceans, while also protecting the interests of EU fishers. Collectively, these changes establish a more comprehensive and strategic negotiating framework with our partners.
The rapporteur considers critical to strengthen the role of compliance bodies within RFMOs and deems that the Commission underutilises this tool of international fisheries governance. Before taking further action, the EU can better leverage international cooperation in sustainable fisheries management, by holding accountable, within these multilateral bodies, third countries that allow non-sustainable fishing. The proposed amendments aim to integrate more effectively RFMOs as a compliance tool within the EU’s international fisheries governance strategy, unlocking their full potential to combat non-sustainable fishing practices. The rapporteur underscores the importance of these legislative changes in driving tangible action by the Commission to enhance the effectiveness of RFMOs, improve environmental sustainability and ensure social justice for EU fishers.
The introduction of a clear definition of "best available scientific advice" addresses a critical gap in existing legislation. This amendment ensures greater consistency and clarity across all provisions, while preventing ambiguity in decision-making. By grounding fisheries management decisions in sound scientific principles, the EU strengthens both the legal and scientific rigor of conservation actions. This, is turn, improves the long-term effectiveness of the EU’s sustainability efforts.
In conclusion, the rapporteur believes that the proposed amendments have the potential to make this regulation a stronger, more comprehensive and future-proof instrument for the EU. It would further advance our efforts towards a proactive, resilient, and equitable approach to fisheries management, consolidating the EU’s position as a global leader in international sustainable fisheries governance.
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The Rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
Title
Amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing
References
COM(2024)0407 – C10-0098/2024 – 2024/0224(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament
13.9.2024
Committee(s) responsible
PECH
Rapporteurs
Date appointed
Thomas Bajada
14.10.2024
Discussed in committee
19.2.2025
Date adopted
9.4.2025
Result of final vote
+:
–:
0:
27
0
0
Members present for the final vote
Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Thomas Bajada, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Ton Diepeveen, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Siegbert Frank Droese, Emma Fourreau, France Jamet, Nora Junco García, Isabelle Le Callennec, Isabella Lövin, Giuseppe Lupo, Francisco José Millán Mon, Jessica Polfjärd, André Rodrigues, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Sander Smit, Emma Wiesner
Substitutes present for the final vote
Luke Ming Flanagan, Idoia Mendia, Piotr Müller, Rasmus Nordqvist
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
Mélanie Disdier, Billy Kelleher, Ciaran Mullooly, Milan Zver
Date tabled
15.4.2025
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
Key to symbols: