What changed

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100082/2025),

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs on the proposed legal basis,

– 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 16 July 2025,

– having regard to RulesRule 60 and 41 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A100000/2025),(A10-0039/2026),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

✦ Adds recitals on ICCAT control measures, food sovereignty, SPRFMO coordination, NAFO bottom gears and longlines, and drops recitals on those subjects.

Recital 4: (4) At its 28th Regular Meeting in 2023, and additionally at its 24th Special Meeting in 2024, ICCAT also adopted control measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview relating to the exchange of quotas between Joint Fishing Operations, prior notification of landings, monitoring of bluefin tuna transfers operations by video camera, caging operations, and control activities in the farms after caging.

Recital 5: deleted

Recital 5 a (new): (5a) Application of those management measures in the Mediterranean must be in line with the strategic goal of food sovereignty for the Union. At a time when the Commission is proposing drastic cuts to fishing effort in the western Mediterranean for 2026 (up to 64 % for trawl), it is imperative for the transposition of international rules not to add layers of complexity that speed up the dismantling of the fleet, which would irreversibly increase dependence on neighbouring countries for sea products.

Recital 7: (7) The SPRFMO Commission adopted at its 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview related to bottom fishing, transhipment, gillnets, observer programmes and data, and vessel monitoring systems, as well as new measures in particular a new protocol for high seas boarding and inspections, including procedures for alleged infringements, and measures on marine pollution and on the marking and identification of fishing vessels. New requirements must be properly coordinated with Member States to ensure they are technically and economically feasible, especially in regions affected by recent highly contentious management decisions, such as proposed reductions of Mediterranean trawl fleets, which threaten the sector's survival and increase dependence on imports from third countries.

Recital 8: deleted

Recital 10: (10) NAFO adopted at its annual meetings in 2023 and 2024 further measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview regarding cod in Divisions 2J3KL including closure, bycatch and retention on board, observers, surveillance, and relevant additional procedure for serious infringements. Furthermore, any future restriction on bottom gears in sensitive areas of the Atlantic should make a distinction between techniques that have clearly different impacts; in particular, bottom-set longlines’ highly selective nature and limited impact on benthic ecosystems mean they should be excluded from the applicable bans in the 87 Atlantic areas affected. Applying widespread restrictions without distinction would jeopardise the viability of sustainable fleet segments without bringing real environmental benefits.

Recital 11: deleted

Recital 14: deleted

Recital 16: (16) WCPFC adopted at its 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings measures related to bunkering services and protection of sharks and use of branch lines, wire leaders and shark lines by Union longline vessels with prohibition of shark retention and duty to release, as well as surrender or discard of unintentionally caught Oceanic whitetip and silky sharks or cetacean specimens.

✦ Adds recitals on IOTC measures, socio-economic circumstances, strict transposition, socio-economic impact and delegated acts, and drops a recital on IOTC measures.

Recital 20: (20) IOTC resolution 24/06 implemented a ban on discards of bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and non-targeted species caught by vessels in the IOTC record of authorisation that operate in the IOTC area of competence. Union fishing vessels using other gear types than those used by purse seine vessels are encouraged to retain on board and then land all fish fit for human consumption, and to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of non-targeted species taken alive, to the extent possible, while taking into consideration the safety of the crew. They are also encouraged to retain on board and then land all dead non-targeted species, except those considered unfit for human consumption or prohibited from retention.

Recital 17: deleted

Recital 19: (19) IOTC subsequently adopted at its 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual meetings and 6th special session measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview as regards management of anchored and drifting fish aggregating devices, voluntary fishery closure, transhipments, conservation measures for cetaceans and seabirds, regional observer schemes, vessel monitoring plans, electronic monitoring standards and port inspections. The measures adopted must take account of fleets' socio-economic circumstances and ensure that additional obligations do not compromise the Union fleet's competitiveness compared to third countries that have considerably lower environmental and labour standards.

Recital 20: (20) IOTC resolution 24/06 implemented a ban on discards of bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and non-targeted species caught by vessels in the IOTC record of authorisation that operate in the IOTC area of competence. Union fishing vessels using other gear types than those used by purse seine vessels are encouraged to retain on board and then land all fish fit for human consumption, and to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of non-targeted species taken alive, to the extent possible, while taking into consideration the safety of the crew. They are also encouraged to retain on board and then land all dead non-targeted species, except those considered unfit for human consumption or prohibited from retention. The implementation of those measures should take into consideration the efforts made by vessels to avoid non-target species and make sure that port infrastructure in the region provides the necessary conditions to manage the landings of those non-target species without impacting the normal landing operations.

Recital 21: (21) These measures, stemming from ICCAT, SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, WCPFC and IOTC, are binding on the Union. They should therefore be implemented into Union law, except where such measures are already fully addressed and covered by existing Union legislation.

Recital 21 a (new): (21a) Recommendations must be strictly transposed, ensuring a level playing field for all operators in relation to operators from other contracting parties, while minimising administrative burdens and avoiding any obligations beyond those set out in the recommendations concerned.

Recital 21 b (new): (21b) It is imperative for the Union to carefully consider the socio-economic implications of fisheries management measures and, where appropriate, evaluate their impact on the fishing sector and coastal communities. Such measures shall be based on the best available scientific advice and comply with Article 2 of the Common Fisheries Policy, ensuring the viability and competitiveness of Union fishing, promote sustainable fleet capacity, and support the development of coastal fisheries.

Recital 22: (22) Certain SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, IOTC and ICCAT provisions are being amended more frequently and are likely to be amended at future SPRFMO, NAFO, IATTC, IOTC, and ICCAT annual meetings. In order to implement swiftly into Union law such future amendments, without letting the need for swiftness be used to introduce additional restrictions that have not been duly discussed with the European Parliament and the Member States, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission. In this context, enhanced surveillance is important to avoid delegated acts being used unilaterally to introduce new restrictions on fishing effort, such as those recently proposed for the Mediterranean, which have been broadly rejected by the sectors affected and could jeopardise the socio-economic viability of fishing communities. On this basis, delegated powers must be used strictly within the limits set by the legislator and applied in line with the following provisions: (i) with regards to SPRFMO in respect to time limits, distance to the encounter area, distances related to transhipment notification, data and information requirements, and provision of record of vessel information; with regards to NAFO, in respect of measures relating to Member State duties related to the submission of changes in by-catch retained, closure periods, observer qualifications, duties, training, observer data validations, observ…

Recital 23: (23) It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level and with representatives of relevant stakeholders, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making13. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, adapted to the fleet conditions and reality, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. The Commission is also encouraged to make use of the possibility provided by invitations to meetings in the European Parliament or the Council in order to have a further exchange of views on the preparation of delegated acts.

Recital 23 a (new): (23a) Personal data processed in the framework of the Regulations amended by this Regulation should be treated in accordance with the applicable provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. In order to ensure the fulfilment of obligations under Regulations (EU) 2017/2107, (EU) 2018/975, (EU) 2019/833, (EU) 2021/56, (EU) 2022/2056, and (EU) 2023/2053 as amended, the personal data should be stored for a period of 10 years. In the event that the personal data in question are needed in order to follow up an infringement, inspection or judicial or administrative procedures, it should be possible for those data to be stored for a period exceeding 10 years, but no longer than 20 years.

✦ Adds a recital requiring the Commission to engage with Parliament and the Council on the joint regional fisheries management organisation transposition process and to assess it every three years.

Recital 23 b (new): (23b) The Commission shall engage with the Parliament and the Council to discuss the joint RFMOs transposition process with several different regulations being amended ahead of the next adoption, and should afterwards assess that process three years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, and every three years thereafter.

Regulation (EU) 2017/2107

✦ Formal Corrects the closing quotation mark in Article 30a on whale sharks.

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 30a: (2) The following Article is inserted: / 1. It shall be prohibited to: / (a) retain on board, tranship, or land, any part or whole of the carcass of whale sharks caught in association with ICCAT fisheries; / (b) set a purse seine on a school of tuna associated with a whale shark after sighting of the shark concerned. / 2. Masters of Union fishing vessels, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of whale sharks that are incidentally encircled in the purse seine net. / 3. Member States shall ensure that their domestic observer programmes record purse seine operations with interactions with whale sharks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, and that the following information is collected: / (c) geographic position of the interaction; / (d) steps taken by the fishing vessel to ensure safe handling and release of the specimens encircled in the purse seine; / 4. Member States shall report to the Commission, in accordance with ICCAT data reporting requirements, the data and information collected under paragraph 3 in their annual reports. The Commission shall report these data to the ICCAT Secretariat. / 5. The provisions in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply exclusively to fishing vessels operating between 40° N and 40° S.S.”

Regulation (EU) 2017/2107

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 33a – paragraph 6: 6. Union fishing vessels that are equal to or greater than 12 metres in length overall shall be allowed to retain South Atlantic shortfin mako only when the fish is dead on haulback, and the vessel has an observer or a functioning electronic monitoring system (EMS) on board to verify the condition of the sharks.

✦ Formal Corrects the number of Regulation (EU) 2021/2107.

Regulation (EU) 2017/21072021/2107

✦ Extends the one-specimen retention limit for South Atlantic shortfin mako to vessels of less than 12 meters in length overall.

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 33a – paragraph 7: 7. In addition to the conditions mentioned in paragraph 6, for Union fishing vessels that are equal to orof greaterless than 12 metresmeters in length overall, no more than one specimen of South Atlantic shortfin mako shall be retained by a vessel for any fishing trip.

✦ Formal Adds a procedural note that an amendment will substitute amendment 6.

The following amendment will substitute amendment 6.

Regulation (EU) 2017/2107

Regulation (EU) 2017/2107

✦ Wording Replaces 'Paragraph' with 'paragraph' in Article 66a(3) on sightings.

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 66a – Paragraphparagraph 3: 3. When a vessel is sighted pursuant to paragraph 1, the Member State concerned or the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) (the ‘sighting entity’) shall record findings and transmit a report without delay, if possible by electronic means, to the appropriate authorities of the flag Member State or CPC or flag non-CPC of the sighted vessel, with copy to the ICCAT secretariat, the Commission and, when appropriate, EFCA. If the sighted vessel is flagged to a Member State, the flag Member State shall, without undue delay, take appropriate action with respect to the vessel concerned; both the sighting entity and the flag Member State of the sighted vessel shall provide information on the sighting to the Commission and, when appropriate, EFCA, including details of any follow-up action taken.

Regulation (EU) 2017/2107

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Requires member states to communicate their inspection vessels and authorities authorised to board and inspect in the SPRFMO Convention Area to the Commission or EFCA.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point d, Article 4 – point 20: (20) ‘SPRFMO register of authorised inspection vessels and authorities of the inspection vessel’ means the list of inspection vessels and authorities authorised to conduct boarding and inspection in the SPRFMO Convention Area, as notified by the Member States, theCommission Commission,or EFCA, Contracting Parties and CNCPs, which is maintained by the SPRFMO Secretariat;Secretariat. Member States shall communicate to the Commission or EFCA their inspection vessels and authorities authorised to board an inspect in the SPRFMO Convention Area;

✦ Formal Adds a procedural note that an amendment will substitute amendment 18.

The following amendment will substitute amendment 18.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Removes the condition that a species has not previously been targeted in the area where fishing activities are to take place.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) inside a management area where the species targeted has not previously been targeted in the area where the fishing activities are to take placetargeted, unless the species has regularly been caught as part of an existing fishery.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Requires the Commission to forward reports on encounters with vulnerable marine ecosystems to the SPRFMO Secretariat without delay.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 14 – paragraph 2: 2. Fishing vessels shall report encounters with VMEs to the flag Member State on the basis of the guidelines set out in Annex IV including a detailed description of the encounter. The flag Member State shall carry out a comparison of the encounter with the existing model prediction, and suggested management actions to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs, in order to verify whether a VME is likely to be present at the encounter area and/or the surrounding area, whether a significant adverse impact has occurred, and the risk of a significant adverse impact occurring in the future. The Member State shall transmit those reports to the Commission without delay. The Commission shall forward that information to the SPRFMO Secretariat without delay.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Wording Replaces 'are' with 'shall be' in the prohibition on bottom fishing in vulnerable marine ecosystem encounter areas.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 14 – paragraph 4: 4. Member States shall transmit the information referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 to fishing vessels flying their flag authorised to operate in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Fishing vessels areshall be prohibited from carrying out bottom fishing activities in VME encounter areas notified under paragraphs 2 and 3 unless and until the SPRFMO Commission determines management actions that would permit the resumption of bottom fishing activities in the area.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Wording Specifies that the flag member state shall inform the SPRFMO Secretariat and the Commission before the vessel enters the SPRFMO Convention Area.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5, Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) give at least 72 hours advance notice to the flag Member State, including the expected location, dates and times of entry and exit as well as the length of gillnet carried on board. The flag Member State shall without delay inform the SPRFMO Secretariat and the Commission, or the body designated by it, prior to the vessel entering the SPRFMO Convention Area;

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Wording Adds 'day' to the deadline for submitting the SPRFMO transhipment declaration.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11, Article 26 – paragraph 1: 1. Receiving fishing vessels that engage in transhipment shall prepare a SPRFMO transhipment declaration in accordance with Annex IX and shall submit the declaration to its flag Member State no later than the 5th day of the month following that in which the transhipment is completed. The flag Member State shall submit the declaration to the Commission, or the body designated by it, no later than the 10th day of the month following that in which the transhipment is completed. The Commission, or the body designated by it, shall transmit this information to the SPRFMO Secretariat no later than the 15th day of the month following that in which the transhipment is completed.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Wording Replaces 'The Member State' with 'Those Member States' in the provision on deploying observers from another programme.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13, Article 28 – paragraph 6: 6. Member States intending to deploy observers from the observer programme of another Member State, SPRFMO Contracting Party or CNCP shall inform the Commission before such deployment. TheThose Member StateStates shall seek the consent of the respective Member State, SPRFMO Contracting Party or CNCP before informing the Commission.

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Wording Replaces 'are' with 'be' in the requirement for observers to be familiar with emergency procedures.

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13, Article 28q – paragraph 2 – point g: (g) arebe familiar with the emergency procedures aboard the vessel, including the locations of life rafts, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits, and participate regularly in emergency drills for which the observer has received training;

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

✦ Formal Corrects the cross-references to Articles 7(1), (1b) and (1c) in Article 43(1)(b).

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 22 – point a, Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the time limits laid down in Articles 7(1),(1b),1(c)7(1), (1b), 1(c) and (2), 11, 13(2) and (5), 16(1) and (3), 17(1) and (2), 21(1) and (2), 22 (1) to (4), 23(6), 24(1) to (3), 25(5) and (6), 26(1), 27(2), (3) and (3a), 28(2), 28a(1) and (2), 28b(1), 28u(1), 29(1) and (2), 30(2), 31(1) and (1a), 34(5) and (6), 35(2) and (3), 35b(4), 35e(1) and (2), 36, 37(1), 39(2), and 40(2), (3) and (4), and 41(1), (2) and (4);

Regulation (EU) 2018/975

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

✦ Replaces the time format '24:00' with '23:59' in Article 6(1), points (d) and (e).

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new), Article 6 – paragraph 1 – points d and e: (1a) In Article 6(1), points (d) and (e), the time format of “24:00” is replaced by “23:59”;

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

✦ Wording Replaces 'in accordance as set up' with 'as set out' in Article 30(1)(d).

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) sighted fishing vessel’s activity in accordance as set upout in ANNEX II.I. Part B to the CEM referred to in point 46 of the Annex to this Regulation;

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

✦ Removes the requirement for EFCA to transmit the surveillance report to the NAFO Executive Secretary for transmission to the flag state.

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 30 – paragraph 3 – point b: (b)b. transmit the surveillance report to EFCA relating to a sighting referred to in paragraph 2 which shall submit it without delay to the NAFO Executive Secretary for transmission to the flag Member State or Contracting Party of the vessel;Secretary;

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

✦ Replaces Article 43 on confidentiality and data protection, adding rules on personal data storage and references to data protection regulations.

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new), Article 43: (9a) Article 43 is replaced by the following: / “Article 43 / Confidentiality and data protection / 1. Data collected and exchanged in the framework of this regulationRegulation shall be treated in accordance with the applicable rules on confidentiality pursuant to Articles 112 and 113 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. / 2. The collection, transfer, storage or other processing of any data pursuant to this Regulation shall be in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2016/679* and (EU) 2018/1725** of the European Parliament and of the Council. / 3. Personal data processed under this Regulation shall not be stored for a period longer than 10 years, except if those personal data are necessary to enable the follow-up of an infringement, an inspection, or judicial or administrative procedures. In those cases, the personal data may be stored for a maximum of 20 years. If personal data are retained for a longer period, the data shall be anonymised. / *Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). / **Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the fre…

Regulation (EU) 2019/833

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Adds a definition of 'Electronic Monitoring System' or 'EMS' in Article 3.

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new), Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new): (-1) In Article 3, the following point is added: / “24a. ‘Electronic Monitoring System’ or ‘EMS’ means an integrated system of hardware and software that supports acquisition of video footagesfootage of fishing activity, positional data and/or sensor, that allows the analysis and reporting of electronic monitoring records.”

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Wording Replaces 'program(s)' with 'programme(s)' in Article 7c(17) on electronic monitoring programmes.

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 5, Article 7c – paragraph 17: 17. Member States that decide to implement EMS to collect fisheries data for submission to IATTC shall submit by 15 March of the following year a fleet-level summary of the VMPs to the Commission describing the implementation of their EM program(s)programme(s) in the previous year, including, at a minimum, the number of vessels implementing EMS by gear and fishery type; the range of EMS configurations implemented within the fleet; a general description of EMS requirements placed upon vessel masters and crews by the Member States; the percentage of coverage levels achieved by fishery and gear type; details on how those coverage levels were calculated; and, where appropriate, information on compliance monitoring. The Commission shall submit to the IATTC Secretariat the report on the implementation of EM programme(s) in the previous year by 30 March.

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Adds Article 10(9) prohibiting Union fishing vessels from fishing in silky shark pupping areas identified by the IATTC.

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 10 – paragraph 9: 9. Union fishing vessels shall not fish in silky shark pupping areas identified by the IATTC. The Member States shall make the information on those areas available for the operators of Union fishing vessels.

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 7, Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. Union fishing vessels shall promptly release sharks (whether alive or dead) caught that are not retained, unharmed to the extent practicable, as soon as they are seen on the line, entangled in the net or brailed on the deck, taking due consideration of the safety of any persons. / 1a. Purse seine vessels shall apply the following procedure to safeguard the safety of the persons involved in such an operation:

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Wording Replaces 'recommended' with 'the following tools are recommended' in Article 12(1)(ea) on handling and release practices.

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 7, Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new): (ea) recommendedthe following tools are recommended for best handling and release practices: / (i) bycatch sorting/releasing devices for working/main deck, e.for g.instance hopper with a door or ramp; / (ii) stretcher/cradle.

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Wording Replaces 'recommended' with 'the following tools are recommended' and 'with' with 'of' in Article 12(2)(ga) on handling and release practices.

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 7, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point g a (new): “(ga) recommendedthe following tools are recommended for best handling and release practices: / (i) dipnet; / (ii) short de-hooker, for sharks brought on board; / (iii) line cutter; / (iv) short handled de-hooker, on vessels with freeboard withof less than 2 metres; / (v) long-handled line cutter with length equal to or greater than the vessel’s freeboard length; / (vi) long-handled de-hooker with length equal to or greater than the vessel’s freeboard length.”

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

✦ Formal Corrects punctuation and quotation marks in Article 28(1) on points (o) and (p).

Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 13, Article 28 – paragraph 1 – pointp:point p: (13) Article 28(1) is amended as follows: / (a) point (o) is replaced by the following: / “(o) the Annexes to this Regulation".Regulation”. / (b) the following point is added: / (p)“(p) the reference to Standard Questionnaire on Compliance with IATTC Resolutions set out in Article 26(1).26(1).”

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Regulation (EU) 2022/2056

✦ Adds Article 18(3a) prohibiting longline and purse seine vessels from catching, retaining, transhipping, storing, landing or selling any cetacean.

Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new), Article 18 – paragraph 3 a (new): (3 a)(3a) In Article 18, the following paragraph is added: / 3a. It shall be prohibited for all longline and purse seine vessels to catch, retain on board, tranship, store, land or offer for sale any cetacean (infraorder Cetacea) in whole or in part.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2056

✦ Wording Replaces 'Article 37 (1)' with 'Article 37(1)' in the provision on safe handling and release of cetaceans.

Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new), Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point d: (4a) In Article 37 (1),37(1), point (d) is replaced by the following: / ‘(d) safe handling and release of cetaceans.’

Regulation (EU) 2022/2056

✦ Adds reporting requirements on cetacean conservation and by-catch of Pacific Bluefin Tuna in Article 38(3).

Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 b (new), Article 38 – paragraph 3 – points i a (new) and i b (new): (4b) In Article 38(3), the following points are added: / ‘(ia) the progress with the implementation of this Regulation with respect to the conservation of cetaceans, including information collected on interactions with cetaceans in fisheries managed under the Convention; / (ib) any by catchby-catch of Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis).’

CMM/2024/01 and CMM/2024/02

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

✦ Drops Article 8c(2) on annual reporting of instrumented buoys and adds Article 8b(4) on permanent marking of DFADs with an IOTC unique identifier.

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 2: 2. Union fishing vessels shall annually submit the number of instrumented buoys assigned to them by the end of each calendar year, including instrumented buoys which have been lost, or abandoned and/or discarded by 1° by 1° grid area and month strata and DFAD type to their flag Member State. The information shall be stratified by fleet, year, month and 1° by 1° grid, and expressed as the average daily number of active instrumented buoys in each stratum. Member States shall send that information to the Commission in accordance with Article 51(2).

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 5, Article 8b – paragraph 4: 4. Once established the IOTC DFAD identifier process and not before 1 January 2026, DFADs shall be permanently marked with a specific IOTC DFAD unique identifier as provided by the IOTC secretariat. The marking shall be separate from the marking of the instrumented buoy.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

✦ Adds Article 8c(2) requiring member states to stratify information on instrumented buoys by fleet, year, month and grid area.

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 2: 2. Union fishing vessels shall annually submit the number of instrumented buoys assigned to them by the end of each calendar year, including instrumented buoys which have been lost, or abandoned and/or discarded by 1° by 1° grid area and month strata and DFAD type to their flag Member State. The Member State shall stratify the information by fleet, year, month and 1° by 1° grid, and express it as the average daily number of active instrumented buoys in each stratum. Member States shall send that information to the Commission in accordance with Article 51(2).

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 3: 3. Until the Commission notifies the Member States of the entry into force of the IOTC DFAD register, Member States shall ensure that their flagged vessels record in the appropriate logbook the date, time and geographical coordinates (decimal degrees) of deployment for each instrumented buoy, associated with its instrumented buoy unique reference number.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

✦ Wording Replaces 'buoys' with 'buoys.' and adds 'IOTC DFAD identifier process is established, the' in Article 8c(4).

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 4 – introductory part: 4. Once the IOTC DFAD identifier process is established, the Commission notifies the Member States of the entry into force of the IOTC DFAD register, buoy owners shall insert the following information concerning the deployment of instrumented buoysbuoys.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

✦ Adds Article 8c(5) requiring member states to include buoys deployed before the DFAD Register enters into force and still active.

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 5: 5. Member States shall include buoys deployed before the entry into force of the DFAD Register and still active on 1 January 2026 or on the date immediately before the DFAD Register enters into force.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 8c – paragraph 6: 6. The buoy owner shall notify, through the DFAD Register and within 24 hours of activation, the IOTC Secretariat and its flag Member State when an instrumented buoy is activated, together with the IOTC DFAD unique identifier as provided by the IOTC secretariat.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

✦ Wording Adds 'to' in the reference to paragraph 3 in Article 9(5)(c).

Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7, Article 9 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point c: (c) Unique National Identification number, referred to in paragraph 3.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

✦ Moves the conditions for a shorter prior notification period for bluefin tuna landings to the end of Article 34(3) and adds that estimated quantities may be modified before arrival.

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point 2 -– point a, Article 34 – paragraph 3: 3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States where bluefin tuna is landed may set a shorter period for the prior notification referred to in paragraph 1 for those Union fishing vessels that catch less than 3 specimens of bluefin tuna or less than one ton,1, taking into account the type of fishery products and the distance between the fishing grounds and the port or landing site, and provided that such a shorter period of prior notification does not impair the ability of that Member State to carry out inspections. Member States may apply that derogation only to vessels referred to in Article 26 that catch less than 3 specimens of bluefin tuna or less than one tonne. Where catches are taken between the time of the prior notification and arrival at port, the estimated quantities of bluefin tuna retained on board may be modified at any time prior to arrival.

This paragraph already refers to Article 34 paragraph 1 that covers the conditions of Article 26. Therefore, the amendment removes the repetition of the conditionality.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

✦ Formal Adds '(EC) No' to the reference to Regulation 1224/2009 in Article 34(7).

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b, Article 34 – paragraph 7: 7. Where bluefin tuna is landed in Member States or CPC ports, or Member States or CPC landing facilities, other than the ports or landing facilities of the notified Member State, masters of Union catching vessels, whatever the length overall of the vessel, shall submit, within 48 hours after the completion of the landing, a landing declaration to the Member State or CPC where the bluefin tuna is landed which shall contain the information required in Article 17, paragraph 2, points (a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and the quantities and weight of the blue fin tuna landed.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

✦ Replaces 'carry-over assessment' with 'intra-farm transfer' in Article 56b(1a) on the margin of error for bluefin tuna.

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 56b – paragraph 1a: 1a. The competent authority of the farm Member State may allow a margin of error of up to 5 % between the number of bluefin tuna individuals resulting from the carry-overintra-farm assessmenttransfer and the number of individuals expected to be present in the cage. When the difference is larger than 5%,5 %, the competent authority of the farm Member State shall order the release of the corresponding number of bluefin tuna individuals. The release operation shall be conducted in accordance with Annex XII. Compensation for differences between different cages in the farm shall not be allowed.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

✦ Adds Article 56c(1a) allowing a margin of error of up to 5% between the carry-over assessment and the number of bluefin tuna expected in the cage.

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new), Article 56c – paragraph 1 a (new): (9a) In Article 56c, the following paragraph is inserted: / 1a. The competent authority of the farm Member State may allow a margin of error of up to 5 % between the number of bluefin tuna individuals resulting from the carry-over assessment and the number of individuals expected to be present in the cage. When the difference is larger than 5 %, the competent authority of the farm Member State shall order the release of the corresponding number of bluefin tuna individuals. The release operation shall be conducted in accordance with Annex XII. Compensation for differences between different cages in the farm shall not be allowed.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2053

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new), Article 65: (9a) Article 65 is replaced by the following: / ‘Article 65 / Confidentiality and data protection / 1. Data collected and exchanged in the framework of this Regulation shall be treated in accordance with the applicable rules on confidentiality pursuant to Articles 112 and 113 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. / 2. The collection, transfer, storage or other processing of any data pursuant to this Regulation shall be in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2016/679* and (EU) 2018/1725** of the European Parliament and of the Council. / 3. Personal data processed under this Regulation shall not be stored for a period longer than 10 years, except if those personal data are necessary to enable the follow-up of an infringement, an inspection, or judicial or administrative procedures. In those cases, the personal data may be stored for a maximum of 20 years. If personal data are retained for a longer period, the data shall be anonymised. / *Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). / **Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the fre…

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

Annex III – paragraph 1, Annex IX – point 1 – indent 1: – The vessel shall allow for the recovery and secure transmission of EM Records at the end of each trip.

Regulation (EU) 2021/56

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Finally, the amendments introduced by the Rapporteur enhance the readability and accessibility of the legal text for EU citizens and fishing operators, while ensuring coherence between the Union’s trade policy and its broader international ocean governance and sustainability objectives. Several parts of the proposal required updates to data protection provisions, in order to guarantee additional clarity and transparency for EU citizens and fishing operators when consulting the relevant legislation.

✦ Drops the concluding sentence of the explanatory statement on strict and timely transposition of regional fisheries management organisation rules.

In conclusion, the Rapporteur stresses that the process of transposition should stick to the strict and timely transposition of RFMO rules, thereby welcoming MEPs and the Council to work in this spirit in order to timely transpose rules that have been multilaterally agreed – in some cases, since 2018.