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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2150(DEC))

On European Commission: Consolidated annual accounts of the European Union - Financial year 2022 - European Fisheries Control Agency

PECH-PA-756035

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Pierre Karleskind

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The Committee on Fisheries suggests that the Committee on Budgets grant discharge to the Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency for the 2022 budget. It notes the Court of Auditors' report, the Agency's budget and staffing, its inspection results, and its cooperation with other agencies. It asks the Agency to provide more detail on changes in inspection numbers, to step up gender parity efforts, and to keep publishing information on meetings with lobbyists.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries proposes that discharge be granted to the Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency for the 2022 budget, and asks the Committee on Budgets to include its suggestions in its motion for a resolution.

Key points

  1. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on Budgets to include its suggestions in its motion for a resolution.
  2. It takes note of the Court of Auditors' report on the Agency's 2022 accounts, the Agency's annual activity report and the Administrative Board's assessment.
  3. It expresses satisfaction that the Agency's accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 comply with the Financial Regulation and Commission accounting rules, while acknowledging observations on procurement, management and control systems and carry-overs.
  4. It notes the Agency received a EUR 29,34 million Union contribution in 2022, a 40 % increase on 2021, and that its budget and staff are among the lowest of Union agencies.
  5. It acknowledges that the Agency implemented 95,4% of its annual work programme, with budget implementation of 99,4 % for commitments and 57,8 % for payments.
  6. It recalls the Agency's role in the common fisheries policy, fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, welcomes the strengthening of its chartered offshore patrol vessel and its participation in coalitions such as the PESCAO operation.
  7. It stresses that member states are primarily responsible for controlling fishing activities, that the revised Fisheries Control Regulation will increase the Agency's supportive workload, and that its financial and human resources must be sufficient.
  8. It notes 47 592 inspections in 2022 leading to 4854 suspected infringements, decreases of 11 % and 1,5 % on 2021, and invites the Agency to explain these changes.
  9. It highlights the Agency's role in encouraging harmonised application of EU control systems against illegal fishing and in offering capacity-building and training to third countries.
  10. It takes note of the Agency's cooperation with FRONTEX and EMSA under Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2019/473, calls for continued efforts and suggests increased cooperation with the European Environment Agency.
  11. It notes that on 31 December 2022 the establishment plan was fully filled with 74 temporary agents out of 77 authorised, and deplores that women account for only 38 % of staff at grade AD 8 or higher, calling for more progress on gender parity.
  12. It calls on the Agency to keep publishing information on meetings between its executive director and staff and organisations or self-employed individuals engaged in Union policy-making, and proposes granting discharge to the Executive Director for the 2022 budget.

Who is affected

  • The European Fisheries Control Agency: its 2022 accounts, budget implementation, staffing, inspections and transparency practices are assessed.
  • Member states: they remain primarily responsible for controlling fishing activities, with the Agency's tasks being supportive.
  • The Committee on Budgets: asked to incorporate the suggestions into its motion for a resolution.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 29,34 million: Union contribution received by the Agency in 2022.
  • 40 %: increase in the Union contribution in respect of 2021.
  • 95,4%: share of the annual work programme implemented in 2022.
  • 99,4 %: budget implementation in terms of commitments.
  • 57,8 %: budget implementation in terms of payments.
  • 47 592 inspections: reported by the Agency in 2022.
  • 4854 suspected infringements: detected from inspections in 2022.
  • 11 % and 1,5 %: decreases in inspections and suspected infringements on 2021 figures.