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DRAFT OPINION (2024/2030(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU agencies for the financial year 2023

PECH-PA-765281

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Giuseppe Lupo

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The Committee on Fisheries gives its draft opinion on discharge for the 2023 budget of the European Fisheries Control Agency, asking the Committee on Budgetary Control to include its points in the discharge resolution. It takes note of the Court of Auditors' report, welcomes the Agency's activities and budget implementation, and asks the Agency to fix irregularities in framework contracts and repeated carry-overs. It stresses the Agency's role in fisheries control and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and says its financial and human resources must match its growing tasks. It calls for more cooperation with other EU agencies, more training for third countries, and progress on gender parity and transparency. It proposes that discharge be granted to the Agency's Executive Director for the 2023 financial year.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries proposes that discharge be granted to the Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency for the 2023 financial year, while asking the Agency to address irregularities, resource needs, gender parity and transparency.

Key points

  1. The Committee on Fisheries calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its points into the discharge resolution.
  2. It takes note of the Court of Auditors' report on the Agency's 2023 accounts, the Agency's annual activity report and the Administrative Board's assessment.
  3. It welcomes the Court's finding that the accounts comply with the Financial Regulation and Commission accounting rules, but notes with concern irregularities in framework contracts and repeated carry-overs, and asks the Agency to fix this.
  4. It notes the Agency's EUR 30,1 million EU budget contribution in 2023, up 1 % on 2022, and that its budget and staff are among the lowest of EU agencies.
  5. It acknowledges 98 % implementation of the annual work programme and overall budget implementation of 99,9 % for commitments and 74,8 % for payments.
  6. It recalls the Agency's role in the common fisheries policy and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and welcomes more offshore patrol and aerial surveillance activities.
  7. It notes the PESCAO project's conclusion, which brought EUR 3,8 million since 2018, and stresses the importance of similar projects, especially for the reformed Fisheries Control Framework.
  8. It stresses that member states are primarily responsible for fisheries control, that the revised Fisheries Control Regulation will increase the Agency's workload, and that its resources must be adequate.
  9. It notes 44 993 inspections in 2023 leading to 4230 suspected infringements, and stresses the role of inspections in managing fish stocks and ensuring a level playing field.
  10. It highlights the Agency's role in harmonised application of EU control systems against illegal fishing and in capacity-building and training for third countries.
  11. It welcomes cooperation with FRONTEX and EMSA under Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2019/473, calls for continued efforts, and suggests more cooperation with the European Environment Agency and the European Space Agency.
  12. It notes the full establishment plan with 74 of 77 temporary agents appointed, a EUR 1,4 million rise in staff expenses, and calls for more progress on gender parity and transparency about stakeholder meetings.

Who is affected

  • The European Fisheries Control Agency: its 2023 budget implementation is assessed and it is asked to fix irregularities and improve parity and transparency.
  • The Committee on Budgetary Control: asked to include the opinion's points in its discharge resolution.
  • Member states: reminded they are primarily responsible for fisheries control.
  • Third countries: benefit from the Agency's capacity-building and training.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 30,1 million: EU budget contribution to the Agency in 2023.
  • 1 %: increase in the Agency's EU contribution compared with 2022.
  • 98 %: implementation of the annual work programme in 2023.
  • 99,9 %: budget implementation in terms of commitments.
  • 74,8 %: budget implementation in terms of payments.
  • EUR 3,8 million: total revenue from the PESCAO project since 2018.
  • 44 993 inspections and 4230 suspected infringements reported in 2023.
  • 74 temporary agents appointed out of 77 authorised; EUR 1,4 million increase in staff expenses.