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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2024)0183 – C10-0006/2024 – 2024/0098(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area

PECH-PR-765292

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Željana Zovko

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

The rapporteur's draft report sets out Parliament's position at first reading on a Commission proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124 on fishing in the GFCM area. It adds new recitals listing GFCM recommendations adopted in 2023, including on fisheries restricted areas, minimum conservation reference sizes, catch documentation schemes and inspection schemes. It amends articles on catch certificates, European eel, fleet capacity, red coral, small pelagic stocks, common dolphinfish, elasmobranchs and the Gulf of Lion fisheries restricted area. It also updates the delegation of powers to the Commission and the annexes on sighting reports and vessel lists.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes to adopt Parliament's position at first reading with amendments that add the 2023 GFCM recommendations, align the text with GFCM measures, and delete provisions that go beyond GFCM recommendations or duplicate existing rules.

Key points

  1. Parliament adopts its position at first reading on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124 on fishing in the GFCM area.
  2. New recitals list GFCM recommendations from 2023 on fisheries restricted areas, minimum conservation reference sizes, catch limits, management plans, inspection schemes and catch documentation schemes.
  3. The definition of 'catch certificate' is changed to refer to fishery products, and 'catch documentation scheme' to fishery product origin.
  4. The chapter on European eel applies to all fishing activities in Mediterranean waters including transitional and brackish waters, but not freshwaters.
  5. Member States must set up a traceability system for eel landings, sales and exports and keep a list of authorised first-marketing bodies.
  6. Member States must transmit data on IUU fishing and fattening activities to the GFCM Secretariat, and may send additional information by the forty-seventh session.
  7. Fleet capacity for demersal trawls fishing key stocks must not exceed the 2014-2017 reference period or another three consecutive years, with levels not exceeding 50%.
  8. Bottom trawlers targeting deep-water red shrimp spawning aggregations must stop fishing for 30 consecutive days between March and December.
  9. Until 8 January 2026, Member States may exempt vessels under 15 metres operating in territorial waters or spending under 24 hours at sea from VMS requirements, and must report derogations to the Commission.
  10. Member States must adopt management measures to ensure giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp stocks reach maximum sustainable yield, and close red coral areas on precautionary grounds when trigger catch levels are reached.
  11. Member States must implement the red coral and turbot Catch Documentation Schemes by the date of entry into force, ensuring traceability along the supply chain.
  12. New articles set up international joint inspection and surveillance schemes for the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean, with rules on conduct of inspections and infringements.

Who is affected

  • EU fishing vessels and fishers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, who face new rules on fleet capacity, gear, landing points and data reporting.
  • Member States, which must set up traceability systems, designate landing points, report data and enforce inspection schemes.
  • The Commission, which must transmit information to the GFCM Secretariat and may adopt delegated acts.
  • Recreational fishers, who face a licensing or registry scheme and prohibitions in certain zones.

Figures and deadlines

  • 30 consecutive days, the stop-fishing period for bottom trawlers targeting deep-water red shrimp spawning aggregations between March and December.
  • 8 January 2026, the date until which Member States may grant derogations from VMS requirements for vessels under 15 metres.
  • 50%, the maximum level by which fleet capacity may go beyond the 2014-2017 reference period.
  • 15 November, the annual deadline for Member States to notify changes to designated landing points and lists of inspectors.
  • 30 November, the annual deadline for the Commission to transmit information on landing points.
  • 15 April, the annual deadline for Member States to notify management measures for small pelagic stocks.
  • 30 April, the annual deadline for the Commission to transmit management measures to the GFCM Secretariat.
  • 31 July, the annual deadline for Member States to submit national data on common dolphinfish to the GFCM Secretariat.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.