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Mediterranean

EFCA coordinates the implementation of the specific control and inspection programme (SCIP) established for fisheries exploiting ICCAT species in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea and for certain demersal and pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea[1]. The encompassing objective of EFCA’s assistance to the Member States concerned is to ensure the uniform and effective implementation of conservation and control measures applicable to the fisheries[2] covered by the SCIP in this region.

In order to meet this objective, EFCA adopted, in cooperation with the Member States concerned, a dedicated organisational framework for operational coordination of inspection and surveillance activities in the Mediterranean Sea area, known as the Joint Deployment Plan (JDP).

The Mediterranean JDP has been operative since 2008, covering essentially the Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna until 2014, and onwards, extended to other species in the Mediterranean. This JDP has the active participation of Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Each year, the EFCA coordinates the planning, implementation and assessment of the Mediterranean Sea joint campaign at regional level, aimed at ensuring compliance with the conservation and control measures in force, including the ones foreseen under ICCAT and GFCM.

On basis of an assessment of risks of non-compliance with the applicable measures, the Mediterranean Sea Steering Group elaborates an annual strategy for the implementation of joint inspection and surveillance activities to the relevant fisheries, which the Executive Director of EFCA adopts in a JDP Decision.  The operational arrangements are developed and followed up by the Mediterranean Technical Joint Deployment Group (TJDG), which involves close collaboration with the fisheries inspection authorities of the Member States concerned.

The operational arrangements also cover regular exchanges of inspectors to mixed and joint inspection teams, ashore and at sea respectively. The work of mixed and joint inspection teams brings the most tangible evidence of a uniform and effective implementation of inspection and surveillance activities. In addition, specific teams can be mobilised on bluefin tuna farms during the caging activities and in periods of increased activities. On a regular basis, joint coordination teams are established at the EFCA Coordination Centre, bringing together experts from EFCA and Member States for the operational coordination of the joint campaign.

Joint control and inspection activities conducted under the JDP are exhaustive and cover fishing and fishing-related activities including farming, weighing, processing, marketing, transport and storage of fisheries products and sport and recreational fisheries.

Furthermore, EFCA pays special attention to the development and application of standardisation and best practices in all aspects of inspection and surveillance operations. To this end, the EFCA works closely with the Member States concerned in various experts groups, at seminars for staff of fisheries monitoring centres and at workshops for inspectors. Inspection checklists and common procedures are also developed to ensure the harmonisation of inspection procedures. An additional level of assistance is provided by EFCA on missions to Member States concerned, and on the missions of the EFCA chartered Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).

The Mediterranean JDP organisational arrangements guarantee a high level of transparency, uniformity and effectiveness of joint inspection and surveillance activities through the establishment of permanent exchanges of data and operational information, the application of risk management strategy at regional levels and close cooperation of the Member States concerned in the enforcement of conservation and control measures in force.

 

[1] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1986 of 13 December 2018 establishing specific control and inspection programmes for certain fisheries and repealing Implementing Decisions 2012/807/EU, 2013/328/EU, 2013/305/EU and 2014/156/EU

[2] Fisheries covered by the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean JDP, concerned those exploiting:

Stocks of bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (including recreational fisheries), 
Swordfish in the Mediterranean (including recreational fisheries), 
Albacore in the Mediterranean, 
Sardine and anchovy in the Northern and Southern Adriatic, 
European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Strait of Sicily and in GFCM subareas 1, 5, 6, 7 and 9, 10, 11 and in the Northern Adriatic and Southern Adriatic, 
Deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily, and in GFCM subareas 1, 5, 6 and 9, 10, 11 and in the Northern Adriatic and Southern Adriatic, 
Deep-sea shrimps in the Levant and Ionian Sea, 
Blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in GFCM subareas 1, 5, 6, 7 and in the Strait of Sicily, 
Giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in GFCM subareas 9, 10, 11 and in the Strait of Sicily, 
Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in GFCM subareas 5, 6, 9, 11 and in the Northern Adriatic and Southern Adriatic, 
Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in GFCM subareas 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and in the Northern Adriatic and Southern Adriatic, 
Blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea, 
Common sole in in GFCM subarea 17, 
Red coral in the Mediterranean, 
Dolphinfish fisheries in the international waters of the Mediterranean, 
European eel of the species Anguilla anguilla in Union waters of the Mediterranean, 
Species under the landing obligation pursuant to Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.