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EFCA adopts its Work Programme for 2021 and multiannual strategy to address evolving needs and priorities

The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) Administrative Board held its 34th meeting on 14 October. During this meeting, that took place online this time due to the COVID-19 related restrictions, the Administrative Board members elected a new Chair, Ms Veronika Veits and Deputy Chair Ms Melanie Seibert.

The Single Programming Document 2021-2025 was adopted. This document presents a complete overview of the activities programmed in order to fulfil EFCA´s mandate, as well as the resources allocated to the Agency in accordance with planned objectives for the next five years.  

The budget for 2021 adopted by the Administrative Board is of EUR 17.6 million, subject to the adoption of the European Union (EU) budgetary authority. The total number of posts in the establishment plan remains stable at 61.

The Agency coordinates control and inspection activities in the context of the joint deployment plans (JDPs), the legal vehicle through which EFCA organises the deployment of human and material resources pooled by Member States. EFCA’s work will continue to revolve around four strategic areas: operational coordination, risk assessment and data analysis, compliance with international provisions capacity building and support to coast guard functions.

The SPD 2021-2025 addresses the new challenges post-2020 and aims to provide the necessary flexibility to respond to evolving needs. The Agency aims at enhancing the close cooperation between EU Member States, in the framework of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance measures of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). A compliant, efficient and uniform implementation of the policy guarantees the sustainability of the fisheries resources.

Moreover, the cooperation is also extended to the support the Agency provides to Member States through the European Coast Guard cooperation with the two other EU agencies in the maritime domain, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

EFCA’s work also supports the EU in the international dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy, ensuring the compliance to the international provisions, the assistance to the implementation of the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Regulation and the direct cooperation with third countries, when requested.

“Notwithstanding the current uncertainty of the pandemic, EFCA´s duty remains to provide critical support to Member States and to contribute to promote a level playing field in EU fisheries and to ensuring sustainability. We strive to be up to the challenge of maintaining these objectives while adapting to the new situation," said Pascal Savouret, EFCA Executive Director.