The European Fisheries Control Agency Administrative Board has issued recommendations to guide the work of the Agency for the next five year period. The meeting took place one day after the organisation of a seminar open to EFCA’S stakeholders dedicated to the outcomes of the five year independent external evaluation of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA).
External evaluations are a key tool in assessing the performance of public bodies such as EFCA. The European Commission underlined the overall positive results on all criteria assessed.
The Administrative Board also adopted the Single Programming Document (SPD), which contains the Multiannual work programme 2024- 2027 and the EFCA´s work programme for year 2023, during its 39th meeting, which was held in Vigo.
The activities planned by the Agency span from the operational coordination of fisheries control across the EU, to tasks relating to the international obligations of the Union, from the assistance to Member States to improve the culture of compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), to the European Cooperation on Coast Guard functions.
The budget for 2023 adopted by the Administrative Board is of EUR 30,9 million. The annual programme includes the chartering of three patrol vessels and other control means. EFCA will continue to support the Member States and Commission in the context of cooperation with UK.
Through all these activities, EFCA helps achieving the environmental and socio-economic objectives of the CFP. The Agency contributes to the Sustainable Blue Economy in the context of the “European Green Deal'', one of the Commission’s six political priorities, particularly when it comes to the ‘zero-tolerance approach to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing’ to preserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.
“The Single Programming Document aims to provide the necessary flexibility to respond to evolving needs. This includes ensuring monitoring control and surveillance within the EU sea borders and on land, supporting the international dimension of the CFP, including the fight against IUU fishing, and strengthening cooperation on coast guard functions (CGF),” said Susan Steele, EFCA Executive Director.
Today, the Administrative Board members met and issued the following recommendations:
- Operational coordination
Explore ways to more efficiently address common issues across the various JDPs, including post landing activities, whilst ensuring continued focus on issues unique to individual regions.
Ensure the update and improvement of regional risk assessment and risk management processes.
Continue supporting the European Union and its Member States for the implementation of the international dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy
- Assistance to Cooperation
Maintain a proactive approach and improve the support to Member States in a structured way in important areas for the compliance with the rules of the CFP, whilst considering the extent and nature of EFCA’s role in the regional Control Expert Groups.
- Training and capacity building
Strengthen EFCA’s training and capacity building by exploring modern technologies and approaches to ensure an efficient use of resources and reach wider audiences in Member States and third countries, while also expanding the breadth and relevance of the topics covered
- Smarter information sharing and digital transformation
Upgrade the IT solutions for data sharing and analysis, maximising the value of data for fisheries control purposes in partnership with the European Commission and Member States, and in line with international standards.
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Background
EFCA is a European Union agency that promotes the highest common standards for the control, inspection and surveillance under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). EFCA was established to organise operational coordination activities by the Member States and to assist them to cooperate so as to comply with the rules in order to ensure its effective and uniform application.
The added value of the work of the agency lies in its contribution to sustainable fisheries by enhancing compliance with conservation and management measures and to a European-wide level playing field for the fishing industry.
The Administrative Board is the governing and controlling body of EFCA. It is composed of six members of the European Commission and one representative per Member State. The Administrative Board holds a meeting at least once a year.
Five Year Independent Evaluation
The third evaluation of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) for the period 2017-2021 was carried out by an external research company, selected through a public tendering process. Carrying out this evaluation is a legal obligation in line with EFCA’s Founding Regulation.
The seminar gave the opportunity to the Administrative Board members to analyse and reflect on the main findings of the evaluation report having a transparent exchange of ideas with its stakeholders.