The EFCA coordinates control activities in Union and international waters and on land. This is done through the joint deployment plans, the vehicle through which the EFCA organises the deployment of human and material resources of control and inspection pooled by Member States and EFCA. The deployment of pooled national means is coordinated by the EFCA in cooperation with Member State and frequently with the presence of national coordinators at EFCA premises.
While Member States are responsible for enforcing the rules on their own territory, in waters under their sovereignty and jurisdiction and on fishing vessels flying their flag, wheresoever their activity is carried out, the Agency has been designed to act as a facilitator enhancing cooperation and ensuring that legislation is implemented in a systematic, uniform and effective way. Pooling national efforts at European level should overcome shortcomings which may arise because of the different resources and priorities authorities allocate to their own controls and inspections.
In Union waters, a JDPs can be established if a specific control and inspection plan is adopted by the Commission. In international waters, the Commission has entrusted the Agency with the implementation, through a JDP, of the international obligations of the EU following the existence of an International Control Schemes adopted by the respective Regional Fisheries Management organisation (RFMO).