Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 28 of September 2022 to the 18 of October 2022 24:00 hrs (See more Information).
Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 28 of September 2022 to the 18 of October 2022 24:00 hrs (See more Information).
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:
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
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.
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
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.
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has received representatives of the Irish Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) on 20 November on board the EFCA chartered patrol vessel Lundy Sentinel while in Cork Harbour. Together with the SFPA, EFCA has organised an event where it has informed on its air and sea assets, which have recently increased.
This event is framed within a patrol mission on fisheries control and maritime surveillance in the Western Waters Joint Deployment Plan (JDP). The objectives of this mission include to participate in control and inspection activities and to contribute to compliance and the effective implementation of risk treatment measures. This patrol mission in Irish waters also supports the ongoing fishery protection services work undertaken by the SFPA in collaboration with the Naval Service and Air Corps.
It was the first mission in which the EFCA chartered aircraft was deployed in Western Waters. It is carrying out aerial fisheries surveillance activities and will operate in tandem with the sea-patrols. Also, a drone provided by European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) was used on board of Lundy Sentinel, offering complementary support to enhance fisheries control by providing additional surveillance capacity.
Regarding the seaborne means of control, the Agency will increase up to three its chartered patrol vessels in the next months.
“For the first time ever, an EFCA directed aircraft will also operate in Irish waters in tandem with the patrol ship Lundy Sentinel, transmitting live aerial patrol footage to the EFCA centre in Vigo and the Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC) in Haulbowline, Cork”.
“This is a valuable aspect to the patrol where inspectors from different Member States work together to deliver harmonized fisheries control with the support of EFCA liaison on board and the EFCA coordination centre in Vigo,” said Susan Steele, EFCA Executive Director.
Background
The EFCA coordinates control activities in Union and international waters and on land. This is done through the Joint Deployment Plans (JDPs), 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.
The RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft system) services or drone services take place within the context of European cooperation on coast guard functions, in which EFCA, EMSA and Frontex provide support to Member States’ national competent authorities ensuring cost effective and coordinated action. Since September 2022, the Agency has chartered its first Fixed Wing Aircraft. The process was done under the inter-institutional framework service contract for Surveillance Aircraft Services for Border & Coast Guard Functions to which EFCA is a participating institution.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2 000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours.
Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 7 of December 2022 to the 27 of December 2022 24:00 hrs (See more Information).
Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 23 of December 2022 to the 30 of December 2022 24:00 hrs (See more Information).
Today the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) presented the three new EFCA´s chartered patrol vessels, which will serve as additional platforms for EU fisheries inspections in European and international waters.
Following the mandate from the EU institutions to strengthen EFCA´s operational capacity for assisting the Member States and the European Commission in the monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries, as required by the Common Fisheries Policy, EFCA has reinforced its fleet with three new offshore patrol vessels, following the award of a public call for tender. These are the only patrol vessels whose operations are managed by an EU Agency. They have been named as Ocean Guardian, Ocean Protector and Ocean Sentinel.
All three vessels fly the Portuguese flag, and will be deployed primarily as fisheries patrol vessels to support MS in the different EFCA joint deployment plans from the Mediterranean and Black Sea to the Western Waters, North Sea, Baltic Sea, NAFO and NEAFC.
The vessels will also be deployed as fisheries patrol vessel in the scope of multipurpose operations in the framework of European cooperation on coast guard functions. The three vessels, during their operations will also be available for supporting other coast guard functions, inter alia, providing support during search and rescue situations, maritime surveillance and pollution response.
In addition to seaborne means, EFCA has also contracted an aircraft to carry out aerial surveillance services for fisheries control, thus providing an additional tool to support MS in the different EFCA joint deployment plans.
"Today is an important milestone in the history of the Agency. The chartering of three inspection platforms marks a turning point and materializes our strong commitment to support Member States authorities and the European Commission promoting compliance with the fisheries rules, as well as contributing for safe, secure and sustainable sea. The vessels´ modern facilities and technologies ensure a safe and comfortable stay onboard. Their deployment could be seen as a specific oceans safeguarding measure which enhances the EU capacity to improve the effectiveness of fisheries control operations in the EU and beyond ” said Susan Steele, EFCA Executive Director.
BACKGROUND
Contractual information
Following an open call for tender, in June 2022 EFCA awarded the contract for chartering three offshore fisheries patrol vessels to a consortium led by Sentinel Marine Netherlands. The framework contract between EFCA and the consortium has been signed for an initial period of 24 months and may be renewed up to a total contract duration of six years.
Regarding the airborne control means, in September 2022 EFCA awarded a Specific Contract for aerial surveillance services for fisheries control to DEA. The process was done under the inter-institutional framework service contract for Surveillance Aircraft Services for Border & Coast Guard Functions to which EFCA is a participating institution.
The aircraft, which is a DA62 fit for mid-range maritime multirole surveillance missions, will be deployed until the end of May 2023 to support MS in their specific JDP under direct operational management of EFCA. The intention is to have an aircraft deployed for fisheries patrol purposes on a more permanent basis and in tandem with EFCA chartered OPVs as appropriate.
Summary of the technical data of the vessels
The three EU ships are Multi-Role Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRV) with overall length of 62 meters each. Two were built in 2018 with the third one in 2020.
All of them have a Dynamic Position System to better maintain their position and balance the environmental forces such as wind, waves and currents during the duty while reducing fuel consumption to a minimum.
The offshore fisheries patrol vessels are fully equipped with ergonomic and modern onboard facilities to ensure a comfortable stay and an enjoyable working environment during the patrols, including space for physical exercise and after work relax.
On each of the ships seven ensuite cabins for single or double use will be available to the Agency, as well as a meeting room with digital projection capacity and high broadband internet connection for live video conferencing as well as access to various fisheries control systems/databases.
The vessels were also required to prove ecological responsibility and have been certified with the ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management.
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.
L’analyse préliminaire de l’opération conjointe de contrôle des pêches « PESCAO - African Nemo » au Cap-Vert, en Gambie et au Sénégal montre que le soutien de l’AECP est efficace et essentiel pour renforcer la coordination régionale et décourager la pêche illicite
Aujourd’hui, une opération de contrôle des pêches couvrant les eaux du Cap-Vert, de la Gambie et du Sénégal en Afrique de l’Ouest, s’est achevée avec succès. La campagne conjointe, d’une durée de deux semaines, a été coordonnée par la Commission sous-régionale des pêches (CSRP). L’opération reposait sur le soutien de l’Agence européenne de contrôle des pêches (AECP), dans le cadre du programme PESCAO financé par l’UE, et de la marine française, dans le cadre de l’opération « Grand African NEMO 23.1 ». Cette coopération illustre très concrètement les synergies entre les initiatives financées par l’UE et celles des États membres de l’UE en matière de contrôle et d’inspection des pêches dans la région.
L’AECP et la CSRP, organisme régional de pêche basé à Dakar (Sénégal), qui rassemble 7 pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest[1] pour coordonner le contrôle et la surveillance des pêches, ont établi le centre de coordination à Praia (COSMAR), au Cap-Vert. Le centre a bénéficié d’une analyse en temps réel de l’imagerie satellitaire et des systèmes de repérage des navires par des experts de l’AECP, en s’appuyant sur son expérience dans les eaux de l’UE.
En outre, l’AECP a affrété un aéronef pour effectuer une surveillance aérienne tout au long de l’opération, afin de faciliter la réalisation d’observations et la détection d’infractions potentielles. L’AECP a relevé l’effet dissuasif potentiel des moyens aériens. Un portail à distance a permis à l’AECP et au centre de coordination de suivre la surveillance aérienne en temps réel, et a fourni en direct des vidéos et des images des navires de pêche.
L’opération a également concerné les moyens de contrôle de la marine française déployés dans la zone, notamment un avion de surveillance Falcon-50 et le navire patrouilleur « Premier maître L’Her », qui a embarqué un inspecteur cap verdien.
En outre, l’AECP a soutenu une opération de recherche et de sauvetage qui a été gérée sous l’autorité du Centre commun de coordination du sauvetage du Cap-Vert, après que son avion a intercepté un appel de détresse d’un voilier, qui a été rapidement assisté par le COSMAR.
« PESCAO - African Nemo » est la 12ème opération conjointe de contrôle organisée dans le cadre du programme PESCAO financé par l’UE, auquel l’AECP participe en fournissant une assistance technique à la CSRP et au Comité des pêches du golfe de Guinée occidental et central (basé à Tema, Ghana), ainsi qu’à leurs pays membres. Le programme PESCAO vise, entre autres objectifs, à améliorer la gouvernance régionale de la pêche en Afrique de l’Ouest pour lutter contre la pêche illégale, afin de maintenir des stocks halieutiques sains dans une région du monde où la pêche constitue l’une des principales sources de protéines et de moyens de subsistance de la population locale.
[1] Cap-Vert, Gambie, Guinée, Guinée-Bissau, Mauritanie, Sénégal et Sierra Leone
Preliminary analysis of joint fisheries control operation “PESCAO African Nemo” in Cape Verde, Gambia and Senegal proves EFCA’s support successful and essential to enhance regional coordination and deter illegal fishing
Today sees the end of a successful fisheries control operation which has been ongoing since the 6 February the waters of Cape Verde, Gambia and Senegal in Western Africa, under the coordination of the Subregional Fisheries Commission (SRFC). The action counted on the support of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), in the framework of the EU-funded Programme PESCAO and the French Navy, through the operation “Grand African NEMO 23.1.”. This cooperation is a very concrete illustration of the synergies between EU-funded and EU Member States initiatives on fisheries control and inspection in the region.
The EFCA and the SRFC, a regional fisheries body based in Dakar (Senegal) that brings together 7 Western African countries[1] to coordinate fisheries control and surveillance, established the single coordination centre in Praia (COSMAR), Cape Verde. The centre benefitted from the assistance by means of satellite imagery and vessels’ tracking systems analysis, provided by EFCA experts in real time, building on its experience in EU waters.
In addition, EFCA chartered an aircraft to carry out aerial surveillance throughout the whole operation, to facilitate the performance of sightings and detection of potential infringements. EFCA had noted the potential deterrent effect of the aerial means.- Also, a remote portal enabled EFCA and the coordination centre to follow the aerial surveillance in real time and provided live stream video and images of fishing vessels.
The operation also involved the French navy control means deployed in the area: a Falcon-50 surveillance plane and the patrol vessel “Premier maître L’Her”, who took on board a Cape Verdean inspector.
In addition, EFCA supported a search and rescue operation which was managed under the authority of the JRCC of CV after its aircraft intercepted a distress message from a sailing boat, which was promptly assisted by COSMAR.
“PESCAO African Nemo” is the 12th joint operation carried out under the framework of the EU-funded PESCAO programme, to which EFCA participates providing technical assistance to the SRFC and the Fisheries Committee of the West and Central Gulf of Guinea (based in Tema, Ghana), and their member countries. The PESCAO programme aims, amongst other objectives, at improving regional fisheries governance in Western Africa to fight illegal fishing, in order to maintain healthy fish stocks in a region of the world where fishing provides one of the main sources of protein and livelihoods to the local population.
[1] Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, and Sierra Leone
Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 18 of February 2023 to the 10 of March 2023 23:59 hrs (See more Information).
Denmark has established a new Real-Time Closure (RTC) in their waters of The Skagerrak :
For the period from the 17 of February 2023 to the 9 of March 2023 23:59 hrs (See more Information).