Deploying three offshore patrol vessels for the first time added “fundamental fisheries control capacity to the EU”, according to the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA).

The EFCA says that the chartering of three seaborne inspection platforms—the Ocean Sentinel, the Ocean Protector, and the Ocean Guardian—and one airplane marked a “turning point” and had “concrete results.”

Last year, it also increased the use of satellite imagery and vessel detection technologies, using the European Maritime Safety Agency Copernicus Maritime Surveillance service.

The EFCA’s information systems enabled the collection of data from each member state on fishing vessels, catches and other information.

Joint Deployment Plan (JDP) inspections and suspected infringements evolution

The EFCA’s annual report for 2023 says that cooperative efforts with member states resulted in 44,993 coordinated inspections.

Some 4230 of these inspections led to the identification of at least one suspected infringement.

It says that in the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, the EFCA assisted the European Commission with the analysis of 637 catch certificates and processing statements from four third countries.

It also provided technical support during five evaluation missions to third countries.

Its report says that its working group on Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) was active during 2023 on “the exchange of experiences and best practices from the implementation of REM pilot projects and on the preparation for the future mandatory implementation of REM”.

The EFCA says it continued to assist the Commission in the cooperation with third countries and international organisations dealing with fisheries under the Common Fisheries Policy to strengthen operational coordination and compliance.

Through a project named PESCO, initiated in 2017 and concluded last year, it says it helped to “enhance the contribution of fisheries resources to sustainable development, food security and poverty alleviation in West Africa”.

The agency continued implementation of a project for weighing fishery products in member states.

Two projects in the western Mediterranean supported third countries, including “e-fish Med” which provided training and training material in fisheries control to five North African countries, and a separate project supported monitoring of fishing activity off Algeria.

EFCA executive director Susan Steele

EFCA executive director Susan Steele said she extended her " profound appreciation to all entities and collaborators who have played a part in the achievements of the agency”.

“Our joint endeavours have led to a more uniform and efficient application of the Common Fisheries Policy, fostering fair competition, preserving biodiversity, and securing a future for the industry," she said.