The European Commission has published the 2020-2023 report on its activities to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, which states that a key achievement is the amended IUU Regulation, adopted within the revision of the EU fisheries control system.
The amendments introduced the CATCH IT system, which aims to support the implementation of the EU IUU catch certification scheme for imported fishery products. EU importers and Member States’ authorities will be using CATCH from 2026, while non-EU countries can join voluntarily.
‘CATCH will contribute to a better protection of the EU market and its consumers against imported products obtained from IUU fishing,’ said Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.
‘This IT system has a potential to become a reference point as a digital environment for catch documentation schemes and international trade flows of fishery products thanks to its web-based approach and considerable interoperability opportunities.’
These amendments also modify the content of the catch certificate and accompanying documents to improve traceability and facilitate IUU controls of fishery products destined for the EU market.
Measures applying to non-cooperating countries in the fight against IUU fishing have been reinforced.
Between 2020 and 2023, the Commission actively cooperated and provided support to international partners to promote fisheries compliance and fight against IUU fishing. This was done through bilateral IUU dialogues with non-EU countries, IUU working groups and regional and multilateral frameworks.
The Commission has also played an essential role in promoting anti-IUU fishing measures within RFMOs and actively advocated for the ratification and effective implementation of the FAO Port States Measures Agreement in all its external fisheries relations, including through financial support to the FAO.