Press Release: Commission: stricter sanctions are needed to deter infringements to fisheries rules

The European Commission has published its fifth annual report on serious infringements to the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which shows that the number of such breaches detected rose slightly from 9,502 in 2003 to 9,660 in 2004. Persistent problems with the standardisation of data make it difficult to draw solid conclusions from the figures. However, it is clear from the continuing high level of reported infringements that the level of sanctions imposed by the Member States remains far too low to act as an effective deterrent. Indeed, the average fine imposed fell by almost 50%, from € 4,664 in 2003, to € 2,272 in 2004. The total amount of penalties in 2004 thus represented no more than 2/1000ths of the value of fish landings during that year. Following consultations with the Member States last year, the Commission is committed to improving the usefulness of the data provided by, for example, revising the typology of serious infringements.