Transposing ICCAT fisheries measures into EU law

On 17 June 2016, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation to cover the conservation of tuna and tuna-like species as well as the management and control of fisheries targeting these stocks in the Atlantic Ocean (including adjacent seas such as the Mediterranean).

This proposal aims to transpose into European Union (EU) law a number of binding recommendations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), some dating back to 2008. As a contracting party to this regional fisheries management organisation, the European Union prepares and participates in the adoption of these recommendations. To become applicable, notably to operators such as the masters of fishing vessels, these measures must be enacted in EU law. The European Commission is also proposing that future ICCAT recommendations for some fisheries management measures should become part of EU law through delegated acts.

In October 2017, after interinstitutional negotiations, the European Parliament was due to vote on a draft regulation on fisheries measures in the ICCAT area, with a view to reaching a first-reading agreement.

Author: Jean Weissenberger

• Primary Source

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Transposing international measures for Atlantic tuna fisheries into EU law (EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress, November 2016) http://www.europeansources.info/record/transposing-international-measures-for-atlantic-tuna-fisheries-into-eu-law/

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