Collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy. Recast

2015/0133(COD)

PURPOSE: to establish a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: a number of amendments are to be made to Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy. In the interests of clarity, that Regulation should be recast.

Data collection is essential for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as a basis for founding it on the best possible scientific advice.

Data are needed to evaluate the state of fish stocks, the profitability of the different segments of the sector and the effects of fisheries and aquaculture on the ecosystem. Data are also needed to evaluate EU policies.

For this reason, an EU framework for the collection and management of fisheries data was established in 2000, and then reformed in 2008 resulting in the Data Collection Framework (DCF).

The 2013 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 needs to be matched by adaptations in the supporting scientific advice and therefore the data needed for it. This is particularly relevant in order to achieve maximum sustainable yield (MSY) at the latest by 2020, to manage fisheries taking account of their impacts on the ecosystem, and to gradually introduce a landing obligation. The reform of the CFP also requires changes in the way data are obtained, e.g. regionalisation and devolution of tasks from the European Union to Member States in the context of regional cooperation.

The revision of the DCF is part of the Commission's Regulatory Fitness Programme (REFIT) which seeks to cut red tape and remove regulatory burden.

CONTENT: the changes to be made to the rules laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 are essential because of the new needs arising from the CFP reform. The proposal retains the key provisions of the current system: the establishment of an EU Multi-annual Programme, to be implemented by national Data Collection plans; key obligations in the form of commitments by Member States in relation to collection, storage, protection and provision of data; provisions on rights and obligations of end-users of data; and provisions on cooperation within and between Member States, as well as with and between scientific and management bodies. 

The proposed modifications compared to the current DCF Regulation are presented as follows:

  • remove overlaps and seeking synergies between EU legislations and reducing costs of the entire system of marine data. The DCF will only create data collection obligations insofar as they are not already covered by other EU legislation;
  • maximise synergies with environmental law: the current DCF does not provide sufficient data on some ecosystem impacts of fisheries which are however required for implementing efficiently the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This is the case of incidental catches of protected species (birds, marine mammals, turtles etc.), effects on food webs (predator-prey relations), and the impact of fishing on habitats;
  • reduce the level of prescriptions set at EU level without compromising data quality: the legislation should be more result-oriented and leave more flexibility to Member States regarding implementation. By ensuring more and earlier involvement of the Member States, in the context of regional cooperation, on decision making about methodologies to be followed or quality targets to be met, the DCF can be greatly simplified and the data collection system made more flexible;
  • reduce the details decided by or reported to the Commission: currently, national programmes describe in great detail what will be done, how and by whom in each Member State. The objective is to reduce this significantly. With the move away from triennial to multi-annual EU and national programmes, Member States will be in a position to plan their work over a longer period;
  • collect once, use several times: the Commission proposes, as a first proposal, to make the DCF the main legal instrument by which Member States are to provide any data necessary to data users (end-users and other interested parties), whatever the source of the legal obligation under which data are collected (DCF or any other EU legislation). The second proposal should enhance cooperation between Member States to develop compatible data storage and exchange systems and formats in line with those agreed under Directive 2007/2/EC and promote compatibility between data formats used under other Union legislation.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS:  none which are not already foreseen in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

DELEGATED ACTS: the proposal contains provisions empowering the Commission to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.