Legislative Observatory
European Parliament
Please fill in this field to find a procedure

Laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Area covered under the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)

2022/0348(COD)

The Committee on Fisheries adopted the report by João PIMENTA LOPES (GUE/NGL, PT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Area covered under the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).

The Commission's proposal aims to implement the conservation, management and control measures of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) adopted since 2016 and to establish a mechanism for implementing future measures.

The committee responsible proposed the rejection of this legislative proposal and called on the Commission to withdraw it.

In the explanatory memorandum accompanying the draft legislative resolution, the rapporteur noted that the Commission proposal introduces dynamic references into EU law as a tool for swift implementation of SIOFA rules. The many instances where the proposal makes use of dynamic references impair the right of EU citizens and operators to acquaint themselves of the full scope and content of those obligations in their own language. The rapporteur recalled that for obligations to be applicable they need to be published in the Official Journal.

In the spirit of preserving consistency with other instruments transposing RFMO rules, the rapporteur emphasised that amendments adopted by SIOFA to CMMs should be given effect into EU law at least through delegated empowerments permitting the Commission to update the obligations in accordance with Union law, making them available for the operators in their latest version. SIOFA rules - as any other transposition of RFMO decisions - should remain conditional to delegated powers of the European Commission.

The rapporteur further noted the proposal of the European Commission in many cases goes beyond the requirements of SIOFA CCMs and invites the Commission to respect the original wording of SIOFA provisions.