Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO)

2023/0056(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 553 votes to 51, with 11 abstentions, a resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/833 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure.

The proposed regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2019/833 by transposing into Union law the conservation and enforcement measures adopted at the NAFO annual meeting in September 2022.

The Regulation implements the conservation and enforcement measures adopted at the September 2022 NAFO Annual Meeting with respect to:

- new binding measures for the conservation of fishery resources under its purview as regards new duties of flag States relating to the submission of research plans, vessel requirements to carry out research activities;

- provisions for trial tows when a vessel enters a fishing Division for the first time;

- provisions for the closure of Division 3M for redfish;

- prohibition of landing, transhipment and retention on board of Greenland shark;

- the cross-listing of vessels carrying out illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing from other regional fisheries management organisations.

The Regulation also delegates to the Commission the power to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/833 with regard to Member States' obligations relating to the presentation of research programmes and the requirements that vessels must meet to carry out research activities if NAFO changes these measures in the future.