Doubts About Functioning Of EU Fisheries Control Agencyff

The EU Fisheries Control Agency, located in Vigo, Spain, and which has been active already for the past two years, is still raising doubts about its functioning and effectiveness.

This is an agency of the European Community with an own legal status, that is to perform specific tasks within technical, scientific and management system.

In addition to this Fisheries Control Agency in Vigo, Spain, there are three other community offices in Alicante (handling all trademarks and patents) and Bilbao (taking care of Work Safety and Health).

In 2002, Brussels found gaps in the control system within the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The fishermen did not feel that they were being treated under the same criteria while operating in EU waters. Thus, the European fishing industry requested that the EU institutions assume direct responsibility in terms of monitoring. However, the Commission lacked resources, which was the reason for creating the Control Agency.

The agency’s main task is to organize the coordination and cooperation of the inspection activities among the EU countries, so that the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy are respected in an efficient manner.

Since its start, the Agency has promoted the recovery plan for bluefin tuna.

Vigo was chosen as venue for the Agency, given it is the largest European fishing port as far as landings and industry is concerned.