Illegal fishing

Member States had to inspect at least five per cent of fish landed or transhipment operations by third country fishing vessels per year; certain "suspected" ships had to be inspected in all cases (Article 9). Where an inspection revealed that the vessel was involved in IUU fishing activities, the landing of fish had to be refused; incomplete documents were, though, allowed to be completed within a fortnight. Afterwards, the port Member State could dispose of the catch (Article 10).

With regard to the second priority, Regulation 1005/2008 again introduced a number of measures to fight IUU fishing. The EU authorities were requested to collect all data and information on IUU fishing (Article 27). When the Commission had "well-founded doubt" that a vessel was engaged in IUU fishing activities, it had to issue an alert and publish it. Following that information, EU Member States were requested to exercise particular attention with regard to that specific vessel and reinforce their enquiries, investigations and inspections. The Commission had to enter into contact with the vessel’s flag state - in cases, where such a flag state was known, draw its attention to its findings and request cooperation. When this step was unsuccessful and it was established that a vessel was engaged in IUU fishing, the Commission could place it on the EU IUU vessel list ("black list"). This list was published in Commission Regulation 2015/1296 and distributed to Member States and the relevant international organisations and bodies.