The EU launches a harmonised system to collect recreational fishing catch data, improving fisheries management and sustainability.
New Regulation Aims to Improve Sustainability and Stock Management
The European Union has taken a major step toward harmonising the collection of catch data from recreational fisheries across its coastal waters.
For the first time, a unified system will ensure that data from recreational fishing activities is systematically gathered and reported by Member States to the European Commission.
Understanding the impact of recreational fishing on fish stocks is crucial for sustainable management, and the new implementing regulation aims to standardise data collection, helping to fill a critical knowledge gap in fisheries monitoring.
Closing Knowledge Gaps to Strengthen Fisheries Management
As part of the new EU fisheries control regulation, this initiative will monitor recreational catches and provide policymakers with accurate and reliable data. The goal is to balance the interests of recreational fishermen while safeguarding marine ecosystems and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.
To facilitate this process, the European Commission will develop RecFishing, a digital reporting system designed to streamline data collection across all EU coastal countries. The platform will eliminate disparities in current data collection and improve the reliability of EU-wide fisheries assessments.
New Measures to Combat Illegal Fishing and Address Environmental Concerns
The regulation also introduces measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while tackling the environmental impact of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear. Unlike commercial fishing, where gear is marked with owner identification, recreational fishing gear often lacks clear markings.
To address this, the new rules require the marking of passive recreational fishing gear, such as:
- Nets
- Longlines
- Traps, pots, and creels
Fishing rods are excluded from the regulation and will not require marking.
While many EU Member States already have licensing procedures for recreational fishing, these new measures aim to create a more standardised system across the EU, ensuring consistency and fairness.
Next Steps
The European Commission will continue working with:
- EU coastal countries
- The scientific community
- The recreational fisheries sector
Together, they will refine and implement the measures outlined in the regulation.
Background
The development of this initiative involved extensive collaboration between national authorities, scientists, and key industry stakeholders. Input from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Working Group on Recreational Fisheries Surveys and the European Anglers Alliance played a vital role in shaping a balanced regulatory framework.
In November 2023, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/2842, establishing new rules on marine recreational fisheries. This regulation outlines detailed requirements for catch data submission and the marking of recreational fishing gear, ensuring a higher standard of fisheries management across the EU.
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