Spain boasts about its leadership in fisheries inspections, highlighting ISO certification at EFCA 20th anniversary event in Vigo
Spanish Government hails its fisheries control system amid industry criticism
Spain’s Secretary General for Fisheries, Isabel Artime, has declared Spain a “leader” in fisheries inspection and control, boasting that it is the only EU Member State whose fisheries inspection system holds an ISO quality certification.
Speaking yesterday in Vigo at the 20th anniversary celebration of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), Artime used the platform to highlight Spain’s enforcement credentials at a time when concerns about illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing involving Spanish interests abroad continue to mount.
“Spain is the only Member State with an ISO-certified inspection system,” Artime told delegates, emphasising the importance of fisheries control for the future viability of the sector.
The event, marking two decades of EFCA operations, was held in Vigo — home to the largest fishing port in the European Union. Artime praised Vigo as the “capital of European fishing” and lauded the role of EFCA in ensuring a “homogeneous and coordinated application” of EU fisheries control measures.
Spain positions itself at the centre of EU fisheries enforcement
Artime’s speech underscored Spain’s ambition to be seen as setting the standard for fisheries enforcement within the EU, despite ongoing criticisms from NGOs and international observers about Spanish-linked vessels operating in distant waters.
The Secretary General stressed that new challenges lie ahead with the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy control regulation. She expressed confidence that upcoming reforms would enable the “full modernisation” of Spain’s fishing fleet and further strengthen efforts against illegal fishing.
“The role of EFCA will continue to be of great relevance as we tackle the challenges ahead,” Artime said.
However, critics argue that declarations of leadership from Madrid ring hollow while serious allegations of Spanish-flagged vessels breaching international rules in West African waters remain unresolved.
The Spanish government’s public relations efforts in Vigo signal a clear intent to position Spain as a global standard-bearer for fisheries control — even as legal challenges and political scrutiny continue to grow over enforcement gaps far from European waters.
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