In a move aimed at streamlining data collection and enhancing sustainability, the European Commission has proposed a significant simplification of how fisheries and aquaculture statistics are gathered across the EU.
The new proposal consolidates five existing regulatory frameworks into a single, integrated system. This change is expected to reduce the administrative burden on Member States by allowing the reuse of data already collected by the Commission, eliminating duplication and saving valuable time and resources.
Key Innovations in the Proposal:
Reuse of Administrative Data: Eurostat will now be able to compile statistics on catches and fleet activity without requiring additional reporting from Member States.
Expanded Data Scope: For the first time, data will be collected on discarded catches, recreational fisheries, sensitive species, landings from third-country fleets in EU ports, and organic aquaculture production.
Global Cooperation: The new structure will support the production of aggregated figures for transmission to international organizations, promoting better global data alignment.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, emphasized the efficiency gains:
By smartly reusing existing data, we are ensuring that EU policies are better informed and more efficient to support sustainable prosperity.”
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, added:
This proposal will not only improve the quality and availability of fisheries and aquaculture data but also reduce the administrative burden on Member States. It will allow us to make more informed decisions and support the long-term sustainability of our fisheries more efficiently.”
The proposal marks a pivotal step toward modernizing EU fisheries governance, aligning data practices with sustainability goals, and fostering international collaboration.
Learn more here