Implementation of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) resolutions into EU law

Regulation (EU) 2022/2343 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EC) No 1984/2003 and (EC) No 520/2007

Update

In the framework of its wider international obligations, the EU participates in efforts made in international waters to ensure that exploitation of marine biological resources contributes to long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability. The IOTC, to which the EU is a contracting party, adopts annual conservation and management measures through resolutions that are binding on the EU. This Regulation implements resolutions adopted between 2020 and 2021 by the IOTC.

What is changing?

Regulation 2022/2343 implements into EU law management, conservation and control measures established by the IOTC that are binding on the EU. The Regulation provides a new and comprehensive set of rules. Provisions concerning IOTC conservation and control measures are amended in the following Regulations:

• Regulation 1936/2001 laying down control measures applicable to fishing for certain stocks of highly migratory fish
• Regulation 1984/2003 introducing a system for statistical monitoring of trade in bluefin tuna, swordfish and bigeye tuna within the Community
• Regulation 520/2007 laying down technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species.

Why?

The EU is a contracting party to the Agreement for the establishment of the IOTC.

Timeline

Date of effect: 22 December 2022

Background

The EU participates in efforts made in international waters to conserve fish stocks. EU Council Decision 98/392/EC approved the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which includes provisions for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks (stocks found both inside and outside exclusive economic zones) and highly migratory fish stocks.

The EU's external relations in fisheries encompass multilateral cooperation and bilateral agreements. The EU is a contracting party of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in specific areas of the world. EU fishing activities outside EU waters and EU actions in RFMOs are based on the same principles and standards as those applicable under the EU common fisheries policy (Regulation 1380/2013, the “Basic Regulation”).

In September 1995 the EU approved the Agreement for the establishment of the IOTC (95/399/EC). The Agreement strengthens international cooperation for the purpose of conserving and making rational use of Indian Ocean tuna and related species. EU fishermen are engaged in fishing for these species in the Indian Ocean.

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