The EFCA adopts its Work Programme and Budget for 2013

The EFCA has adopted its Multiannual Work Programme for 2013-2017 and the Annual Work Programme at the meeting of the Administrative Board held on 09-10 of October. Moreover, the budget adopted in the meeting for 2013 is of €9,216,900, the same figure as the final budget of 2012, and subject to the definitive adoption of the EU Budget for 2013 by the Budgetary Authority in the coming weeks.In addition, the Italian Dario Cau has been elected Deputy Chair of the Administrative Board.

The EFCA has to deliver its core activities within the budget constraints for the next year. Against this backdrop, during 2013, the core operational activity will be the implementation of the JDPs. But more coordination tasks could be operated from the EFCA ops rooms. The JDPs in force are cod and salmon (since July) in the Baltic Sea, cod in North Sea and part of Western Waters, pelagic fisheries in Western Waters, NAFO and NEAFC regulatory areas and species, bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic and operational support to Bulgaria and Romania for the monitoring of turbot fisheries.

The EFCA will be carrying out its core activities and adapting to the evolution towards the multispecies specific control and inspection programme to be decided by the European Commission in line with the new Common Fisheries Policy regional approach. The training aspect of the work will be crucial as well. In 2013 the core curriculum will be nearing completion and its input will contribute to and apply the CFP effectively and in a uniform manner.

The capacity building process will continue to support EFCA operations with the Member States and the European Commission, through horizontal support activities such as the reflections on the discard ban, Maritime surveillance and possible new developments, enhancement of ICT projects and the acquisition of means for the Member States. Finally, on the cooperation with third countries on Commission request, operational coordination may be envisaged, in particular with Norway in the North Sea, and Pelagic Western Waters JDPs; Russia in the Baltic Sea and NAFO-NEAFC; Canada and USA, and Mediterranean and Black Sea third countries.

“During 2013 we will see the adoption of a reformed Common Fisheries Policy, providing a good opportunity to achieve the objective of sustainable fishing with good compliance. Efficient control right across Europe is essential to the achievement of that objective and thus the role of the EFCA in promoting the highest common standards is of utmost importance,” said Pascal Savouret, EFCA Executive Director.