EU Parliament Backs Law By Thomas Bajada For Stronger Fishing Enforcement

The European Parliament has approved new legislation aimed at strengthening the enforcement of internationally agreed fisheries rules, with Maltese MEP Thomas Bajada serving as Rapporteur for the proposal.

The law incorporates into EU legislation conservation and control measures agreed between 2018 and 2024 by six Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). These organisations oversee the management of shared fish stocks and establish rules for vessels operating beyond national waters.

According to Bajada, the legislation will help protect marine ecosystems while creating a fairer level playing field between European fishers and vessels from third countries. He said common rules must be backed by effective enforcement to ensure they are meaningful.

Speaking before the vote, Bajada stressed that European fishers should not be expected to comply with strict conservation measures while vessels from outside the EU operate without equivalent oversight. He also called for greater investment in modern surveillance, including drones and advanced monitoring technology, to detect illegal fishing activities more effectively.

Bajada urged the European Commission to take stronger action against countries and vessels that repeatedly fail to respect internationally agreed fisheries rules. He also argued that legislation should be simple and practical, allowing fishers to clearly understand their obligations without unnecessary complexity.

Following the vote, Bajada said the result demonstrated Parliament's commitment to both environmental protection and fairness for Europe's fishing communities. He added that the EU must not only introduce regulations but also ensure they are properly enforced to protect those who follow the rules.

The legislation was approved by the European Parliament with 559 votes in favour, 48 against and 62 abstentions. It will now require formal approval by the Council before entering into force. The European Union is currently a contracting party to 18 Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

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