Regulation (EU) 2023/675 laying down conservation and management measures for the conservation of southern bluefin tuna

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2023/675 - adopted by the co-legislators on 15 March 2023 - laying down conservation and management measures for the conservation of southern bluefin tuna.

Further information:

This Regulation implements into EU law management, conservation and control measures established under the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) that are binding on the European Union (EU). It provides for delegated powers to be granted to the European Commission, to cater for amendments to CCSBT measures and ensure that EU fishing vessels are on an equal footing with those of other contracting parties.

The CCSBT is the regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) responsible for managing Southern bluefin tuna through its area of distribution. The CCSBT has a mandate to adopt conservation and enforcement measures for the fisheries under its purview, and these are binding on its contracting parties. It does not provide for the accession of regional economic integration organisations, such as the EU. However, an Extended Commission has being established in which the EU can participate as a member. Decisions adopted by this Commission eventually become decisions of the CCSBT as a general rule.

The EU has no fishing vessels that target Southern bluefin tuna and it has reported only accidental by-catches of this species in the past and none since 2012. Nevertheless, it was deemed appropriate to comply with CCSBT measures that relate to the activities and characteristics of the EU fleet and to the trade in Southern bluefin tuna.

The draft law was adopted by the European Commission on 28 July 2021. The Act was formally signed by the co-legislators on 15 March 2023 and published in the Official on 24 March 2023.

Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)424: Proposal for a Regulation laying down conservation and management measures for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:424:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna: conservation and management measures (2021/0242(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2021/0242(COD)

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Commentary and Analysis

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 30/01/2023: Conservation of southern bluefin tuna: Transposing fisheries management measures https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)739305

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