Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Member States’ efforts during 2014 to achieve a sustainable balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities

In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy (the "Basic CFP Regulation"), Member States are required to prepare an annual report on the situation of the fishing capacity of their fleets in relation to fishing opportunities.

To facilitate a common approach across the Union these national fleet reports are prepared following the Guidelines for the analysis of the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities according to Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy (the "Commission Guidelines") adopted by the Commission in 2014.

Furthermore, if a Member State identifies a structural imbalance, it must submit an action plan for the segment(s) concerned, setting out the adjustment targets, tools and a clear time-frame for its implementation. On the basis of these national fleet reports, the Commission prepares a report on Member States' efforts to achieve a sustainable balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities. This report covers the year 2014.