Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/838
This regulation updates the rules for fishing in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) area, bringing EU law in line with the latest decisions from the SPRFMO. Key changes include updated data reporting requirements for vessels operating in the area. This covers vessel information, transhipment notifications, observer logs, and port operations. A crucial update mandates vessels to cease fishing and return to port if their satellite tracking device fails for more than 30 days, enhancing compliance and sustainability.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837
This regulation modifies rules for managing bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, incorporating recommendations from ICCAT. It allows for some flexibility in adjusting fishing capacity, especially for purse seine vessels, without increasing overall capacity. The regulation also extends a pilot project for farming bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea, aiming to gather more data on its feasibility. Furthermore, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is designated as the central authority for handling inspection reports, streamlining the reporting process.
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/862
This regulation updates the zoning for African swine fever (ASF) in several EU member states due to recent outbreaks. It modifies Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lists restricted zones based on the ASF situation. The changes include reclassifying certain areas to higher risk zones, delisting zones where ASF has been absent for a specified period, and defining new restricted zones to prevent the further spread of the disease. It lists restricted zones I, II, and III within the affected Member States. These zones are defined by specific geographical areas (municipalities, districts, parts of municipalities, etc.) within Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece and Croatia.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/838 of 19 February 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/975 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards data reporting for the jack mackerel fishery, technical failure of the satellite-tracking device, vessel data requirements in Annex V, transhipment data requirements in Annexes VII, VIII and IX, and port data requirements in Annexes XI and XII
This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/838 amends Regulation (EU) 2018/975, focusing on data reporting, technical failures of satellite-tracking devices, vessel data, transhipment data, and port data within the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention Area. The changes aim to incorporate amendments adopted by the SPRFMO at its annual meetings from 2018 to 2024 into Union law. The regulation updates requirements for Member States and fishing vessels operating in the SPRFMO area to align with the latest conservation and management measures.
The regulation is structured around amendments to specific articles and annexes of the original Regulation (EU) 2018/975. Article 1 details the changes, including replacing points in Article 7(2) regarding monthly vessel lists and annual scientific reports, and modifying Article 41(2) concerning procedures for satellite tracking device failures. The core of the regulation lies in the updated Annexes V, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII, which specify revised data requirements for vessel information, transhipment notifications, observer logs, transhipment declarations, port call requests, and port inspection reports.
The most important provisions for practical use include the updated data reporting requirements in Annexes V, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII, which detail the specific information that vessels and Member States must provide. The amendment to Article 41(2), which mandates that vessels cease fishing and return to port if a satellite tracking device fails for more than 30 days, is also crucial for ensuring compliance and sustainable fishing practices. These changes directly impact the operational procedures for fishing vessels and the reporting obligations of Member States within the SPRFMO Convention Area.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837 of 7 February 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean
Here’s a breakdown of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837:
This regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2023/2053, focusing on the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The changes incorporate recommendations from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), specifically related to fleet capacity, a pilot farming project, and improved reporting efficiency. The regulation adjusts rules regarding fishing capacity management plans, extends a pilot project for bluefin tuna farming in the Cantabrian Sea, and designates the European Fisheries Control Agency to handle inspection reports.
**Structure and Key Provisions:**
* **Article 1:** This article details the specific amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053.
* It replaces Article 13 of the original regulation, which concerns annual fishing capacity management plans. The updated article allows for some flexibility in increasing the number of purse seine vessels under specific conditions related to fleet conversion, ensuring that overall fishing capacity does not increase.
* It replaces paragraph 4a of Article 17, allowing Spain to request that purse seine vessels involved in the pilot project for farming bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea be allowed to fish for bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea from 26 May 2025 until 30 September 2025.
* It amends Annexes I and IX of the original regulation.
* **Article 2:** Specifies the entry into force of the regulation, which is the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**Amendments to Annex I:**
* Replaces points 1 and 2, specifying the capacity limitations that each Member State must respect. These limitations relate to the maximum number of baitboats, trolling boats, artisanal fleets, and catching vessels authorized to fish for bluefin tuna. It also specifies quota allocations for these different types of vessels.
* Adds point 3, which provides a derogation for France, allowing vessels operating in the Bay of Biscay to catch a certain amount of bluefin tuna under specific conditions.
**Amendments to Annex IX:**
* Adds a section designating the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) as the body responsible for receiving inspection reports related to detected infringements, sending copies of these reports to the flag State of the inspected vessel and to the ICCAT Secretariat, with a copy to the Commission.
**Main Provisions for Practical Use:**
* **Flexibility in Fishing Capacity:** The regulation introduces some flexibility for Member States to adjust their fishing capacity, particularly concerning purse seine vessels, under certain conditions. This could allow for more efficient use of fishing opportunities.
* **Extension of Pilot Project:** The extension of the bluefin tuna farming pilot project in the Cantabrian Sea provides an opportunity to gather further data and insights into the feasibility and sustainability of bluefin tuna farming.
* **Improved Reporting Efficiency:** Designating the EFCA as the central authority for handling inspection reports should streamline the reporting process and improve the overall effectiveness of monitoring and control measures.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/862 of 30 April 2025 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever
Okay, I will provide you with a detailed description of the provisions of the act.
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/862 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever.
This regulation updates the zoning for African swine fever (ASF) in several EU member states due to recent outbreaks. It modifies Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lists restricted zones based on the ASF situation. The changes include reclassifying certain areas to higher risk zones (from Zone I to Zone II or Zone II to Zone III), delisting zones where ASF has been absent for a specified period, and defining new restricted zones to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex.
* **Article 1** directly amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 by replacing its Annex I with the text provided in the annex of this new regulation.
* **Article 2** specifies that the regulation will come into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Annex replaces Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, providing an updated list of restricted zones I, II, and III within the affected Member States. These zones are defined by specific geographical areas (municipalities, districts, parts of municipalities, etc.) within Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece and Croatia. The categorization of these zones reflects the assessed risk level for African swine fever spread, with Zone III having the highest risk and Zone I the lowest.
**Main Provisions and Changes:**
* **Germany:** Several changes including delisting some areas from restricted zone I, changing some areas from restricted zone II to restricted zone I and demarcation of new restricted zones I.
* **Greece:** Following an outbreak of African swine fever in kept porcine animals was observed in the East Macedonia and Thrace region in Greece, in an area listed as a restricted zone II. The area was reclassified to restricted zone III.
* **Italy:** Following an outbreak of African swine fever in a wild porcine animal was observed in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy, in an area listed as a restricted zone II, but in close proximity to an area listed as a restricted zone I. The area of Italy currently listed as a restricted zone I was reclassified to restricted zone II. Also, some zones in the Basilicata, Calabria and Emilia Romagna regions in Italy, currently listed as restricted zones I and II were delisted from that Annex due to the absence of African swine fever outbreaks.
* **Poland:** Following outbreaks of African swine fever in wild porcine animals in the Pomorskie, Opolskie and Zachodniopomorskie regions in Poland, in areas listed as restricted zone I and II. The areas of Poland currently listed as restricted zones I were reclassified to restricted zones II. Also, the zone in the Mazowieckie region in Poland, currently listed as a restricted zone I was delisted from that Annex, due to the absence of African swine fever outbreaks.
* Other Member States were also affected by the changes.
**Main provisions for its use:**
* The key provision is the updated Annex I, which defines the specific geographical areas classified as restricted zones I, II, and III.
* This classification is crucial because it dictates the disease control measures that must be applied within each zone. These measures are outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and may include restrictions on the movement of live pigs and pork products, enhanced surveillance, and biosecurity measures.
* The regulation emphasizes a science-based and risk-based approach to zoning, aligning with the ASF guidelines issued by the Commission and international standards from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
* The amendments reflect the dynamic nature of the epidemiological situation and the need for continuous adaptation of control measures.
**** This regulation is particularly important for farmers, hunters, and other stakeholders involved in the pig industry within the listed Member States. They need to be aware of the zoning classifications and the specific control measures that apply to their areas.
