The European Commission and the Spanish authorities have jointly designed an action plan to improve the catch registration system in Spain. This plan will contribute to a more sustainable fishing activity, one of the key objectives set by the European Union common fisheries policy.

The new action plan to improve fish catches in Spain will ensure that the data which are available for supervisory authorities are complete, updated and of absolute reliability. The plan will consolidate the measurements bagan by the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAGRAMA) in in 2012 using tools such as the Fisheries Information System or by setting the Technical Control Group.

The tools and procedures developed by the action plan will lead to benefits for fishermen themselves, who are responsible for reporting catch data to the authorities. In this sense, the Spanish authorities will work to promote a new culture of compliance among the fisheries sector. The action plan also provides for the implementation of new procedures and strengthening the logistics required to ensure more efficient and cost-effective controls.

Sustainability of fisheries in the European Union is ensured by the application of a rigorous quota system and deductions on non-complying countries. The European Commission welcomed the efforts made by Spanish authorities to provide a more efficient framework and and hoped that this initiative will be followed by other Member States in order to ensure sustainability for European fisheries.