Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Reports from Member States on behaviours which seriously infringed the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2004
Date: 2006-07-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, common fisheries policy, exchange of information, fishing regulations, infringement of EU law, report

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 14.7.2006 
COM(2006) 387 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

Reports from Member States on behaviours which seriously infringed the rules of the 
Common Fisheries Policy in 2004 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

Reports from Member States on behaviours which seriously infringed the rules of the 
Common Fisheries Policy in 2004 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

With a view to increasing the level of transparency on how Member States accomplish their 
obligations to enforce Community rules, Council Regulation (EC) n° 1447/19991 introduced 
the  obligation  for  the  Member  States  to  report  yearly  to  the  Commission  on  how  many 
“serious”  infringements  have  been  detected  and  on  the  sanctions  imposed.  For  this  purpose 
the said Regulation established a list of 19 types of breaches of the Community rules deemed 
to be particularly serious. Member States are obliged to ensure that the appropriate measures 
are taken against the natural or legal person who infringes the rules of the Common Fisheries 
Policy2. 
The  behaviours  listed  are  linked  to  the  most  important  obligations  imposed  by  Community 
rules on stock conservation, monitoring and the marketing of fisheries products. 

The  procedure  for  reporting  required  information  to  the  Commission  is  laid  down  in 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  N°  2740/19993.  Data  transmitted  by  electronic  means  should 
allow a comparison between Member States as regards the effectiveness of their enforcement 
systems. The legislator’s ultimate goal is to progressively achieve a level playing field among 
fishermen who would in turn have greater confidence in the control authorities throughout the 
European Community and adhere to Community rules on conservation of fisheries resources. 

The  present  Communication  refers  to  the  cases  of  behaviours  which  seriously  infringed  the 
rules  of  the  CFP  and  for  which  a  file  has  been  opened  in  2004.  This  is  the  fifth 
Communication on this matter. The Commission presented the most relevant data for 2000 in 
its  Communication  of  12  November  20014,  for  2001  in  its  Communication  of  5  December 
20025,  for  2002  in  its  Communication  of  15  December  20036,  and  for  2003  in  its 
Communication of 20 May 20057. 

2. 

REPORTS FROM MEMBER STATES FOR 2004 

Council  Regulation  N°  2740/1999  lays  down  detailed  rules  for  the  transmission  of  data 
concerning  behaviours  which  seriously  infringed  the  rules  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy. 
Data  shall  be  transmitted  by  electronic  means  so  that  the  Commission’  services  are  in  a 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 

OJ L 167, 02.07.1999, p.5 
Art. 25 R. 2371/2002 
OJ L 328, 22.12.1999, p.62 
COM (2001) 650, 12.11.2001 
COM (2002) 687, 05.12.2002 
COM (2003) 782, 15.12.2003 
COM (2005) 207, 30.05.2005 

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position  to  produce  tables,  which  are  annexed  to  the  Communication.  These  tables  are 
designed to show the most interesting features stemming from the Member States’ reports. 

The data shown are those provided by Member States, which have been given the possibility 
to check figures before the Communication is finalised by the Commission. 

As the interpretation of information gathered is not easy since it exclusively consists of sets of 
figures, and some data could be misleading to some extent, the Commission invited Member 
States to provide supplementary information that they deemed useful to clarify the analysis of 
the figures. 
Comments sent by Member States have been taken into consideration and there is an explicit 
reference whenever it appears to be appropriate.  

3. 

SERIOUS  INFRINGEMENTS  COMPARED  TO  THE  NUMBER  OF  FISHING  VESSELS  IN 
EACH MEMBER STATE 

With  a  view  to  presenting  some  quantitative  parameters,  the  following  table  indicates  the 
number of vessels listed in the Fishing Vessel Register for each Member State on 1st January 
2005,  together  with  the  total  number  of  serious  infringements  discovered  and  reported  by 
Member States for (exclusively) those vessels flying their flag. The data received do not allow 
a distinction between breaches committed by fishermen or by operators in the fishing sector 
other than fishermen. The number of serious infringements shown below does not therefore 
exclusively concern fishermen.  

Member State 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Estonia 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Cyprus 
Latvia 
Lithuania 
Malta 
Netherlands 
Poland 
Portugal 
Slovenia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 

Number of vessels 
123 
3416 
2163 
18723 
1050 
14053 
7884 
1431 
14923 
897 
942 
303 
2133 
862 
1248 
10082 
148 
3394 
1598 
7034 

Serious infringements 
32 
258 
87 
1487 
Na 
3813 
492 
50 
3398 
5 
175 
Na 
Na 
141 
73 
1729 
Na 
5 
94 
76 

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4. 

NUMBER  OF  INFRINGEMENTS  DETECTED  COMPARED  TO  THE  NUMBER  OF 
INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY MEMBER STATES 

In  order  to  compare  data  provided  by  Member  States,  it  would  be  appropriate  to  assess  the 
number of infringements detected over a period against the number of inspections carried out 
by the control authorities during the same period of time. Unfortunately, Member States have 
not provided the Commission with enough data which would have allowed the Commission 
services  to  prepare  a  specific  table.  Furthermore,  the  definition  of  “inspection”  may  vary 
amongst Member States, so that homogeneity of data cannot be ensured. 

Some Member States have provided the Commission with the number of inspections carried 
out during 2004. Significant differences between Member States data raise doubts about the 
correctness of some figures: for instance the ratio of infringements detected compared to the 
number of inspections recorded for Poland is 2%, while for Spain it is 6%, Cyprus 12% and 
Greece 65%. 

5. 

INFRINGEMENTS  DETECTED  IN  THE  FRAMEWORK  OF  REGIONAL  FISHERIES 
ORGANISATIONS (RFOS) 

Several  RFOs  have  put  in  place  or  are  about  to  adopt  control  schemes  which  foresee  the 
recording  of  infringements.  Such  schemes  exist  within  the  Northwest  Atlantic  Fisheries 
Organisation  (NAFO),  the  North  East  Atlantic  Fisheries  Organisation  (NEAFC)  and  the 
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). 

It  is  assumed  that  any  “serious”  infringements  of  the  CFP  rules  committed  by  vessels 
operating  within  the  framework  of  the  above  mentioned  RFOs,  are  recorded  amongst  the 
cases notified to the Commission for the purposes of the present Communication.  

It is worth remembering at this point that the European Community submits a yearly report to 
the said Organisations on the infringements detected and notified to the Commission services 
by the national control authorities. It is not possible however to compare data transmitted to 
RFOs  and  those  shown  in  the  annexes  to  the  present  Communication  since  types  of 
infringements are not identical. 

In  the  context  of  RFOs,  it  appears  that  no  apparent  infringements,  (i.e.  alleged)  as  regards 
Community  vessels  were  detected  in  the  NEAFC  area  in  2004.  Concerning  NAFO,  18 
apparent  infringements  by  Community  vessels  were  notified  by  other  contracting  parties, 
though this figure is still subject to validation by NAFO. 

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6. 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBER STATES 

The 

number 

The  total  number  of  cases  reported  by  Member  States  is  9  660.  For  each  type  of  breach 
included  in  the  list  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  N°  1447/1999,  infringements  have  been 
detected. 
2003  
(the number of serious infringements detected in previous years was 7 298 in 2000, 8 139 in 
2001, 6 756 in 2002 and 9 502 in 2003), but the number of Member States with interests in 
the  sea-fisheries  sector  has  meanwhile  increased  by  seven.  In  fact,  the  number  of  serious 
infringements detected by Member States which adhered during 2004 represents only 2,7% of 
the total (258 cases were reported by Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Poland). 

slightly 

higher 

than 

thus 

in 

is 

As already underlined in the previous Communications, the number of infringements detected 
may  include  breaches  related  to  activities  carried  out  in  internal  waters  or  for  recreational 
purposes. This is the case for the figures transmitted by Spain. 

79,6% of the infringements have been detected by Spain, Italy and Portugal. These countries 
are also those with a larger number of vessels. Unauthorised fishing concerns 22% of cases, 
while storing, processing, placing for sale and transporting fishery products not meeting the 
marketing standards in force comes second (19%). Fishing without holding a licence rises to 
third  position  (14%).  These  percentages  are  similar  to  those  for  2003  and  in  fact  most 
infringements  detected  since  2000  relate  to  these  three  types  of  behaviour,  while  very  few 
cases  (less  than  10%)  concern  other  types  of  serious  breaches  to  the  rules  of  the  CFP.  For 
instance, it is surprising that tampering with the Vessel Monitoring System accounted for only 
60 cases in 2004, throughout the European Community. 

82%  of  infringement  procedures  were  concluded  with  the  application  of  a  penalty.  In 
Germany,  Estonia,  United  Kingdom,  Spain,  Cyprus,  Latvia  and  Poland,  100%  of 
infringements were sanctioned. In Italy more than 90% were also sanctioned. However, only 
17%  of  infringements  were  sanctioned  in  Sweden.  No  sanctions  were  declared  by  Finland. 
These  data  also  should  be  subject  to  caution  since  it  is  not  excluded  that  Member  States 
included cases which were opened during previous years, but not finalised until 2004. They 
may also have recorded only cases opened and finalized in 2004. 

When comparing fines imposed on offenders, there are striking differences between Member 
States for the same type of infringement. For example:  

•  for  using  or  keeping  on  board  prohibited  fishing  gear,  the  average  fine  was  EUR  108  in 

one Member State and EUR 15 000 in another, although only one case was reported; 

•  for unauthorised fishing, the average fine was EUR 58 in one Member State but raised to 

EUR 13 788 in another; 

•  for directed fishing of species subject to a prohibition, the average fine was EUR 10 only 

in one Member State and EUR 3 334 in another; 

•  for falsifying data required in the control documents, the average fine was EUR 48 in one 

Member State and EUR 18 900 in another. 

Obviously,  the  average  should  also  be  compared  with  the  occurrence  of  a  specific  type  of 
infringement and with the gravity of the individual case. Moreover, some of the fines reported 
may include the value of the seizures while others do not, meaning that comparisons between 
fines  in  different  Member  States  can  be  biased.  Regulation  (EC)  N°1447/1999  does  not 
indicate any ranking between the 19 types of breaches as regards their gravity. 

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In general, the average fine applied by each Member State ranges from EUR 48 to EUR 13 
099 and the average fine imposed across EU in the proceedings that ended with a penalty in 
2004 amounts to EUR 2 272. This figure is less than half the average fine imposed in 2003 
(EUR 4 664). This down-trend is not a positive signal. The figures relating to the amount of 
the fines imposed to the EU fishing industries compared with the value of the fish products 
landed (see Annex VIII) support the conclusion that the amounts of the fines imposed have 
been decreased since 2003. The significant fines imposed on a limited number of cases (up to 
EUR 120.000) only prove that Member States are too lenient in most cases. 

When  assessing  the  amount  of  the  sanctions  imposed,  two  main  aspects  shall  be  taken  into 
consideration:  firstly,  the  sum  recorded  may  or  may  not  include  the  value  of  the  catches 
and/or  the  gear  confiscated  as  an  ancillary  penalty.  Since  the  value  of  catches  can  easily 
exceed the fine, the average could be affected significantly. Commission’ services are not in a 
position  to  ascertain  whether  the  value  of  the  catches  and  gear  has  been  taken  into 
consideration, unless Member States provide details. 

Furthermore, in case of a breach punished through a suspension of the entitlement to fish or to 
carry out a professional activity, there is no possibility to evaluate, and thus record, the loss of 
profit for the operator who has been compelled to stop his professional activity. Losses could 
be significant, but they can not be taken into account. 

Tables also show that in 3 203 cases the seizure of catches or gear was ordered. Significant 
increases were reported from the 444 seizures in 2000 to the 4 720 seizures in 2003. In 2004, 
the number of seizures has decreased. Greece, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom are the 
Member  States  which  reported  the  application  of  this  measure  in  a  significant  number  of 
cases.  On  the  other  hand,  Germany,  Estonia,  Spain,  Finland,  Cyprus,  Latvia  and  Poland 
reported no seizures of catches and gears. 

Finally, using the supplementary information provided by some Member States, the following 
remarks  can  be  made:  the  procedures  (both  administrative  and  criminal)  followed  for 
sanctioning infringements of the CFP rules are generally lengthy. 8 to 12 months seems to be 
the time required  on  average until termination of the whole procedure. Criminal procedures 
are in general the longest ones (only criminal procedures are applied by Belgium, Ireland, the 
Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Finland). 

Although  the  Commission  services  have  repeatedly  asked  for  details,  little  information  has 
been gathered  on  the  species most concerned by  serious infringements  (in  general  those for 
which  recovery  plans  or  restrictive  national  measures  are  in  place  and  those  with  high 
commercial  value  and  on  the  areas  where  serious  infringements  have  been  committed). 
Obviously  it  appears  that  most  infringements  are  detected  by  Member  States  within  their 
EEZ, but at present it is not possible to identify precisely the ICES zones. 

7. 

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AND FINAL REMARKS 

Following its commitment as recorded in the previous Communication, the Commission held 
a series of consultations with Member States in order to collect opinions on how the content 
of the Communication could be improved. The Commission firstly organised a meeting of the 
Directors General for Fisheries on 30 September 2005. This meeting allowed participants to 
have an open debate on the goals of the Communication on serious infringements and on the 
results  obtained  so  far.  The  general  feeling  was  that  the  Communication  is  a  useful  tool  to 

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assess  the  enforcement  of  the  Community  rules.  However  it  has  been  found  that  there  is  a 
need to improve its content, namely with a view to avoiding incorrect interpretation of figures 
shown in the tables. It has in particular stressed the importance of giving some reference to 
the context in which the breach has been committed such as the size of the vessel, the type of 
fisheries and, in general terms, on the economic aspects.  

It was however agreed that the format of the 2004 Communication will not be changed. 

Other fundamental issue concern the list of the behaviours: it is generally felt that the types 
are  not  sufficiently  specific,  a  situation  which  leads  to  different  interpretations  amongst 
Member States. 

The possibility of simplifying the reporting obligations was also examined. 

The issues discussed with the Directors General were examined subsequently within a control 
experts group convened by the Commission on 8 November 2005. On this occasion, Member 
States had the opportunity to comment on the tables prepared by the Commission services. 

Taking  duly  into  account  the  Member  States’  comments,  the  Commission  is  committed  to 
improve the text of the Communication which it considers to be a useful tool for increasing 
transparency and effective enforcement. It shares with the Member States the view that the list 
of  “serious  infringements”  shall  be  revised,  in  particular  in  relation  to  the  setting  up  of  the 
“catalogue of sanctions” foreseen in Article 25.4 of Council Regulation No 2371/2002. The 
Commission  will  also  endeavour  to  reduce  to  the  greatest  possible  extent,  Member  States’ 
obligations on reporting. 

However,  with  a  view  to  improving  the  content  of  the  next  Communications  on  serious 
infringements,  Member  States  will  be  asked  to  provide  the  Commission  with  a  set  of 
information,  namely  on  the  economic  impact  on  each  wrongdoer  of  the  sanctions  imposed, 
including  the  suspension  to  carry  out  a  professional  activity,  compared  to  his  turnover. 
Indeed, only an analysis of these elements may allow an assessment of the deterrent effect of 
a sanction. 

Member States will also be asked to specify which cases refer to breaches to CFP rules or to 
national rules committed by professional or not professional fishermen.  

As regards the present Communication, having underlined once again that is rather difficult to 
interpret the set of figures shown in the tables without comments from the Member States, the 
Commission  shall  conclude  by  saying  that  the  situation  has  not  really  improved  compared 
with the previous year. 
Although statistics show that more than 10% of the vessels has been sanctioned, the amount 
paid  by  the  fisheries  industry  as  a  consequence  of  sanctions  imposed  in  2004  (€  13,8 
millions8)  is  roughly  equal  to  2 thousandths  of  the  2003  landing  value9.  Such  an  amount 
entails the risk that fishing industry may consider penalties imposed for infringements to the 
CFP  rules  just  as  an  ordinary  running  cost  of  the  enterprise  and  see  no  real  incentive  to  be 
compliant. 

8 
9 

Details can be found in Annex VII. 
The global landing value in the European Union in 2003 amounts to € 6 075 millions (Eurostat, Fishery 
Statistics Data 1990-2004, 2005 Edition) 

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Furthermore,  analysis  of  figures  in  Annex  IV  shows  that  most  of  the  penalties  imposed  on 
offenders are clearly insufficient to have a real deterrent effect. 

The  Commission  therefore  calls  on  Member  States  to  amend  their  legislation  in  an 
appropriate manner. In this context, the Commission suggests that, as a general rule, the value 
of the catches on board should be taken into consideration by the authority when imposing a 
penalty. 
Furthermore, although Member States are free to adopt procedures they deem to be the most 
appropriate, the Commission wishes to restate its opinion that an administrative sanction like 
the  suspension  of  an  entitlement  to  fish  or  to  carry  out  a  professional  activity  is  a  very 
effective tool in increasing compliance with CFP rules due to the fact that it can be quickly 
applied. Some Member States are now using the possibility which was previously unknown in 
their legal systems, but it is regrettable that the majority of Member States do not use this tool 
yet, at least when breach of the rules is not so serious to justify a criminal sanction. 

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I 

II 

III 

IV 

V 

VI 

VII 

VIII 

List of tables in annex 

number of cases discovered by type of infringement and by Member State; 

number  of  cases  discovered  by  nationality  of  the  party  which  committed  the 
infringement and by Member State; 

number  of  cases  where  penalties  were  imposed  by  type  of  infringement  and  by 
Member State; 

average fine by type or infringement and by Member State; 

number of seizures by type of infringement and by Member State; 

number of suspensions by type of infringement and by Member State; 

amount  paid  by  the  fishing  industry  in  each  Member  State  as  a  consequence  of 
serious infringements. 

amount  paid  by  the  fishing  industry  in  each  Member  States  as  a  consequence  of 
serious infringements and value of landings in 2003 in each Member State 

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I. NUMBER OF SERIOUS BREACHES BY MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR 2004

Code Type of behaviour

BEL CZE DNK DEU

EST GRC ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA CYP

LTU

LVA LUX HUN MLT NLD AUT

POL

PRT

SVN SVK

FIN SWE GBR TOTAL

A1

Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

4

1

61

18

10

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1

Obstructing the work of observers

1

9

7

2

2

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any other 
authorisation required for fishing

5

9

27

462

43

13

376

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

5

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the fishing 
vessel

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to a 
prohibition of fishing

D5

Unauthorised fishing

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

2

2

6

6

6

9

2

63

9

7

1

1

1

37

4

7

19

15

147

3

284

58

119

206

4

5

8

2

32

15

132

475

43

41

10

19

264

144

8

4

72

947

297

3

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to transhipments

4

30

1

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

E3

E4

F1

F2

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote transmission 
of movements of fishing vessels

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to comply with 
the applicable control rules when operating in Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community rules on 
control and enforcement

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery products not 
meeting the marketing standards in force

137

59

5

1

6

1

1

3

202

89

50

67

48

1

1

170

3

7

14

18

3

489

12

1155

2

2

2

2

1

5

1

1

2

3

24

5

3

12

4

1

65

4

19

7

9

1

1

366

11

4

1

45

250

137

9

37

448

146

1

6

4

1

6

2

26

10

13

2

5

8

10

3

4

26

2

1

52

74

21

63

6

6

1

1

1

151

158

6

6

7

1

110
1 %

5
0 %

12
0 %

1349
14 %

6
0 %

102
1 %

810
8 %

549
6 %

30
0 %

266
3 %

2113
22 %

943
10 %

15
0 %

954
10 %

60
1 %

83
1 %

7
0 %

388
4 %

1830
19 %

28
0 %

30

1

13

1

6

38

39

15

4

28

NA

Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

EN 

53
1 %

282
3 %

88
1 %

5
0 %

273
3 %

2396
25 %

530
5 %

88
1 %

3465
36 %

5
0 %

175
2 %

151
2 %

73
1 %

1835
19 %

5
0 %

118
1 %

118
1 %

9660  

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II. INFRINGEMENTS BY COUNTRY AND NATIONALITY FOR THE YEAR 2004

National

Unspecified

Third countries

EU

TOTAL

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST

GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN

MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN

SWE

GBR

TOTAL

32

258

87

5

273

2.254

492

50

3.400

5

175

141

73

1.729

5

94

94

9.167

19

41

65

13

138

2

11

1

89

36

38

53

282

88

5

273

2.396

530

88

3.465

5

175

10

151

106

10

22

325

73

1.835

5

118

118

9.660

13

12

2

1

2

30

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III. NUMBER OF CASES WHERE PENALTIES WERE IMPOSED AND NUMBER OF INFRINGEMENTS BY TYPE OF SERIOUS BREACH AND BY MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR 2004

Code Type of behaviour

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN

SWE GBR

TOTAL

1
(1)

170
(366)

2
(11)

4
(4)

A1

Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

2
(4)

1
(1)

61
(61)

6
(18)

4
(10)

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1

Obstructing the work of observers

1
(1)

9
(9)

1
(7)

0
(2)

1
(2)

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any 
other authorisation required for fishing

3
(5)

9
(9)

27
(27)

462
(462)

19
(43)

2
(13)

374
(376)

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the 
fishing vessel

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to 
a prohibition of fishing

D5

Unauthorised fishing

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to 
transhipments

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

2
(2)

0
(2)

6
(6)

2
(6)

2
(6)

21
(30)

0
(1)

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote 
transmission of movements of fishing vessels

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to 
comply with the applicable control rules when operating in 
Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community 
rules on control and enforcement

E3

E4

F1

F2

5
(5)

1
(1)

37
(37)

1
(4)

6
(7)

7
(7)

19
(19)

15
(15)

24
(147)

1
(3)

283
(284)

58
(58)

119
(119)

2
(2)

2
(2)

4
(4)

32
(32)

131
(132)

475
(475)

1
(5)

0
(15)

8
(43)

3
(8)

0
(4)

1
(1)

1
(1)

5
(9)

2
(2)

38
(63)

2
(9)

30
(41)

10
(10)

19
(19)

264
(264)

24
(144)

1
(1)

3
(3)

202
(202)

24
(89)

11
(50)

63
(67)

6
(7)

11
(14)

2
(2)

2
(2)

1
(1)

5
(5)

0
(4)

80
(137)

59
(59)

5
(5)

1
(1)

3
(6)

0
(1)

48
(48)

1
(1)

1
(1)

170
(170)

203
(206)

8
(8)

70
(72)

916
(947)

239
(297)

3
(3)

18
(18)

1058
(1155)

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery 
products not meeting the marketing standards in force

3
(3)

489
(489)

7
(12)

0
(1)

0
(1)

1
(2)

0
(3)

7
(24)

2
(5)

0
(3)

1
(12)

4
(4)

0
(1)

16
(65)

0
(4)

1
(19)

1
(7)

2
(2)

3
(3)

30
(30)

1
(1)

13
(13)

1
(1)

6
(6)

38
(38)

39
(39)

15
(15)

4
(4)

28
(28)

1
(1)

24
(45)

198
(250)

120
(137)

5
(9)

30
(37)

278
(448)

122
(146)

1
(1)

6
(6)

4
(4)

1
(1)

6
(6)

52
(52)

46
(74)

3
(6)

1
(6)

0
(1)

1
(1)

1
(1)

105
(151)

54
(158)

9
(9)

84
(110) - 76 %

1
(1)

2
(5) - 40 %

10
(12) - 83 %

1104
(1349) - 82 
%

6
(6) - 100 %

72
(102) - 71 %

10
(10)

586
(810) - 72 %

2
(2)

516
(549) - 94 %

22
(30) - 73 %

0
(2)

3
(26)

3
(13)

0
(5)

2
(8)

10
(10)

198
(266) - 74 %

2
(26)

3
(3)

1826
(2113) - 86 
%

1
(2)

0
(1)

4
(4)

725
(943) - 77 %

9
(15) - 60 %

7
(21)

63
(63)

689
(954) - 72 %

56
(60) - 93 %

6
(6)

67
(83) - 81 %

6
(7) - 86 %

6
(6)

316
(388) - 81 %

1617
(1830) - 88 
%

28
(28) - 100 %

0
(7)

0
(1)

NA

Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

EN 

33
(53)
62 %

166
(282)
59 %

88
(88)
100 %

5
(5)
100 %

272
(273)
100 %

2396
(2396)
100 %

123
(530)
23 %

21
(88)
24 %

3254
(3465)
94 %

5
(5)
100 %

175
(175)
100 %

33
(151)
22 %

73
(73)
100 %

1157
(1835)
63 %

0
(5)
0 %

20
(118)
17 %

118
(118)
100 %

7939
(9660)
82 %

12 

EN 

 
  
 
Code Type of behaviour

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST

GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN

MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN

SWE

GBR TOTAL

IV. AVERAGE FINE AND NUMBER OF INFRINGEMENTS BY TYPE OF SERIOUS BREACH AND BY MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR 2004

A1 Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

1008
(1)

300
(1)

5334
(61)

7500
(1)

1667
(1)

206
(1)

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1 Obstructing the work of observers

1200
(1)

690
(9)

173
(1)

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any 
other authorisation required for fishing

336
(1)

913
(7)

444
(27)

920
(462)

8150
(6)

150
(1)

3729
(350)

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the 
fishing vessel

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to 
a prohibition of fishing

342
(6)

D5

Unauthorised fishing

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to 
transhipments

824
(5)

10
(1)

8000
(1)

608
(9)

1344
(1)

826
(12)

975
(1)

461
(16)

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

307
(65)

97
(55)

48
(5)

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

E3

E4

F1

F2

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote 
transmission of movements of fishing vessels

672
(3)

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to 
comply with the applicable control rules when operating in 
Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community 
rules on control and enforcement

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery 
products not meeting the marketing standards in force

640
(5)

1457
(37)

500
(1)

767
(15)

1422
(9)

15000
(1)

1103
(119)

1000
(4)

1548
(32)

1077
(475)

150
(1)

400
(8)

3334
(2)

1606
(264)

2075
(4)

601
(1)

800
(2)

1275
(202)

2200
(13)

2330
(9)

236
(6)

2374
(177)

3182
(158)

1033
(3)

1198
(2)

1402
(27)

3493
(715)

672
(11)

1032
(2)

2073
(63)

9260
(48)

301
(1)

66
(1)

7962
(170)

2209
(489)

1141
(3)

879
(6)

604
(11)

579
(16)

2158
(710)

300
(1)

946
(19)

1950
(56)

900
(2)

1000
(2)

904
(131)

768
(19)

500
(2)

300
(2)

600
(1)

680
(5)

1000
(3)

342
(6)

429
(100)

375
(79)

48
(5)

1055
(270)

2122
(2396)

2291
(51)

3175
(14)

2868
(2251)

1164
(5)

2853
(8)

4849
(74)

1200
(1)

638
(10)

733
(1)

608
(107)

600
(2)

3637
(2)

1882
(996)

25
(1)

509
(8)

333
(44)

495
(24)

637
(4)

367
(1)

130
(6)

3167
(4)

1623
(4)

122
(1)

436
(6)

401
(52)

171
(1)

978
(1)

402
(84)

635
(85)

580
(44)

620
(2)

750
(1)

549
(62)

504
(30)

538
(6)

1115
(54)

135
(3)

115
(3)

2750
(9)

1762
(298)

2050
(370)

875
(16)

246
(2)

2951
(8)

1513
(100)

1484
(2)

13788
(3)

2255
(1427)

100
(1)

3209
(3)

1273
(420)

752
(7)

592
(7)

18900
(59)

2649
(622)

15918
(5)

8329
(54)

1525
(66)

578
(6)

4184
(6)

5260
(271)

2127
(1238)

272
(28)

538
(73)

538
(500)

483
(20)

13099
(103)

2272
(6064)

855
(2)

350
(2)

513
(2)

1434
(8)

500
(1)

1000
(1)

1026
(16)

78
(30)

35
(1)

108
(13)

35
(1)

58
(6)

175
(38)

156
(39)

189
(15)

196
(4)

272
(28)

161
(175)

NA Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

EN 

13 

EN 

 
  
 
V. NUMBER OF SEIZURES AND NUMBER OF INFRINGEMENTS BY TYPE OF SERIOUS BREACH AND BY MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR 2004

Code Type of behaviour

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN

SWE GBR

TOTAL

A1 Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

1
(4)

0
(1)

0
(61)

3
(18)

3
(10)

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1 Obstructing the work of observers

0
(1)

0
(9)

0
(7)

0
(2)

0
(2)

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any 
other authorisation required for fishing

0
(5)

0
(9)

7
(27)

0
(462)

9
(43)

1
(13)

192
(376)

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the 
fishing vessel

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to 
a prohibition of fishing

D5

Unauthorised fishing

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to 
transhipments

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

0
(2)

0
(2)

6
(6)

0
(6)

2
(6)

21
(30)

0
(1)

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote 
transmission of movements of fishing vessels

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to 
comply with the applicable control rules when operating in 
Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community 
rules on control and enforcement

E3

E4

F1

F2

0
(5)

0
(1)

0
(37)

0
(4)

0
(7)

0
(7)

4
(19)

0
(15)

16
(147)

1
(3)

247
(284)

26
(58)

0
(119)

1
(2)

2
(2)

0
(4)

0
(32)

32
(132)

0
(475)

0
(5)

0
(15)

2
(43)

2
(8)

0
(4)

0
(1)

0
(1)

2
(9)

1
(2)

8
(63)

2
(9)

1
(41)

0
(10)

13
(19)

0
(264)

13
(144)

0
(1)

0
(3)

0
(202)

7
(89)

6
(50)

0
(67)

0
(7)

3
(14)

0
(2)

0
(2)

0
(1)

1
(5)

0
(4)

7
(137)

0
(59)

0
(5)

1
(1)

0
(6)

0
(1)

0
(48)

0
(1)

0
(1)

0
(170)

192
(206)

8
(8)

62
(72)

640
(947)

227
(297)

2
(3)

4
(18)

450
(1155)

0
(2)

0
(3)

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery 
products not meeting the marketing standards in force

3
(3)

0
(489)

3
(12)

NA Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

EN 

29
(53)
55 %

23
(282)
8 %

0
(88)
0 %

0
(5)
0 %

89
(273)
33 %

0
(2396)
0 %

53
(530)
10 %

13
(88)
15 %

2027
(3465)
58 %

0
(5)
0 %

0
(30)

0
(1)

0
(13)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(38)

0
(39)

0
(15)

0
(4)

0
(28)

0
(175)
0 %

14 

0
(1)

74
(366)

0
(11)

4
(4)

0
(1)

0
(1)

1
(2)

0
(3)

6
(24)

2
(5)

0
(3)

1
(12)

4
(4)

0
(1)

12
(65)

0
(4)

0
(19)

0
(7)

0
(1)

8
(45)

179
(250)

110
(137)

1
(9)

28
(37)

188
(448)

103
(146)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(4)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(52)

3
(74)

1
(6)

0
(6)

0
(1)

0
(1)

0
(1)

85
(151)

44
(158)

9
(9)

16
(110) - 15 %

1
(1)

1
(5) - 20 %

0
(12) - 0 %

288
(1349) - 21 
%

0
(6) - 0 %

8
(102) - 8 %

10
(10)

465
(810) - 57 %

2
(2)

333
(549) - 61 %

10
(30) - 33 %

0
(2)

0
(26)

0
(13)

0
(7)

0
(1)

0
(5)

1
(8)

10
(10)

119
(266) - 45 %

0
(26)

3
(3)

868
(2113) - 41 
%

0
(2)

0
(1)

4
(4)

367
(943) - 39 %

2
(15) - 13 %

0
(21)

63
(63)

119
(954) - 12 %

2
(60) - 3 %

6
(6)

9
(83) - 11 %

1
(7) - 14 %

6
(6)

95
(388) - 24 %

26
(151)
17 %

0
(73)
0 %

824
(1835)
45 %

0
(5)
0 %

1
(118)
1 %

118
(118)
100 %

500
(1830) - 27 
%

0
(28) - 0 %

3203
(9660)

33 % 

EN 

 
  
VI. NUMBER OF LICENCES WITHDRAWN AND SERIOUS BREACHES BY MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR 2004

Code Type of behaviour

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN SWE GBR

TOTAL

A1

Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

0
(4)

1
(1)

21
(61)

3
(18)

0
(10)

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1

Obstructing the work of observers

0
(1)

0
(9)

0
(7)

0
(2)

0
(2)

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any 
other authorisation required for fishing

0
(5)

9
(9)

25
(27)

137
(462)

0
(43)

0
(13)

0
(376)

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the 
fishing vessel

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to 
a prohibition of fishing

D5

Unauthorised fishing

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to 
transhipments

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

0
(2)

0
(2)

0
(6)

0
(6)

0
(6)

0
(30)

0
(1)

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote 
transmission of movements of fishing vessels

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to 
comply with the applicable control rules when operating in 
Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community 
rules on control and enforcement

E3

E4

F1

F2

0
(5)

1
(1)

12
(37)

0
(4)

0
(7)

7
(7)

19
(19)

1
(15)

0
(147)

0
(3)

9
(284)

41
(58)

45
(119)

2
(2)

1
(2)

1
(4)

19
(32)

129
(132)

126
(475)

0
(5)

0
(15)

0
(43)

0
(8)

0
(4)

1
(1)

1
(1)

2
(9)

0
(2)

22
(63)

0
(9)

0
(41)

10
(10)

19
(19)

144
(264)

2
(144)

1
(1)

0
(3)

17
(202)

0
(89)

0
(50)

0
(67)

0
(7)

0
(14)

2
(2)

2
(2)

0
(1)

5
(5)

0
(4)

0
(137)

59
(59)

0
(5)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(1)

2
(48)

1
(1)

0
(1)

3
(170)

0
(206)

0
(8)

0
(72)

0
(947)

0
(297)

0
(3)

0
(18)

14
(1155)

0
(2)

0
(3)

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery 
products not meeting the marketing standards in force

1
(3)

305
(489)

4
(12)

NA

Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

EN 

0
(53)
0 %

24
(282)
9 %

88
(88)
100 %

0
(5)
0 %

247
(273)
90 %

835
(2396)
35 %

9
(530)
2 %

0
(88)
0 %

23
(3465)
1 %

0
(5)
0 %

0
(9)

0
(1)

25
(110) - 23 %

0
(5) - 0 %

0
(12) - 0 %

0
(1)

0
(366)

0
(11)

0
(4)

171
(1349) - 13 %

0
(1)

0
(45)

0
(250)

0
(137)

0
(9)

0
(37)

0
(448)

0
(146)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(4)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(52)

0
(74)

0
(6)

0
(6)

0
(1)

0
(1)

0
(1)

0
(151)

0
(158)

0
(2)

0
(26)

0
(13)

0
(6) - 0 %

13
(102) - 13 %

0
(10)

38
(810) - 5 %

0
(2)

86
(549) - 16 %

3
(30) - 10 %

0
(5)

0
(8)

0
(10)

43
(266) - 16 %

0
(26)

0
(3)

256
(2113) - 12 %

0
(2)

0
(1)

0
(4)

175
(943) - 19 %

3
(15) - 20 %

0
(21)

0
(63)

78
(954) - 8 %

2
(60) - 3 %

0
(6)

1
(83) - 1 %

5
(7) - 71 %

0
(7)

0
(1)

0
(6)

3
(388) - 1 %

324
(1830) - 18 %

0
(1)

0
(1)

0
(2)

0
(3)

0
(24)

0
(5)

0
(3)

0
(12)

0
(4)

0
(1)

0
(65)

0
(4)

0
(19)

0
(7)

0
(151)
0 %

0
(73)
0 %

0
(1835)
0 %

0
(5)
0 %

0
(118)
0 %

0
(118)
0 %

0
(28) - 0 %

1226
(9660)

13 % 

0
(30)

0
(1)

0
(13)

0
(1)

0
(6)

0
(38)

0
(39)

0
(15)

0
(4)

0
(28)

0
(175)
0 %

15 

EN 

 
  
VII. AMOUNT PAID BY THE FISHERIES SECTOR IN EACH MEMBER STATE FOR THE YEAR AS A RESULT OF SERIOUS BREACHES 2004

Code Type of behaviour

BEL

CZE

DNK

DEU

EST

GRC

ESP

FRA

IRL

ITA

CYP

LTU

LVA

LUX

HUN

MLT

NLD

AUT

POL

PRT

SVN

SVK

FIN

SWE

GBR

TOTAL

%

A1 Obstructing the work of fisheries inspectors

1.008

300

325.361

7.500

1.667

206

22.821

358.863

2,60%

A2

Falsifying, concealing, destroying or tampering with evidence

B1 Obstructing the work of observers

C1

Fishing without holding a fishing licence, a fishing permit or any 
other authorisation required for fishing

1.200

6.210

173

1.200

0,01%

6.383

0,05%

336

6.393

12.000

425.051

48.900

150 1.305.311

2.327

733

65.072

1.200

7.274

1.874.747

13,61%

C2

Fishing under cover of a falsified document

3.201

C3

Falsifying, deleting or concealing the identification marks of the 
fishing vessel

300

53.907

500

1.418

D1

Using or keeping on board prohibited fishing gear

4.120

17.970

11.502

12.800

15.000

420.276

D2

Using prohibited fishing methods

1.344

109.200

131.268

502.816

35

1.409

35

25

4.075

3.226

0,02%

60.235

0,44%

1.710

367

14.644

405

24.747

524.950

3,81%

700

782

11.889

345

758.379

5,50%

D3

Not lashing or stowing prohibited fishing gear

1.800

4.001

150

3.098

2.396

2.548

13.993

0,10%

D4

Directed fishing for, or keeping on board of, a species subject to 
a prohibition of fishing

2.050

9.912

10

2.000

49.524

6.667

37.860

12.666

6.494

491

23.606

151.279

1,10%

D5

Unauthorised fishing

975

8.000

118.380

511.713

3.200

2.497.431

349

122

33.748

2.967

41.364

3.218.248

23,36%

D6

Failure to comply with the rules on minimum sizes

7.378

5.470

14.600

424.063

8.300

7.396

1.025

2.615

54.010

100

9.628

534.585

3,88%

D7

Failure to comply with the rules and procedures relating to 
transhipments

1.000

601

1.600

2.064

5.265

0,04%

E1

Falsifying or failing to record data in logbooks, etc

19.942

5.310

238

600

257.629

28.600

20.967

130.587

6.654

11.475

20.835

25.536

4.144 1.115.105

1.647.621

11,96%

E2

Tampering with the satellite-based vessel monitoring system

600

444.501

3.423

2.016

301

5.275

6.640

6.085

E3

E4

F1

F2

Deliberate failure to comply with the Community rules remote 
transmission of movements of fishing vessels

Failure of the master of the fishing vessel of a third country to 
comply with the applicable control rules when operating in 
Community waters

Landing of fishery products not complying with the Community 
rules on control and enforcement

Storing, processing, placing on sale and transporting fishery 
products not meeting the marketing standards in force

NA Unspecified

TOTAL for MS:

%

3.400

66

1.353.604

9.256

3.000 1.080.359

1.531.976

2.050

42.910

29.603

238 284.850 5.084.061 116.825

44.451 6.456.507

5.820

0,01 %

0,31 % 0,21 % 0,00 % 2,07 % 36,90 % 0,85 % 0,32 % 46,86 % 0,04 %

1.239

750

449.764

3,26%

79.589

100.656

0,73%

3.466

0,03%

2.832

782

7.610

28.118

0,20 %

500

171

34.021

25.102

1.425.486

10,35%

1.000

978

15.126

2.633.221

19,11%

16.410

0,12 %

39.269 269.176

0,28 % 1,95 %

9.652 1.349.236

13.779.175

0,07 %

9,79 %

100,00 % 100,00 %

7.610

0,06%

Number of active vessels 

123

3.416

2.163

1.050

18.723

14.053

7.884

1.431

14.923

897

303

942

2.133

862

1.248

10.082

148

3.394

1.598

7.034

92.407

EN 

16 

EN 

 
  
 
VIII  AMOUNT PAID BY THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN 2004 IN EACH MEMBER 
STATE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SERIOUS INFRINGEMENTS AND VALUE OF 
LANDINGS IN 2003 IN EACH MEMBER STATE 

MEMBER STATE 

BEL 
CZE 
DNK 
DEU 
EST 
GRC 
ESP 
FRA 
IRL 
ITA 
CYP 
LTU 
LVA 
LUX 
HUN 
MLT 
NLD 
AUT 
POL 
PRT 
SVN 
SVK 
FIN 
SWE 
GBR 
Total EM 

AMOUNT PAID 
BY THE FISHING 
INDUSTRY IN 
2004 
2.050 
N.A. 
42.910 
29.603 
238 
284.850 
5.084.061 
116.825 
44.451 
6.456.507 
5.820 
N.A. 
28.118 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
16.410 
N.A. 
39.269 
269.176 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
9.652 
1.349.236 
13.779.175 

VALUE OF 
LANDINGS IN 
200310 

78.000.000 
N.A. 
390.000.000 
81.000.000 
N.A. 
267.000.000 
1.873.000.000 
823.000.000 
253.000.000 
1.012.000.000 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
313.000.000 
N.A. 
N.A. 
205.000.000 
N.A. 
N.A. 
19.000.000 
95.000.000 
666.000.000 
6.075.000.000 

% 

0,0026 
N.A. 
0,011 
0,036 
N.A. 
0,10 
0,27 
0,014 
0,017 
0,64 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
0,005 
N.A. 
N.A. 
0,13 
N.A. 
N.A. 
N.A. 
0,01 
0,20 
0,22 

10 

Eurostat, Fishery Statistics Data 1990-2004, 2005 Edition 

EN 

17 

   EN