REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Report on the implementation and functioning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 (recast)
Date: 2020-10-22
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, common fisheries policy, data collection, fishery resources, fishing industry

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 22.10.2020  COM(2020) 664 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Report on the implementation and functioning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 (recast) {SWD(2020) 229 final}  
 
 
INTRODUCTION 

Reliable  and  complete  data  are  key  to  fisheries  management  under  the  common  fisheries 
policy (CFP)1, which is based on the best available scientific advice. The main instrument for 
data  collection  and  management2  is  Regulation  (EU)  2017/10043  (the  ‘data  collection 
framework regulation’ or ‘DCF Regulation’), a recast of its 2008 predecessor4. The DCF sets 
out  the  harmonised  approach  for  the  Union-wide  collection  by  Member  States  (MS)  of 
biological, environmental, technical and socio-economic data for the fishing, aquaculture and 
processing sectors (Commission Staff Working Document (CSWD) Annex 1). 

Under Article 23 of the DCF Regulation the European Commission is required to submit to 
the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the implementation and functioning 
of the Regulation. This report meets this obligation. 

The DCF underlines the end-user-driven approach and the regionalisation of data collection, 
creating  regional  coordination  groups  (RCGs).  Under  the  DCF,  MS  execute  their  data 
collection through national work plans and report on implementation through annual reports. 
For the first time, they can also submit regional work plans, coordinated at sea basin level, to 
supplement (or replace) relevant parts of national work plans.  

The  DCF  empowers  the  Commission  to  adopt  Commission  decisions  to  establish  a 
multiannual Union programme for data collection (EU MAP), which lays down detailed MS 
data  collection  obligations.  The  2017-2019  EU  MAP5  was  already  partly  aligned  with  the 
DCF Regulation; the 2020-2021 EU MAP6 (consisting of two Commission decisions) is fully 
based  on  the  DCF  Regulation.  Since  2014,  the  European  Maritime  and  Fisheries  Fund 
(EMFF)7 provides the MS with financial support for data-collection activities. 

1  Regulation  (EU)  1380/2013  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  11  December  2013  on  the 
Common  Fisheries  Policy,  amending  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No  1954/2003  and  (EC)  No  1224/2009  and 
repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC, 
OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22. 
2  Other  legislation  may  have  independent  data  collection  obligations,  such  as  the  Deep  Sea  Regulation,  the 
Control  Regulation;  also  internationally  agreed  obligations,  such  as  the  ICCAT  Regulation,  a  multiannual 
recovery plan for Bluefin tuna  in  the eastern  Atlantic and  the Mediterranean, a  multiannual recovery plan  for 
Mediterranean  swordfish, the NAFO  Regulation, the  CCAMLR Regulation, the SPRFMO Regulation and the 
tuna-regional fisheries management organisations Regulation.  
3  Regulation  (EU)  2017/1004  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  17  May  2017  on  the 
establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and  
support for scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 
199/2008, OJ L 157, 20.6.2017, p. 1.  
4  Council  Regulation  (EC)  199/2008  of  25  February  2008  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  Community 
framework  for  the  collection,  management  and  use  of  data  in  the  fisheries  sector  and  support  for  scientific 
advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy, OJ L 60, 5.3.2008, p. 1. 
5  Council  Regulation  (EC)  199/2008  of  25  February  2008  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  Community 
framework  for  the  collection,  management  and  use  of  data  in  the  fisheries  sector  and  support  for  scientific 
advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy, OJ L 60, 5.3.2008, p. 1. 
6  Commission  Delegated  Decision  (EU)  2019/910  of  13  March  2019  establishing  the  multiannual  Union 
programme for the collection and management of biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data 
in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, OJ L 145, 4.6.2019, p. 27. 
7 Regulation (EU) 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the European 
Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2328/2003, (EC) No 861/2006, (EC) 
No 1198/2006 and (EC) No 791/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1255/2011 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council, OJ L 149, 20.5.2014, p. 1. 

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IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE LEGISLATION 

1.  Main players under the data collection framework 

1.1. Member States 

Member  States  are  responsible  for  the  collection  and  storage  of  data,  the  quality  and 
completeness of the primary data, and data protection in line with legal obligations. All MS 
have  a  system  in  place  for  collecting,  storing  and  managing  data,  and  all  have  submitted 
national work plans (covering 2017-2019 and 2020-2021) for adoption by the Commission. 
The work plan is implemented by one or more scientific institutes in the MS, often depending 
on the size and diversity of the fisheries. 

In  line  with  legal  obligations,  all  MS  organise  national  coordination  meetings  and  have 
designated  a  national  correspondent,  responsible  for  internal  coordination,  for  making 
available data to end users and for liaising with the Commission. A stable network of national 
correspondents  (under  the  subgroup  of  the  Expert  Group  on  Fisheries  Data  Collection)  has 
significantly  facilitated  the  cooperation  between  Commission  services  and  national 
administrations. 

1.2. Regional coordination groups 

Under the regionalisation approach, RCGs support  the implementation  of the  DCF  and  can 
submit  regional  work  plans  that  improve  coordination  in  the  corresponding  sea  basins,  to 
further underpin reliable scientific advice. As a member, the Commission participates in the 
annual and intersessional meetings. End users participate as observers (CSWD Annex 2). 

Six new RCGs have been created since the entry into force of the DCF Regulation. Two of 
them merged in 2019, which means there are five RCGs at present: RCG Baltic; RCG North 
Atlantic,  North  Sea  and  Eastern  Arctic;  RCG  Mediterranean  and  Black  Sea;  RCG  Large 
Pelagics; and RCG Long Distance Fisheries (CSWD Annex 2). The pan-European Planning 
Group on Economics (PGECON) coordinates on socio-economic issues. 

1.3. End users 

End  users  deliver  scientific  advice  or  have  research  or  management  interests  in  the 
(scientific) analysis of data in the fisheries sector. Key end users are: 

i) 

ii) 

the  International  Council  for  Exploration  of  the  Seas  (ICES),  which  provides 
scientific advice on marine resources in the north-east Atlantic; 
the  Scientific,  Technical  and  Economic  Committee  for  Fisheries  (STECF),  a 
Commission  expert  group  providing  advice  on  a  suite  of  issues  (including  data 
collection, discards policy, resource use in the Mediterranean and the economics 
of fleets); 
scientific  committees  of  regional  fisheries  management  organisations,  under 
sustainable fisheries partnership agreements, and other international organisations. 
Commission services (the Joint Research Centre (JRC), DG MARE) are also end users, e.g. 
for fisheries and aquaculture economic analysis. The DCF allows for use of data by a wide 

iii) 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
range  of  end  users.  The  group  of  key  end  users  has  remained  relatively  stable  over  the 
reporting period, with only a limited number of new end users added. 

End  users  receive  data  through  data  calls  issued  to  Member  States  or  under  reporting 
obligations  (in the case of  regional fisheries management organisations8).  In 2017-2019, 72 
data calls and reporting obligations were completed (CSWD Annex 3). 

1.4. Regional databases hosts 

Regional databases facilitate the work of end users in the sea basins. The databases allow to 
review data completeness and reliability, and to correct and reduce data errors. 

A single regional database exists for the four sea basins in the north-east Atlantic (Baltic Sea, 
North  Sea,  north-western  and  south-western  Union  waters).  Fishframe  is  hosted  by  ICES, 
which stores, manages and uses the data. ICES performs data calls through another database 
(Intercatch)  (CSWD  Annex  3).  Next  to  stock  advice,  this  database  has  enabled  ICES  to 
produce  and  deliver  regional  overviews  of  fisheries  and  sampling  designs  for  commercial 
fisheries.  ICES  aims  to  integrate  both  databases  into  one  regional  database  and  estimation 
system. 

For  the  Mediterranean  and  Black  Seas  no  regional  database  is  in  place  despite  a  series  of 
feasibility analyses. The Commission continues its efforts to identify a host for this database. 

The  JRC  hosts  an  EU-wide  database  on  fisheries  and  aquaculture  data,  including  publicly 
available  data.  The  JRC  prepares  the  data  which  are  used  for  specific  topics  (e.g.  fleet 
balance,  effort  regimes)  in  support  of  the  Commission  services  and  STECF  advisory  work, 
but also for research by third parties. The JRC supports work under the DCF by hosting the 
Data Transmission Monitoring Tool and the DCF website9. 

1.5. European Commission 

Besides  exercising  its  right  of  initiative  to  propose  legislation,  the  Commission  has  several 
roles under the DCF to ensure proper implementation. It approves MS’ national work plans 
(54  MS  work  plans/amendments  adopted  between  2017  and  2020)  and  assesses  their 
implementation through the annual reports (77 annual reports between 2017 and 2019), after 
evaluation by STECF. 

The Commission supports MS and RCGs in implementing the data-collection obligations and 
maintains close and regular contacts through visits and meetings (CSWD Annex 4). 

The  Commission  also  periodically  verifies  MS’  compliance  with  the  criteria  for  EMFF 
funding, assessing the quality and reliability of MS’ data transmission. 

1.6. Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries 

The  DCF  identifies  STECF  as  the  scientific  body  to  evaluate  the  MS’  national  work  plans 
and annual reports and to evaluate data issues. 

8 For institutional reasons, where the Commission represents the EU as a Contracting Party in regional fisheries 
management  organisations  the  Commission  requests  MS  submissions  of  the  necessary  data  and  reports  and 
forwards the data to the organisations. The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is an 
exception because part of the data is sent by Member States themselves. 
9 https://datacollection.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.html 

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To  ensure  the  scientific  quality  of  the  data  requirements,  STECF  (CSWD  Annex  5)  is  also 
consulted  on  the  development  and  adoption  of  Commission  decisions  (e.g.  EU  MAP, 
templates  for  work  plans  and  annual  reports)  and  on  data  quality  issues  pertaining  to  these 
decisions. 

1.7. Expert  Group  on  Fisheries  Data  collection  and  Committee  for  Fisheries  and 

Aquaculture 

The Commission Expert Group on Fisheries Data collection10 has subgroups: 

i) 
ii) 
iii) 
iv) 

National Correspondents group to coordinate DCF implementation by MS; 
Liaison meeting to coordinate RCGs on issues beyond marine regions; 
PGECON to coordinate socio-economic data collection; 
Data IT systems group – inactive. 

Subgroup meetings took place each year during the implementation period. These subgroups 
have provided advice on a range of topics. 

The Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture has provided positive advice on the draft 2020-
2021 EU MAP (implementing decision part). 

2.  Main tools and activities under the Data Collection Framework 

2.1. Multiannual Union programme 

The DCF provides for the EU MAP that details the requirements for data collection by MS, 
lists mandatory  scientific surveys at sea and sets thresholds for data  collection. Obligations 
under the EU MAP reflect the identified needs of the end users for data (CSWD Annex 6). 

The  2017-2019  EU  MAP11  was  followed  by  two  Commission  decisions12  forming  the  EU 
MAP 2020-2021, adopted in early 2019. 

The EU MAP beyond 2021 is under preparation, involving broad stakeholder, end-user and 
scientific consultations (CSWD Annex 7). It will be aligned with the new EMFF and include 
updates of the lists of species and management areas, and of economic and social variables. It 
will  also  include  a  review  of  the  requirements  on  data  collection  on  sensitive  species, 
recreational  fisheries,  diadromous species, aquaculture and marine ecosystems,  as well as  a 
review of the list of mandatory scientific surveys at sea and of thresholds for data collection. 

2.2. Multiannual work plans 

Under  the  EU  MAP,  MS  submit  to  the  Commission  multiannual  national  work  plans, 
following  templates  and  submission  guidelines  set  out  in  a  dedicated  Decision  (CSWD 

10 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regexpert/index.cfm?do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=2750  
11 This EU MAP was already partly aligned with the new DCF Regulation, notably regarding: 1) data collection 
based  on  end  users’  needs  and  adapted  per  marine  regional  level;  2)  data  allowing  for  science  and  resource 
management aligned with the CFP objective of maximum sustainable yield and the landing obligation; 3) data 
on the impact of fisheries on the broader marine environment (ecosystems, protected species, habitats);  and 4) 
more data on recreational fisheries, aquaculture, fisheries economics and fish processing. 
12 The split is a consequence of new provisions in the DCF Regulation (Article 4(1)). 

4 

 
 
 
                                                           
Annex 8)13. After a scientific review by STECF, the Commission approves the work plans. 
MS can submit amendments to their work plans each year. 

The Commission adopted 27 MS multiannual work plans for 2017-2019, plus 35 subsequent 
amendments (19 for 2018 to adjust to the DCF Regulation, and 16 for 2019). Amendments 
were made after i) observations by STECF or the Commission on the work plans adopted in 
2016,  ii)  observations  by  STECF  or  the  Commission  on  the  MS’  annual  report,  iii) 
recommendations  by  RCGs  and  PGECON,  and  iv)  changes  in  fisheries  with  effect  on  the 
sampling. 

In  December  2019  the  Commission  adopted  27  new  work  plans  under  the  2020-2021  EU 
MAP after positive assessment by STECF14. 

2.3. Annual reports 

MS  are  obliged  to  report  annually  on  the  implementation  of  their  work  plans,  following 
formats and timetables under a dedicated Decision15. During the 2017-2019 reporting period 
all MS submitted annual reports on time. 

STECF  assesses  the  MS’  annual  reports16.  On  this  basis,  and  using  the  Data  Transmission 
Monitoring Tool, the Commission engages with MS to ensure follow-up, in-year adjustments 
and  integration  of  the  conclusions  into  current  work  and  planning.  End  users  provide 
feedback  on  data  transmission  issues  (‘failures’),  which  are  analysed,  categorised  (by 
severity,  type,  coverage,  quality,  timeliness)  and  followed  up  with  MS17.  The  Commission 
has accelerated its action since 2018 and this has resulted in positive trends in solving data 
transmission issues and improving MS’ performance. 

In 2018-2019 the Commission  analysed MS’ performance during 2014-2017 in  light  of the 
non-compliance  criteria  for  funding  under  the  EMFF.  The  performance  of  21  MS  was 
considered  satisfactory.  The  analysis  identified  six  MS  whose  performance  and  delivery  of 
data needed significant improvement. In dialogue with these MS areas of improvements were 
identified and agreed, to be applied immediately and in the subsequent (amendments to their) 
work  plans.  With  one  of  these  six  MS  a  specific  plan  of  actions  was  agreed  (strictly 
implemented since 2020). Performance over 2018-2019 will be assessed in the second half of 
2020. 

Data collected on fisheries in the outermost regions in support of scientific advice and CFP 
implementation  in  general  has  identified  constraints.  In  2020  STECF  issued  advice  on 
improving data collection and DG MARE initiated a study to obtain a systematic overview of 
data needs and a possible future approach. 

2.4. Pilot studies 

13 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/1701 of 19 August.  
14 For 21 of these work plans STECF submitted comments to be considered for future submissions. 
15 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1283 of 24 August 2018.  
16 https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reports/dcf-dcr . 
17 While the large majority of end users provide feedback, there are exceptions  – e.g. GFCM has not provided 
end-user feedback broken down by MS. 

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Under the 2017-2019 and 2020-2021 EU MAPs, MS have to conduct pilot studies to explore 
and develop data-collection methods in several areas: 

i)  recreational fishing, 
ii)  impacts of fishing activities on marine biological resources and marine ecosystems, 
iii) social data on employment, and 
iv)  environmental data on aquaculture (CSWD Annex 9).  

Most  pilot  studies  are  still  being  conducted,  with  full  results  expected  in  2020-2022.  Once 
finalised,  their  results  are  to  be  fully  integrated  into  the  MS’  regular  data  collection 
activities18, and where appropriate coordinated at marine sea basin level by the RCGs. 

2.5. Regional approach to implementation 

EU data-collection legislation has long sought to promote regional cooperation, and regional 
coordination  meetings  have  been  held  since  the  mid-2000s.  Following  the  regionalisation 
approach in the new CFP, the DCF provides for the creation of RCGs. Regional cooperation 
improves  the  efficiency  and  effectiveness  of  data  collection  through  sharing  of  expertise, 
data,  knowledge  and  tasks  and  through  regional  collaboration  and  standardisation.  It  is 
expected to  bring  about  the harmonisation  of national work plans and to  eventually lead to 
regional work plans.  

RCGs bring together the MS by sea basin to coordinate planning and implementation of data 
collection.  All  RCGs  hold  annual  meetings  (CSWD  Annex  2)  and  most  organise 
intersessional  and  subgroup  meetings.  Financial  support  for  developing  regional  actions 
through the RCGs has been provided through study grants. 

RCGs  enhance  consistency  in  data  collection  in  a  sea  basin  through  agreed  methodologies 
and  approaches  to  respond  to  data  calls,  cooperation  on  scientific  surveys  run  by  MS  (e.g. 
task sharing), coordination of sampling activities, addressing data issues (e.g. quality checks 
before data uploads, follow-up of issues reported in the Data Transmission Monitoring Tool) 
and  coordination  of  work  related  to  regional  databases.  RCGs  also  work  at  a  pan-regional 
level  for  issues  relevant  to  other  sea  basins.  Their  decisions  and  actions  are  laid  down  in 
recommendations (CSWD Annex 10), discussed with STECF every year, and proper follow-
up is ensured. 

Since 2017 RCGs have started developing regional work plans. In the process, RCGs have to 
consider possible changes in sampling, constraints in funding, the challenge of implementing 
common  procedures  among  different  MS  and  linking  RCG  work  with  that  of  the  national 
administrations of the MS. 

RCGs  and  PGECON  meet  periodically  with  the  Commission,  national  correspondents  and 
end users to coordinate and discuss data collection activities in the liaison, joint-decision and 
end-user meetings. 

18  Preliminary  results  are  already  being  integrated  into  MS’  regular  data  collection  activities,  or  MS  are 
exploring alternatives where tested methods did not bring expected results. 

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In the annual liaison meetings RCG/PGECON chairs, the Commission and end users work on 
the following: 

i) 
ii) 
iii) 
iv) 
v) 
vi) 

ensuring convergence of RCGs’ work; 
addressing and grouping recommendations by RCGs to allow for synergies; 
strengthening the link between RCGs and PGECON; 
identifying pan-European issues and proposing actions; 
improving cooperation with end users and the Commission; and 
giving visibility to RCGs and PGECON. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  RCGs  with  end  users  (e.g.  ICES,  STECF,  RFMOs)  is  key  for 
identifying end users’ needs, for future data calls and for discussing data transmission issues. 

3.  Financing of data collection 

3.1. Funding under shared management 

The  EMFF  is  the  legal  basis  for  the  EU  funding  of  data  collection.  It  provides  for  data 
collection funding under shared management between the Commission and MS authorities19. 
The EMFF funding facilitates the implementation and proper functioning of the DCF and, by 
extension, of the scientific advice20. 

For 2014-2020, a total of EUR 532 million is earmarked for data collection by MS (CSWD 
Annex  11).  This  amount  is  allocated  in  national  envelopes  and  is  to  be  complemented  by 
national funding (totalling 25% of EU funding). 

A Fisheries and Aquaculture Monitoring and Evaluation21 report on DCF expenditure for MS 
during  the  EMFF  period  provides  financial  information  on  various  elements  of  data 
collection. Staff and research vessels account, on average, for almost 80% of total DCF costs 
while the collection of economic and social  data accounts  for about  7-8%. This  means that 
around  90%  of  the  costs  are  directly  or  indirectly  related  to  collection  of  biological  and 
environmental data. 

Compliance,  as  a  condition  for  EMFF  funding,  is  tested  against  five  criteria  set  out  in 
Regulation  (EU)  2015/193022.  Non-compliance  can  lead  to  suspension,  interruption  or 

19 Before 2014 data collection was financed under a direct management system. 
20  The  interim  evaluation  study  of  the  implementation  of  the  direct  management  component  of  the  EMFF 
concludes:  ‘Overall  the  scientific  advice  and  data  collection  funded  through  EMFF  direct  management  is 
delivered  through  well-established  processes  to  ensure  that  advice  and  data  are  effective  in  informing  CFP 
objectives’  (p.53).  The  period  related  to  this  report  was  2014-2016.  During  this  time  data  collection  and 
scientific  advice  were  implemented  under  the  direct  management  system.  https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-
detail/-/publication/1f424d68-d670-11e8-9424-01aa75ed71a1/language-en  
21 Fisheries and Aquaculture Monitoring and Evaluation support unit for the EMFF, categories of spending for 
data collection - final report 2020. Not publicly available. The relevant period for the data is 2017 and/or 2018, 
the most recent years for which data were available. Not all MS were surveyed. 
22  Commission  Delegated  Regulation  (EU)  2015/1930  of  28  July  2015  supplementing  Regulation  (EU)  No 
5508/2014  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the  European  Maritime  and  Fisheries  Fund  as 
regards  the  criteria  for  establishing  the  level  of  financial  correction  and  for  applying  flat  rate  financial 
corrections, and amending commission Regulation (EC) No 665/2008, OJ L 282, 28.10.2015, p. 2. 

7 

 
 
 
                                                           
recovery  of  financial  support23.  MS  have  performed  well  against  these  criteria  overall.  No 
infringements of data-collection obligations were identified and no financial actions initiated 
during the reporting period. 

3.2. Funding of regional grants under direct management 

The Commission has provided support to strengthen regional cooperation through an action 
grant24. The awarded studies (totalling almost EUR 2 million) have delivered tools, formats 
and  methodologies,  including  data-sharing  agreements  at  regional  level,  for  regional 
sampling for data collection on shared stocks (CSWD Annex 12). Four studies were funded: 
FishPi2  (fisheries  biological  data  in  the  North  Sea,  eastern  Arctic  and  north  Atlantic); 
STREAM  (fisheries  biological  data  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Black  Sea);  RECOLAPE 
(highly migratory species); and SECFISH (socio-economic data for fisheries, aquaculture and 
processing)25. 

The  studies  were  concluded  in  mid-2019  and  have  provided  a  suite  of  possible  tools  and 
proposals  for MS’ activities, notably in  areas of  new challenges, with  a regional  dimension 
(e.g.  data  on  protected  and  sensitive  species,  small-scale  fisheries  and  marine  recreational 
fisheries). The results can be used for development of regional work plans; alternatively, they 
could be used in a coordinated manner in national work plans. 

CONCLUSIONS 

Reliable  and  complete  data  are  the  backbone  for  the  development  of  the  best  available 
scientific advice, which in turn is key to decision-making and management under the CFP. 

Regulation  (EU)  2017/1004  creates  the  DCF.  It  is  a  well-established  regulatory  regime, 
providing  the  appropriate  structure,  tools  and  flexibility  for  data  collection  by  MS  in  the 
fisheries and aquaculture sectors, in support of science and scientific advice. 

As a decentralised system where MS collect, hold and submit the data to end users, the DCF 
depends crucially on the complex coordination between the players concerned. These are in 
particular  the  Commission,  which  oversees  and  supports  the  implementation;  the  Member 
State  bodies,  which  collect  the  data;  the  regional  coordination  groups,  which  standardise 
methods  and  processes  at  the  regional  level;  and  the  end  users  of  the  data.  The  latter  are 
fundamental  in  defining  data  needs  and  providing  feedback  on  the  quality  of  the  data 
submitted. 

The  necessary  structures  and  operating  arrangements  for  this  process  are  by  now  well 
understood,  used  and  accepted  by  all  players  involved,  including  internationally.  The 
appointment of national correspondents has been important for systematising collaboration on 
implementation  between  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States.  EU  funding  for  data 
collection under the EMFF shows a  relatively high uptake, which could  be interpreted as  a 

23 The criteria are the following: collection of data, national coordination of data collection activities, regional 
coordination  with  the  Member  States,  submission  of  annual  reports,  and  provision  of  data  to  end  users  (data 
transmission failures). 
24 MARE 2016/22, https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/call-proposals-mare201622_en  
25 https://datacollection.jrc.ec.europa.eu/regional-coordination  

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commitment  by  Member  States  to  invest  in  and  deliver  on  data  collection.  The  active 
engagement  of  the  Commission  (supported  by  STECF)  with  the  Member  States  allows  for 
continued monitoring and improvements. 

Under  the  new  CFP,  the  DCF  puts  stronger  emphasis  on  regionalisation.  The  RCGs  are 
developing  their  role  and  have  become  more  solidly  anchored  during  the  reporting  period, 
resulting in consolidation of their working methods. With the support of specific study grants, 
the  first  tangible  results  were  obtained  (in  the  form  of  tools  and  proposals  for  regional 
sampling  for  different  regions).  In  expanding  and  intensifying  their  operations,  RCGs  are 
now facing operational limitations and may require further support for their functioning in the 
coming  period.  Future  developments  should  result  in  regional  work  plans,  to  be  agreed  at 
RCG  level  and  implemented  by  MS,  and  in  the  identification  of  a  host  for  the  regional 
database for the Mediterranean and Black Sea and its subsequent implementation. 

The overall focus for the next years of the DCF should be on solidifying its implementation 
in continued cooperation with the MS. This includes addressing upcoming challenges (such 
as  on  protected,  endangered  and  threatened  species  or  broader  ecosystem  knowledge); 
responding to and integrating evolving data needs (as identified by end users); streamlining 
and  simplifying  processes;  and  further  improving  and  harmonising  methods  and  their 
application at sea-basin level. For the EU MAP from 2021, both MS and the RCGs have clear 
challenges  ahead:  to  ensure  the  results  of  the  pilot  and  grant  studies  are  integrated  into  the 
MS’ national  work plans, and to  ensure RCGs prepare regional work plans, notably for the 
new challenges. 

Predictability for the many players in data collection is a vital prerequisite to ensure the long- 
term functioning of data collection and, by extension, of scientific advice under the CFP. In 
addition  to  providing a stable outlook for the  DCF and  related legislation, the  allocation of 
sufficient funding under the new EMFF, from both Union and national sources, is crucial. 

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