European Fisheries Control Agency facts for kids
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 The Odriozola building, housing the EFCA's headquarters |
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1 February 2006 |
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| Jurisdiction | European Union |
| Headquarters | Vigo, Spain |
| Employees | 104 |
| Agency executive |
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| Key document |
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The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is an important agency of the European Union (EU). Its main job is to help EU countries work together to control fishing activities. It also helps them follow the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The agency's main office is in Vigo, Spain.
Contents
History of the EFCA
The EFCA started out with a different name. It was first called the Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA). This agency was officially created on April 26, 2005. Its first main meeting happened on February 1, 2006. Then, on January 1, 2012, its name was changed to the European Fisheries Control Agency. New rules for the agency were put into place in 2019.
What Does the EFCA Do?
The EFCA's main goal is to make sure fishing rules are followed across the EU. They want to set high standards for checking and watching fishing boats.
Working Together for Fair Fishing
The EFCA helps EU countries work together. They also assist the European Commission. The agency organizes and coordinates how countries check fishing activities. They train national inspectors too. This helps make sure that the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) are followed well and fairly everywhere.
The EFCA wants to make sure that everyone in the fishing industry follows the same rules. This creates a "level playing field" for all. It also helps make sure that fishing is done in a way that protects fish for the future. This is called sustainable fisheries.
Helping with Coast Guard Duties
The EFCA also works with other important agencies. These are the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency. Together, they help national authorities with their coast guard jobs. Each agency helps within its own area of responsibility.
How the EFCA is Organized
The EFCA has two main groups that help it run smoothly. These are the Administrative Board and the Advisory Board.
The Administrative Board
The Administrative Board is like the EFCA's governing body. It has six people from the European Commission. It also has one person from each EU country. An Executive Director manages the agency day-to-day.
The Board decides what the agency's main goals and work plans will be. They also approve its budget. This budget must first be approved by the European Parliament and the Council. The Board also chooses the Executive Director. Board members are chosen for five years. They are experts in fisheries control.
The Board also picks a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson. They serve for three years. The Board usually meets twice a year.
The Executive Director's Role
The Executive Director is in charge of the EFCA's daily work. They also manage the agency generally. They prepare the yearly budget and work plan. They report to the Administrative Board. The Executive Director is chosen for a five-year term.
The Advisory Board
The Advisory Board gives advice to the Executive Director. This board helps the EFCA work closely with people involved in fishing. It is made up of representatives from different Advisory Councils. Each Advisory Council sends one representative. The Executive Director leads the meetings of this board.
A representative from the Advisory Board can attend Administrative Board meetings. They can join discussions but cannot vote. This representative changes each year.
Advisory Councils are groups that include people from the fishing industry. They also have members from other interested groups. These councils give advice to the European Commission and EU countries. Their advice is about how to manage fisheries.
Some of the Advisory Councils include:
- Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC)
- South Western Waters Advisory Council (SWWAC)
- Long Distance Advisory Council (LDAC)
- Mediterranean Advisory Council (MEDAC)
- Pelagic Advisory Council (Pelagic AC)
- North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC)
- North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC)
EFCA's Main Activities
Working in the EU
The EFCA helps coordinate fishing checks on land and in EU waters. They do this through "joint deployment plans" (JDPs). These plans bring together people and equipment from different EU countries. The EFCA coordinates where these national teams go. This coordination happens at special centers or at the EFCA's own offices.
EU countries are responsible for applying fishing rules in their own areas. But the EFCA helps make sure these rules are applied in the same way everywhere. This makes the rules more effective.
Working with Other Countries
The EFCA also helps the European Union with fishing rules around the world. They help fight against Illegal, Unreported and Undeclared (IUU) fishing. This is fishing that breaks the rules.
The EFCA helps the EU work with countries outside the EU. They also work with international groups that deal with fishing. This helps make sure fishing rules are followed everywhere.
The European Commission makes agreements with non-EU countries about sustainable fishing. The EFCA can help these countries learn how to control and inspect fishing.
The EFCA also helps EU countries follow rules against IUU fishing. They hold workshops and seminars for national governments. The EFCA also helps the European Commission check other countries to make sure they are following IUU rules.
In 2016, the EFCA's coordinated efforts led to many inspections. They carried out almost 19,500 inspections. These inspections found 665 possible rule breaches.
EFCA's Pennant
Image:Pennant of the European Union Fishery Inspection.svg Even though the EU doesn't have a special flag for its civilian ships, its Fishery Inspection teams use a blue and yellow pennant. A pennant is a long, narrow flag. This pennant is flown by inspection vessels in EU waters. The flag is shaped like a triangle. It is divided into four parts, with blue and yellow colors. There are no other versions of this flag used by the EU.
See also
In Spanish: Agencia Europea de Control de la Pesca para niños
- European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Council of the European Union)
- Directorate-General for Agriculture, Fisheries, Social Affairs and Health
- European Parliament Committee on Fisheries
