Implementing decision 2023/2517 - Amendment of Implementing Decision 2014/170/EU establishing a list of non-cooperating third countries in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as regards Trinidad and Tobago - Main contents

Official Journal

of the European Union

EN

Series L

2023/2517

13.11.2023

Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishes a Union system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Chapter VI of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 lays down the procedures with regard to the identification of non-cooperating third countries, démarches in respect of identified non-cooperating third countries, the establishment of a list of such countries, their removal from that list, the publicity of that list, and any emergency measures.

On 24 March 2014, the Council adopted Implementing Decision 2014/170/EU (2), establishing a list of non-cooperating third countries in fighting IUU fishing pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008.

In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, the Commission notified the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (‘Trinidad and Tobago’), by its Decision of 21 April 2016 (3) of the possibility of its identification as a country which the Commission considers to be a non-cooperating third country.

In its Decision of 21 April 2016, the Commission included information on the essential facts and considerations underlying such possible identification.

The Decision of 21 April 2016 was notified to Trinidad and Tobago together with a letter inviting Trinidad and Tobago to implement, in close cooperation with the Commission, a plan of action to rectify the identified shortcomings.

By its Decision of 21 April 2016, the Commission opened a dialogue process with Trinidad and Tobago.

In particular, the Commission invited Trinidad and Tobago to take all necessary measures to implement the actions contained in the plan of action suggested by the Commission and to assess their implementation.

Trinidad and Tobago was given the opportunity to respond to the Decision of 21 April 2016 as well as to other relevant information communicated by the Commission, and to submit evidence refuting or completing the facts set out in that Decision. Trinidad and Tobago was assured of its right to ask for or provide additional information.

The Commission has continued to seek and verify all relevant information. The oral and written comments submitted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Decision of 21 April 2016 were considered and taken into account. Meetings were held between Trinidad and Tobago and the Commission, both in person and virtually, to discuss relevant points. Trinidad and Tobago was kept informed, either orally or in writing, of the Commission’s considerations.

On the basis of the information gathered, the Commission established that the areas of concern and shortcomings set out in the Decision of 21 April 2016 had not been addressed sufficiently by Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, the Commission concluded that the measures...