Last week, crucial new EU fisheries control rules started to apply, as the first modernised implementing and delegated acts under the revised EU Fisheries Control Regulation took effect on 10 January 2026. Although the revision of the Control Regulation itself (Regulation (EU) 2023/2842) entered into force back in January 2024, many of its core obligations are only now being operationalised through these detailed acts, with further provisions to follow in a phased manner. Together, the new framework is expected to transform how fishing activities and seafood supply chains are monitored and traced “from net to plate,” affecting vessel operations, first sale, logistics, processing, imports and retail. When the revision was agreed, it was widely welcomed by environmental civil society organisations as a long-awaited step towards more effective, digital and harmonised control of EU fisheries; but what exactly is the Control Regulation, and what impacts will the entry into application of these implementing and delegated acts have in practice?
What the EU Control Regulation is
The EU Fisheries Control Regulation is the core enforcement pillar of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): it sets the rules on how fishing activities are monitored, checked and sanctioned across all EU waters and fleets. It complements the CFP’s conservation rules (like TACs, effort limits, technical measures) by making sure catches are reported correctly, landings are traceable, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is detected and punished.
Today’s system is built on Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, as extensively amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 . From 10 January 2026, new implementing and delegated rules become applicable and give concrete detail on how monitoring, reporting, weighing, gear‑marking and traceability must work in practice.
Why it matters for fisheries and seafood
- Healthy stocks : effective control is critical to keep fishing within scientific limits and to give compliant operators a level playing field against those who under‑report or fish illegally.
- Market access and reputation: the EU links control and traceability to IUU import controls and consumer information, so weak compliance can translate into lost market access or reputational damage along the value chain.
- Data‑driven management: more accurate, near‑real‑time data on catches, discards and effort allow managers and RFMOs to adjust measures, protect sensitive species and justify continued access to valuable fisheries.
Key changes coming into effect in 2026
1. Full digitalisation of control and reporting: Electronic logbooks become mandatory for vessels of 12 m and above, with haul‑by‑haul reporting for many fleets (= “Haul‑by‑haul reporting” means that the vessel has to record and report its catch and related information separately for each individual fishing operation (each haul/tow/set), rather than just providing one aggregated report for the whole trip or day). Further extension of the e-logbook requirement to all vessel sizes is expected over the coming years. This move away from paper‑based reporting will not only apply to the fishing operations itself: paper-based landing declarations, transport documents and sales notes are being phased out. Operators must record and submit these data digitally so authorities can cross‑check information quickly and share it between Member States. For seafood businesses this means tighter alignment between onboard reporting, first sale documentation, and the information systems used by buyers, transporters and cold stores. Traceability software will likely become a practical compliance issue, not a “nice to have”
2. Stronger vessel monitoring and gear-marking: Masters must comply with stricter VMS requirements, including more frequent position reports when fishing in or near restricted areas, improving the ability to detect fishing in closed zones. Additionally, new rules on marking and identifying vessels and passive fishing gear (such as gillnets and pots) apply to all vessels, including foreign vessels like UK boats when operating in EU waters. These measures should make it easier for inspectors and coastguards to link gear found at sea to specific vessels, reducing ghost gear and unlicensed fishing, and improving confidence that fishing effort is controlled.
3. Digital traceability “from net to plate”: Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 introduces an obligation to record and transmit traceability information digitally at all stages of the supply chain for all fresh, frozen and aquaculture products, with phased expansion to processed products. Digital traceability systems must link final products back to catch information (vessel, area, gear, dates), improving control against IUU fishing and giving more reliable origin information to buyers and consumers. For processors, traders and retailers, this will require consistent product codinng and batch management; robust data exchange with suppliers; and the ability to respond quickly to control authority queries on a product’s history.
4. Enhanced control of recreational fisheries: From 10 January 2026, new measures for marine recreational fisheries under the revised Control Regulation enter into force, requiring registration or licensing and electronic catch reporting for recreational fishers targeting certain stocks. These data will be used to include recreational catches in stock assessments and ensure that total fishing mortality (commercial plus recreational) stays within sustainable limits. Not particularly relevant for the seafood sector itself, which is unlikely to trade recreational catch, but nonetheless a positive to see this often overlooked impact on stocks included in the scope of the revisions.
5. More harmonised sanctions and increased IUU focus: The revised system seeks more harmonised definitions of serious infringements and more comparable sanctions across Member States, reducing the scope for “sanctions shopping”. It is closely linked with strengthened IUU rules entering into effect around 10 January 2026, affecting documentation and controls for both EU and non‑EU products. For exporters and importers, this means closer scrutiny of catch certificates, re‑exports and supply chains, as authorities gain better tools and data to detect inconsistencies.
Conclusion
The new EU Fisheries Control Regulation entering into force from 10 January 2026 provides seafood professionals with an opportunity to strengthen supply chain integrity, meet rising consumer demands for transparency, and position themselves as leaders in sustainable sourcing. Done properly, operators who adapt early to digital reporting, traceability and monitoring may gain competitive advantages in markets valuing verified legality and environmental performance.
Hope this article has been useful in navigating these changes! Interested in learning more about technology for responsible management of fisheries? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get out latest videos and podcast episodes!
Any questions? Let us know at eva@naturaljustice.nl.
Sources
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Eva van Heukelom, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organisations, institutions, or entities. The analysis and conclusions presented are based on the author’s independent research and interpretation. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, no guarantee is given regarding its completeness or applicability to any particular situation. Beyond the sources explicitly cited in the footnotes, the author has also drawn inspiration from the following sources:
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 (fisheries control), Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006 and (EC) No 1005/2008, and Regulations (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2017/2403 and (EU) 2019/473
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (consolidated text incorporating 2023/2842 amendments)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1766 of 27 August 2025 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 by laying down rules on the control of fishing activities
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196
- European Commission Press Release: “The EU fisheries control system gets a major revamp”(9 January 2024)
- European Commission: “Control regulation” overview page, explaining objectives, scope and links to CFP enforcement
- ScienceDirect, Common Fisheries Policy – an overview (ScienceDirect Topics, accessed 13 January 2026) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/common-fisheries-policy
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