The European Commission has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Russian vessels, emphasizing existing multilateral mechanisms and sanctions rather than announcing new measures. In a written reply to a parliamentary question from MEP Mariusz Kamiński (ECR), Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen outlined the EU's approach to addressing Russian IUU fishing, which she said undermines marine sustainability and distorts competition for European fishers. The response, delivered within the parliamentary timeframe, signals continued vigilance through sustainable fisheries partnership agreements, regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and targeted sanctions designed to limit Russia's war revenues while minimizing disruption to EU supply chains.
This reply follows a series of recent EU fisheries initiatives. On April 14, Commissioner von der Leyen addressed Mediterranean fishing day limits and small-scale fishers' economic concerns, highlighting the role of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in providing scientific advice. That same day, Commissioner Kadis championed remote electronic monitoring (REM) systems to enforce the landing obligation under Regulation (EU) 2023/2842. On March 30, Kadis proposed smart implementation of the Control Regulation, including harmonized weighing procedures, and on November 10, 2025, he outlined plans to strengthen the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and Mediterranean governance. Earlier, on November 5, 2025, Kadis presented a Vision 2040 and Blue Generational Renewal Strategy, and on November 4, 2025, he called for stronger compliance at the 48th GFCM annual session.
The Commission's stance on Russian IUU fishing reiterates commitments made in prior coverage. The EU's participation in RFMOs, as noted in the November 2025 GFCM address, remains a cornerstone of its multilateral approach. The reply also echoes the emphasis on cooperation with coastal States, particularly in West Africa, where Russian vessels operate under legal bilateral agreements—complicating the 'illegal' label. Commissioner von der Leyen stressed that the EU is advancing cooperative surveillance enhancements with partner countries, building on the EFCA's role in combating IUU fishing, as highlighted in the November 2025 speech.
On sanctions, the Commission confirmed it is carefully tailoring measures to constrain Russian revenues from fisheries without disproportionate fallout on EU trade, consistent with the broader sanctions regime aimed at Russia's war economy. This approach aligns with the EU's balancing act between sustainability and socio-economic needs, as outlined in Kadis's November 2025 Vision 2040. The reply also references the GFCM's 2025 fishing limits, set based on scientific advice for Mediterranean stocks, and the ICES April 18 advice for a total ban on European eel catch, which underscores the EU's commitment to science-based management.
Major stakeholders affected include West African coastal nations, which benefit from enhanced monitoring, and EU fishing industries facing indirect competition from Russian vessels. The Commission's response, while not introducing new targets or bodies, signals ongoing institutional efforts to address IUU fishing and its geopolitical ramifications, maintaining a firm stance without escalating unilateral constraints.
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