Current Legislation

The Data Collection Framework Regulation sets out the basic principles and the general rules on the collection, management and use of data, in line with the CFP. It contains provisions on:

• the multiannual Union programme and its implementation by Member States,
• the communication between the Commission and Member States through the national correspondents,
• the role of regional coordination groups,
• the storage and sharing of data and
• the support to scientific advice.

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) [here]

In October 2020, a report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the DCF was published [here]

The EU multiannual programme for data collection establishes the data requirements to be collected, the list of mandatory surveys in each sea basin and the thresholds to collect data. In line with the DCF Regulation, it is composed of two legal acts:

• Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167 of 27 April 2021 establishing the multiannual Union programme for the collection and management of biological environmental, technical and socioeconomic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from 2022 [here]
• Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1168 of 27 April 2021 establishing the list of mandatory surveys and thresholds as part of the multiannual Union programme for the collection and management of data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from 2022 [here]

The Member States are requested to draw up a work plan in accordance with the EU multiannual programme, using the work plan template provided by the Commission. The Member States are requested to submit an annual report on the implementation of their work plan, using the annual report template provided by the Commission.

• Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/39 of 12 January 2022 laying down rules on the format and timetables for the submission of national work plans and annual reports on data collection in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and repealing Implementing Decisions (EU) 2016/1701 and (EU) 2018/1283 [here]