The European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO) has voiced intense criticism of the EU’s latest fisheries control and enforcement proposals.

EAPO, representing 31 producer groups from 12 EU countries, says it supports better monitoring at sea but warns that the current approach risks harming trust between the fishing industry and Brussels.

Timing is called “poor”

The group’s main complaint is the short consultation period. The European Commission gave just four weeks for feedback — right in the middle of the summer holidays.

EAPO argues this timing made full participation impossible.

“This left little time for proper analysis of a highly technical law and its impacts,” the association said. Fishermen’s groups rely on gathering input from members across many regions and types of fisheries, something that takes time.

Heavy burden on vessels

EAPO’s submission also points to practical problems in the plan. These include:

  • More paperwork and administrative work for crews
  • Implementation challenges without enough transition support
  • Legal grey areas and inconsistencies
  • Complex inspection rules
  • Financial impacts of having control observers onboard

The group warns that such measures, if poorly designed, could make compliance impossible for some operators.

Call for honest dialogue.

The association stresses it is ready to work with the Commission. But it wants a more inclusive, “forward-looking” process that gives stakeholders and EU member states enough time to review and comment.

“We are committed to constructive dialogue,” said EAPO president Esben Sverdrup-Jensen. “The goal should be control rules that work in practice and support sustainable fishing, not unrealistic demands.”

EAPO says the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) already sets clear aims for sustainable food production, environmental care, and economic viability.

The challenge is to design control measures that help — rather than hinder — those goals.

Without changes, the group fears the new framework could add strain to an industry already facing high costs and environmental pressures.