EU fisheries control finds 16 vessel infringements in Cyprus’ EEZ

Following an inspection of 18 fishing vessels within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), 16 infringements were recorded, it was announced on Wednesday.

Infringements might include such issues as the use of prohibited equipment by trawlers and other vessels.

The inspections were carried out by the EU fisheries control campaign for 2021 under the auspices of the European Joint Fisheries Control Agency.

The programme essentially gathers the resources and instruments of seven member states of the – Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain – and covers all stages of the supply chain, including controls at sea in EU waters and international waters. Member states’ patrol vessels take part in the programme.
The latest campaign took place on board the Italian vessel Nave Gregoretti CP-920, which carried out work in three different parts of the Eastern Mediterranean between November 7 and 28.

The last few days exclusively involved monitoring Cyprus’ EEZ. Among the staff were three Cypriots and one person from Greece.
“The presence of the Italian patrol vessel in the area confirms the significance of mobilising means of control and surveillance of EU waters, including the area of Eastern Mediterranean,” an official announcement said.