At the end of August 2025, EFTTA responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on new Fisheries Control Rules — and raised one crucial point: what exactly does “vessel” mean in the context of recreational fishing?
In Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/274, Annex II lists four recreational fishing modes:
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From the shore
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From a vessel
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Under the water
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From ice
However, under the main Control Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, a fishing vessel means any vessel equipped for commercial exploitation. This inconsistency could cause confusion — especially if kayaks, rowing boats or small electric craft were suddenly treated as “vessels” requiring registration or monitoring.
EFTTA’s message to Brussels
Together with the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), we asked the Commission to:
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Clarify whether small craft such as rowboats, kayaks, belly boats or floating platforms fall under the “vessel” category;
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Specify if and when registration should apply, and according to which criteria (e.g., size, propulsion, or area of use).
These clarifications are important to keep the rules simple, fair and the same everywhere — and to avoid extra paperwork for anglers.
Feedback from other stakeholders
Commercial fisheries bodies warned that the draft rules add administrative burden without clear benefit. Environmental NGOs, by contrast, welcomed stronger and more detailed control measures — especially on data collection, gear marking and bycatch reporting.
The next step
EFTTA will continue engaging with the Commission and Member States to ensure recreational fisheries are fairly and clearly treated within the EU control framework and upcoming fisheries statistics regulation (COM (2025) 435).
More:
=> The EC Public Consultation
=> EFTTA's response
=> EC Proposal Fisheries Control Regulation
