Date: 2025-05-02Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837 of 7 February 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean
Issued by European Commission
· Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
## Policy Analysis Report: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837 Amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 Regarding Bluefin Tuna Management
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837, which amends Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 concerning the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The core purpose of this amendment is to incorporate recommendations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) following its 2024 annual meeting into Union law. Key changes relate to fishing capacity management plans, particularly concerning purse seine vessels, a pilot project for farming bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea, adjustments for small-scale coastal vessels, and designates the European Fisheries Control Agency as the body to handle inspection reports. These amendments aim to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of bluefin tuna stocks.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837 based solely on the text provided. This regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2023/2053, focusing on the management of bluefin tuna fisheries. The analysis will cover the background, rationale, key changes, target audience, inferred implementation aspects, and expected outcomes of these amendments.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy Being Amended:** Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
* **Core Objective(s):** As inferred from the text, the core objective of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of bluefin tuna stocks in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. This is achieved through a multiannual management plan that regulates fishing activities.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment is driven by the need to incorporate recommendations adopted by ICCAT at its 2024 annual meeting (recommendations 24-05 and 24-06) into Union law. The text specifically mentions provisions on increasing bluefin tuna fleets through conversion, a derogation for an increase of small-scale coastal vessels in the Gulf of Lion, and an extension of the bluefin tuna farming pilot project in the Cantabrian Sea. These changes reflect adjustments to management strategies based on ICCAT's assessments and recommendations. The amendment also seeks to improve reporting efficiency by designating the European Fisheries Control Agency as the authority to handle inspection reports.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This delegated regulation amends Regulation EU 2023/2053, introducing the following changes:
* **Article 13 (Annual fishing capacity management plans):**
* **Original Policy:** Requires Member States to establish annual fishing capacity management plans to ensure fishing capacity is commensurate with allocated fishing opportunities.
* **New Provision:** Allows Member States to increase the number of purse seine vessels through conversion from other bluefin tuna fleets, provided the fishing capacity remains commensurate with available opportunities and there is no overall capacity increase. Specifies the 2009 SCRS catch rates as the basis for fleet conversion ratios.
* **Effect of Change:** Introduces flexibility in managing purse seine vessel numbers by allowing conversion from other fleets, promoting potentially more efficient resource allocation while maintaining overall capacity limits.
* **Article 17(4a):**
* **Original Policy:** Not directly referenced in the provided text, but it seemingly outlines general rules for fishing.
* **New Provision:** Allows Spain to request in its 2025 annual fishing plan that purse seine vessels involved in the Cantabrian Sea pilot project be allowed to fish in ICES area 27.8.b and 27.8.c from 26 May 2025 until 30 September 2025.
* **Effect of Change:** Grants a specific exception for purse seine vessels participating in the Cantabrian Sea pilot project, enabling them to fish in designated areas within a defined timeframe, thereby facilitating the project's execution.
* **Annex I:**
* **Original Policy:** Limits the number of baitboats, trolling boats, artisanal fleets, and catching vessels.
* **New Provision:** Allows an increase of up to 10 in the number of small-scale coastal vessels operating in the Gulf of Lion compared to the number recorded in 2008. Also allows France to catch a maximum of 100 tonnes of bluefin tuna in the Bay of Biscay under specific conditions.
* **Effect of Change:** Provides specific adjustments to capacity limitations, enabling a modest increase in the small-scale fleet in the Gulf of Lion and allowing a targeted catch for French vessels in the Bay of Biscay.
* **Annex IX:**
* **Original Policy:** Addresses inspection procedures and reporting.
* **New Provision:** Designates the European Fisheries Control Agency as the body to receive inspection reports and send copies to relevant parties (flag State of the inspected vessel, ICCAT Secretariat, and the Commission).
* **Effect of Change:** Centralizes the handling of inspection reports within the European Fisheries Control Agency, aiming to streamline the reporting process and improve efficiency.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* Member States with bluefin tuna quotas, particularly Spain and France due to specific provisions related to the Cantabrian Sea pilot project and Bay of Biscay catch.
* Owners and operators of purse seine vessels, baitboats, trolling boats, artisanal fleets, and catching vessels involved in bluefin tuna fisheries.
* Small-scale coastal fishers operating in the Gulf of Lion.
* The European Fisheries Control Agency.
* ICCAT.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies:** Member States, the European Fisheries Control Agency, and the Commission.
* **Timelines:** Specific timelines are mentioned for the Cantabrian Sea pilot project (May 26, 2025 - September 30, 2025). Member States must incorporate these changes into their annual fishing capacity management plans.
* **Procedures:** Member States requesting a fleet conversion must include details in their annual fishing capacity plans. The European Fisheries Control Agency will handle inspection reports and disseminate them to relevant parties.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes of these changes are:
* Increased flexibility for Member States in managing their fishing fleets, particularly purse seine vessels.
* Facilitation of the bluefin tuna farming pilot project in the Cantabrian Sea, potentially contributing to sustainable aquaculture practices.
* Support for small-scale coastal fisheries in the Gulf of Lion.
* Improved efficiency in reporting and managing bluefin tuna fisheries through the centralized role of the European Fisheries Control Agency.
* Contribution to the long-term conservation and sustainable management of bluefin tuna stocks in accordance with ICCAT recommendations.
**9. Conclusion:**
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837 introduces targeted amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 to reflect ICCAT recommendations and address specific operational needs in the bluefin tuna fishery. The changes aim to balance flexibility for Member States and fishers with the overarching goal of sustainable resource management. The centralized reporting role of the European Fisheries Control Agency further contributes to improved monitoring and enforcement of bluefin tuna management measures. These amendments are significant for stakeholders involved in the bluefin tuna fishery, requiring them to adapt their practices to comply with the updated regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: The supranational political and economic union of European countries.
L series 2025/837: Reference to the official journal series and number of the regulation.
2.5.2025: Date of the Official Journal of the European Union.
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2025/837: The specific regulation being analyzed.
7 February 2025: Date of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/837
Regulation (EU) 2023/2053: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council being amended.
European Parliament: One of the legislative bodies of the European Union.
Council: One of the legislative bodies of the European Union; here refers to the Council of the European Union.
bluefin tuna: The species of fish being managed by the regulation.
eastern Atlantic: One of the geographical areas where the bluefin tuna management applies.
Mediterranean: One of the geographical areas where the bluefin tuna management applies.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION: The executive branch of the European Union.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: The treaty that defines the scope of the EU's powers.
13 September 2023: Date of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053
Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU) No 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833: Regulations being amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2053.
Regulation (EU) 2016/1627: Regulation being repealed by Regulation (EU) 2023/2053.
Article 66, paragraph 1, points c, e and k: Specific article and points within Regulation EU 2023/2053 authorizing the delegated act.
Union: Refers to the European Union.
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT): The international organization responsible for the conservation of Atlantic tunas.
Council Decision 86/238/EEC: Council Decision on the accession of the Community to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
2024 annual meeting: The annual meeting of ICCAT in 2024.
recommendation 24-05: ICCAT recommendation related to the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean.
Gulf of Lion: A geographical area in the Mediterranean Sea where small-scale coastal vessels operate.
Mediterranean Sea: Sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
recommendation 24-06: ICCAT recommendation extending the framework for a bluefin tuna farming pilot project.
30 September 2025: Date until the framework for a bluefin tuna farming pilot project is extended.
Cantabrian Sea: Geographic location of the bluefin tuna farming pilot project.
ICCAT recommendation 23-08: ICCAT recommendation establishing the framework for a bluefin tuna farming pilot project in the Cantabrian Sea
European Fisheries Control Agency: The EU agency responsible for coordinating fisheries control and inspection activities.
Annex IX of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053: Annex to the regulation that should be amended.
Article 13: Article in Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 that is replaced by the current regulation.
Member State: A country that is part of the European Union.
Annual fishing capacity management plans: Plans established by Member States with a bluefin tuna quota.
ICCAT in 2018: Reference year for the baseline fishing capacity.
SCRS: Scientific Committee for Research and Statistics (of ICCAT).
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202: Council regulation fixing fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks.
30 January 2025: Date of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202.
2025 and 2026: Years for which the Council Regulation EU 2025/202 fixes the fishing opportunities.
Regulation (EU) 2023/194: Regulation that is amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202.
Article 17: Article in Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 that is amended by the current regulation.
Spain: A Member State that may request a derogation in its annual fishing plan.
Article 11: Article in Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 that refers to the annual fishing plan.
26 May 2025: Date from which purse seine vessels involved in the pilot project can fish.
Cantabrian Sea ICES fishing area 27.8.b and 27.8.c: Specific fishing area where purse seine vessels are allowed to fish.
Annex I: Annex to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 that is amended by the current regulation.
baitboats and trolling boats: Type of vessels authorized to fish actively bluefin tuna.
2006: Reference year for the number of baitboats and trolling boats.
artisanal fleet: Fleet authorized to fish actively bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean.
2008: Reference year for the number of vessels in the artisanal fleet.
Adriatic Sea: Sea where catching vessels are authorized to fish actively bluefin tuna.
France: Member State with a derogation regarding bluefin tuna fishing.
Bay of Biscay: Area where vessels flying the flag of France are operating.
Brussels: Location where the regulation was adopted.
Ursula VON DER LEYEN: The President of the European Commission.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/837 2.5.2025
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION(EU) 2025/837
of 7 February 2025
amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the
management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023
establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, amending
Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU) No 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2016/1627(1),
and in particular Article 66, paragraph 1, points (c), (e) and (k), thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Union is party to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), having
approved the accession to the ICCAT Convention pursuant to Council Decision 86/238/EEC(2).
(2) ICCAT adopts measures to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the
ICCAT Convention area and to safeguard the marine ecosystems in which these resources occur. Such measures are
binding upon the Union.
(3) Since the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053, ICCAT has adopted, at its 2024 annual meeting, recommendation
24-05(3) in relation to the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. ICCAT
recommendation 24-05 includes provisions on the increase of bluefin tuna fleets through the conversion of existing
fishing capacity.
(4) Furthermore, recommendation 24-05 establishes a derogation allowing for an increase of small-scale coastal vessels
licensed to operate in the Gulf of Lion of the Mediterranean Sea, including an increase of quota allocation to this
small-scale fleet.
(5) At its 2024 annual meeting, ICCAT also adopted recommendation 24-06(4), which extends, until 30 September
2025, the framework for a bluefin tuna farming pilot project in the Cantabrian Sea as established in ICCAT
recommendation 23-08(5). Due to administrative delays, this project could not be implemented in 2024, and the
Union therefore sought the endorsement of the ICCAT Commission to extend the project through to 2025.
(6) Moreover, the European Fisheries Control Agency should be designated as the authority to handle inspection reports,
in order to improve reporting efficiency. Annex IX of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 should therefore be amended
accordingly.
(1) Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 establishing a multiannual
management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, amending Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU)
No 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2016/1627 (OJ L 238, 27.9.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/
eli/reg/2023/2053/oj).
(2) Council Decision 86/238/EEC of 9 June 1986 on the accession of the Community to the International Convention for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, as amended by the Protocol annexed to the Final Act of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the
States Parties to the Convention signed in Paris on 10 July 1984 (OJ L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 33, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1986/
238/oj).
(3) Recommendation 24-05 by ICCAT amending the Recommendation 22-08 establishing a multi-annual management plan for bluefin
tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2024-05-e.pdf.
(4) Recommendation 24-06 by ICCAT amending Recommendation 23-08 for a pilot project for farming bluefin tuna (thunnus thynnus) in
the Cantabrian Sea https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2024-06-e.pdf.
(5) https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2023-08-e.pdf.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/837/oj 1/4EN
OJ L, 2.5.2025
(7) Those measures should be implemented into Union law. Therefore, Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 should be amended
accordingly.
(8) As the provisions provided for in this Regulation have a direct impact on the planning of the fishing season of Union
vessels and on related economic activities, this Regulation should enter into force as soon as possible,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 is amended as follows:
(1) Article 13 is replaced by the following:
‘Article 13
Annual fishing capacity management plans
1. Each Member State with a bluefin tuna quota shall establish an annual fishing capacity management plan. In
that plan, the Member State shall adjust the number of catching vessels and traps in a way that ensures that the
fishing capacity is commensurate with the fishing opportunities allocated to catching vessels and traps for the
relevant quota period.
2. Each Member State concerned shall adjust the fishing capacity using the parameters provided for in the
applicable Union act(*) for the allocation of fishing opportunities. The adjustment of Union fishing capacity for
purse seine vessels shall be limited to a maximum variation of 20 % compared to the baseline fishing capacity as
declared to ICCAT in 2018.
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may increase the number of purse seine vessels,
provided that this increase results from a conversion from other bluefin tuna fleets pertaining to the Member State
requesting this derogation, the fishing capacity remains commensurate with available fishing opportunities, and that,
overall, the final Union fishing capacity, between purse seiners and the fleet from which the conversion is made, does
not represent a capacity increase with respect to the precedent year.
4. Member States requesting the derogation provided for in paragraph 3 shall include the relevant details of the
requested fleet conversion in their annual fishing capacity plans.
5. For the purposes of the derogation provided for in paragraph 3, the ratio for converting fleets shall be based on
the 2009 catch rates provided by the SCRS.
_____________
(*) For 2025, Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202 of 30 January 2025 fixing for 2025 and 2026 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-
Union waters, and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/194 (OJ L, 2025/202, 31.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.
eu/eli/reg/2025/202/oj).’;
(2) in Article 17, paragraph 4a is replaced by the following:
‘4a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Spain may request in its annual fishing plan for 2025, as referred to in
Article 11, that purse seine vessels involved in the pilot project for farming bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea be
allowed to fish for bluefin tuna in the Cantabrian Sea (ICES fishing area 27.8.b and 27.8.c) from 26 May 2025 until
30 September 2025.’;
(3) Annex I and IX are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
2/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/837/ojEN
OJ L, 2.5.2025
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 7 February 2025.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/837/oj 3/4EN
OJ L, 2.5.2025
ANNEX
Annexes I and IX to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 are amended as follows:
(1) in Annex I, points 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
‘1. Each Member State shall ensure that the following capacity limitations are respected:
(a) the maximum number of its baitboats and trolling boats authorised to fish actively bluefin tuna to the
number of the vessels participating in directed fishery for bluefin tuna in 2006;
(b) the maximum number of its artisanal fleet authorised to fish actively bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean to
the number of the vessels participating in the fishery for bluefin tuna in 2008, with the exception of
small-scale coastal vessels operating in the Gulf of Lion, whose number may increase by up to 10 %
compared to the number of vessels recorded in 2008;
(c) the maximum number of its catching vessels authorised to fish actively bluefin tuna in the Adriatic Sea to
the number of the vessel participating in the fishery for bluefin tuna in 2008.
Each Member State shall allocate individual quotas to vessels concerned.
2. Each Member State may allocate:
(a) no more than 7 % of its quota for bluefin tuna among its baitboats and trolling boats;
(b) no more than 2 % of its quota for bluefin tuna among its coastal artisanal fishery for fresh fish in the
Mediterranean; however, in the Gulf of Lion, that percentage may go up to 4 %;
(c) no more than 90 % of its quota for bluefin tuna among its catching vessels in the Adriatic Sea for farming
purposes.’;
(2) in Annex I, the following point is added:
‘3. By way of derogation from point 2(a), for France, a maximum of 100 tonnes of bluefin tuna weighing no less
than 6,4 kg or 70 cm fork length may be caught by vessels flying the flag of France of a length overall of less
than 17 metres operating in the Bay of Biscay.’;
(3) in Annex IX, the following part is added:
‘The European Fisheries Control Agency shall be the body designated to:
(a) receive, from the authorities of the flag Member State of the inspection vessel, the report and any information
related to detected infringements;
(b) send a copy of the reports with detected infringements to the flag State of the inspected fishing vessel and to the
ICCAT Secretariat, with copy to the Commission.’.
4/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2025/837/oj