Limassol: European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, highlighted the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in fisheries management and combatting illegal activities, during an event celebrating the agency’s 20th anniversary at the Limassol port. Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, stated that the anniversary marks an “important milestone.”
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event was attended by EFCA Executive Director Susan Steele and held on board the EFCA patrol vessel “Ocean Sentinel,” which operates in the Mediterranean Sea and was docked at the DP World Limassol terminal. Kadis emphasized that these patrol vessels are symbols of mutual trust and represent the EU’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding marine resources through Joint Deployment Plans under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Kadis recalled the patrol boat’s involvement in a recent search and rescue operation south of Crete, which resulted in the rescue of migrants in danger. He thanked the EFCA crew and staff for their professionalism and effective cooperation with Greek national authorities. Reflecting on the EFCA’s progress over two decades, he noted the agency’s significant influence on fisheries governance across Europe and its role in promoting common standards for control, inspection, and surveillance under the European Common Fisheries Policy.
Kadis highlighted the EFCA’s critical role in combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Mediterranean, particularly from third countries, thereby contributing to the sustainability of vital marine ecosystems. He referred to two important initiatives related to the EFCA’s work: the implementation of the revised fisheries Control Regulation and enhancing international fisheries management in the Mediterranean through the GFCM.
In this context, Kadis mentioned an initiative included in the recently adopted Pact for the Mediterranean to combat IUU fishing, noting that “EFCA will have an important role to play in the implementation of this initiative.” He also highlighted actions that will be emphasized during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, including European Maritime Days in Limassol and a high-level conference on sustainable fisheries.
Minister Panayiotou expressed her delight that Cyprus was chosen to celebrate the EFCA’s 20th anniversary, underlining the country’s strategic role in protecting Europe’s marine resources and ensuring sustainable management. She emphasized Cyprus’s active participation and commitment to strengthening cooperation with the EFCA to ensure a clean, healthy, and productive marine environment for future generations.
EFCA Executive Director Susan Steele stressed the importance of fisheries sustainability in the Mediterranean Sea, shared with non-EU countries, and the agency’s role in implementing international regulations. She mentioned that in 2024, 33,360 inspections were carried out under the Mediterranean plan, and the inspections continue smoothly with good participation by member states. She also noted the EFCA’s involvement in projects across Africa and soon in the Indian Ocean to combat illegal fishing, with growing demand for the agency’s support.