At the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 11 October 2021, the Greek minister informed his counterparts about illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Turkish vessels encroaching on Greek territorial waters in the Aegean.

This is affecting not only the fisheries sector but also the natural environment of the Aegean Sea, placing European fishermen at an unfair disadvantage, as it is undermining the sustainability of fish stocks, as well as the single market.

This encroachment on Greek and European waters reflects blatant disregard for the values of the Union, good neighbourly relations and the sovereignty of the Member States.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is therefore more than just a bilateral issue, relating as it does to compliance with the relevant regulation(1) and European law in general.

In view of this:

1. What action will the Commission take in response to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Aegean and to ensure compliance with the relevant regulation(2)?

2. How will it prevent any future recurrence of IUU fishing activities and encroachments by Turkey?

Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission here.