Pursuant to article 31(3) of the Regulation (EC) No. 1005/2008 (the IUU Regulation), the Commission has reviewed the compliance of the Comoros with its international obligations as flag, port, coastal or market State. This Decision identifies the Union of the Comoros as a non-cooperating third country in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Having regard to article 18(1)(g) of the IUU Regulation, the competent authorities of the Member States are bound to refuse the importation into the European Union of fishery products without having to request any additional evidence or send a request for assistance to the flag State where they become aware that the catch certificate has been validated by the authorities of a flag State identified as a non-cooperating State.
2017-05-23