Quantifying the implementation of Common Fisheries Policy: Patterns of fisheries violations and penalties imposed in Greek waters

Abstract Illegal fishing has been recognized as a global problem in achieving fisheries sustainability. In the present study, the fisheries violations and fines/penalties imposed per fishery recorded by Ministry of Mercantile Marine were analysed for the Greek waters during 1999–2013. Spatio-temporal patterns identified were related to: (a) easy access operating illegal fishery, (b) fishing effort/species abundance spatial distribution, (c) area topography, (d) local restrictions, and (e) fleet structure. Findings are crucial towards the specification of the critical zones and temporal closures for setting an efficient control system towards achieving sustainability. Improvements to the implementation of the fishing control involve the identification of high-risk areas prone to illegal fishing, the rationalisation of the fisheries legislation, the harmonization of proportionate administrative fines and the increase of transparency in the decision-making process. These might increase the efficiency of the fisheries control which in turns will enhance the credibility of Common Fisheries Policy. These might control the efficiency of the fisheries which in turns will enhance the credibility of the Common Fisheries Policy.