European Commission, July 2016. Systematic, consistent and comprenhensive data collection is critical for robust scientific advice. The European Commission has adopted a new, simpler rules fro data collection in the fisheries sector for the period 2017-2020.
As stated in the rationale: “Data collection is essential for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as a basis for founding it on the best possible scientific advice. Data are needed to evaluate the state of fish stocks, the profitability of the different segments of the sector and the effects of fisheries and aquaculture on the ecosystem. Data are also needed to evaluate EU policies: fisheries management measures, structural financial measures in support of the 
fisheries and aquaculture dependent areas, mitigation measures to reduce negative effects of fisheries on the ecosystem”.
Fisheries data are collected in a number of ways: in ports or at sea by observers on board commercial fishing vessels, through scientific surveys at sea to locate and follow fish stocks, by compiling control data from logbooks, sales notes and satellite data, and through socio-economic surveys of the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors.
The proposal is currently being discussed in the European Parliament and Council.
Click here for more information on the data collection or visit the Joint Research Centre (JRC) fisheries data collection Website