DCF4

The fisheries Data Collection Framework (DCF) of the EU has been in place since 2000, under which EU Member States collect fisheries data to support the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) through scientific advice. Mandatory data collection is set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 and in Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167 establishing the multiannual Union programme for the collection and management of biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from 2022 (EU MAP).

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), each Member State must draw up a national programme and during its implementation they must collect data within the DCF. Accordingly, two calls for proposals have been launched under the Hungarian Fisheries Operational Programme Plus (MAHOP Plus) to support the collection, management and use of data on fish farming: MAHOP Plus-1.2.2-2024 aims to establish a framework for data collection on fish farming, while MAHOP Plus-1.2.1-2024 aims to support the collection, management and use of data on fish farming.

The data and information collected under the DCF will help to understand the state of play in the fisheries sector and to identify development needs, allowing for the implementation of the most relevant developments in the funding period according to the sector’s needs.

In order to exploit support opportunities, it is necessary for representatives of the sector to have adequate data at their disposal that can be used to substantiate the development needs not only in domestic but also in international tenders. Researchers writing international articles on topics related to the aquaculture sector can only rely on the available data as well. Data collection is therefore essential for both decision-makers, producers, other sector stakeholders and researchers.

The project aims to promote sustainable and efficient fisheries management and to provide the necessary scientific data and expertise to the decision-makers and the European Commission. The task of the AKI is to coordinate and develop the framework of data collection activities related to fisheries management, and to collect, evaluate and share the data with the public. Within the project, the AKI will improve the fisheries data collection system and data management and will provide scientific analyses and expertise.

The project focuses on collecting and evaluating economic, social and environmental data of the fisheries sector as well as to meet future data needs. As a result, the number of aquaculture-related data is expected to increase and their quality to improve. The new DCF National Work Plan for the period 2025-2027 will be developed, a representative collection of economic and social data among fish farmers will be elaborated. Consumer fish prices in major retail chains and markets will be surveyed. The project will determine the annual per capita volume of domestic fish consumption and the production value of the fisheries sector among other tasks.

The tasks implemented in 2024 are accounted for in the DCF4 project.