The European Commission proposed an ambitious package of measures to establish a European Border and Coast Guard and guarantee effective border control both on land and at sea.

The European Commission published a Communication setting out how the money available under the EU's five European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) will be spent in the period 2014-2020. The funds include the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the EU Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the Youth Employment Initiative.

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella will present the Commission's proposals for fixing fishing opportunities for 2016 for the Atlantic, North Sea and Black Sea to the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 14-15 December.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) held its 12th plenary session from 3 to 8 December 2015 in Bali, Indonesia. Discussions focused on management measures for various tuna species as well as sharks. The EU, represented by the European Commission, used the meeting to promote better fisheries control and more sustainably managed fish stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean region.

Commission proposes new system to grant and manage authorisations that will allow authorities to better monitor both EU vessels fishing outside Union waters and international vessels fishing in our own waters.

On 7 December, the Council of the EU adopted the Regulation opening and providing for the management of autonomous tariff quotas for certain fishery products imported into the European Union for the period 2016-2018.

The European Commission has adopted a €51.8 million investment package for the Hungarian fisheries and aquaculture sectors for the 2014-2020 period, including €39.1 million of EU investments. The adopted Operational Programme (OP) under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will help Hungary implement the EU's reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).