Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E1: Agriculture and fisheries
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication
1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Metadata last certified
10 June 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
10 June 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
10 June 2024
3.1. Data description
The data are on the total number, tonnage and power of vessels broken down by tonnage, length, age, and power classes, and by gear categories. For publishing purposes, only catching vessels are used.
3.2. Classification system
Classification system for vessel size:
By Tonnage class
By Length class
By Age class
By Power class
By Gear category
3.3. Coverage - sector
The coverage is the 100% of the European Union Fleet and EEA countries.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The data on fishing fleet are derived from the national registers of fishing vessels which are maintained according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218. Regulation contains information on the vessel characteristics to be recorded on the registers.
The published data are on the number, total tonnage (GT) and total power (Kilowatt) of fishing vessels by tonnage classes, length classes, power classes, age classes and fishing gears.
Tonnage
The gross tonnage of fishing vessels with a length overall equal to, or greater than, 15 metres is measured as specified in Annex I to the 1969 Convention (International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, signed in London on 23 June 1969 - see annex for more information).
When net tonnage is referred to in Union rules, it is defined as specified in Annex I to the 1969 Convention.
Length
The length is the length overall, defined as the distance in a straight line between the foremost point of the bow and aftermost point of the stern. For this purpose:
The bow is taken to include the watertight hull structure, forecastle, stem and forward bulwark, if fitted, but excludes bowsprits and safety rails.
The stern is taken to include the watertight hull structure, transom, poop, trawl ramp and bulwark, but excludes safety rails, bumkins, propulsion machinery, rudders and steering gear and divers' ladders and platforms.
Engine power
The engine power is the total of the maximum continuous power which can be obtained at the flywheel of each engine, and which can, by mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or other means, be applied to vessel propulsion. However, where a gearbox is incorporated into the engine, the power is measured at gearbox output flange. No deduction is made in respect of auxiliary machines driven by the engine.
The unit in which engine power is expressed is the kilowatt (kW).
Fishing gears
EU Fleet Register maintained by DG MARE collects the information from Member States on vessels main and subsidiary fishing gear in accordance with the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). For statistical purposes, published data on gear characteristics is grouped into one of the main gear categories.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the registered fishing vessel.
3.6. Statistical population
All registered fishing vessels and their main characteristics of the EU Member States, Norway and Iceland.
3.7. Reference area
EU countries, Iceland and Norway.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available from 1990 onwards.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of vessels, gross tonnage (GT) and Total Power (KW).
The data are annual and refer to the situation of the national fleets on 31 December of the reference year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Nowadays Eurostat data regarding the fishing fleet of EU countries are provided by the DG MARE's Community Fishing Fleet Register. This Register is obtained from the national registers of the MS, which are maintained according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218. This regulation determines the minimum information on vessel characteristics and activity requirements the National Registers. The quality of this information should be continuously monitored by the MS and checked by the Commission.
Under a Gentlemen's Agreement, the National Competent Authorities of Norway and Iceland send to Eurostat the data concerning the fishing fleet annually.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not available.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
Statistics are disseminated online on the Eurostat website twice a year (mid-April and mid-September).
8.2. Release calendar access
Statistics are disseminated online on the Eurostat website twice a year (mid-April and mid-September).
8.3. Release policy - user access
In accordance with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity').
The European statistics are developed, produced and disseminated in line with the principles of independency, objectivity, professionalism and transparency. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Members States are obliged to ensure that the information recorded in their registries comply with the quality demanded by the Commission.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not available.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The mains users are the Directorates of the European Commission (DG. MARE, DG.ENV). Other relevant users are International Organisations such as FAO, ICES, OECD, NAFO….
Research Institutes, national Administrations and other general users share the interest in this particular information.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction survey exists. Indirect information is gathered through direct contacts, meetings, etc.
12.3. Completeness
The data collection consists in a census of the European Fleet.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
For census data the accuracy is not relevant. The fleet data are European administrative data (recorded in the National Register).
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
The National Competent Authorities are required to submit to the Commission (DG MARE) information on all registered fishing vessels in the national fleet four times a year.
14.2. Punctuality
Eurostat establishes the 31st of March of year N+1 as a suitable deadline for DG.Mare to have the final data for the year N.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
According to the European Regulations concerning vessels the national registers establish the same variables and definitions throughout the EU. Consequently the comparability is high. The aggregated information for EU is based on this principle.
All reported errors (once validated) result in corrections of the disseminated data.
Reported errors that are deemed to be significant are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated. Corrections for other errors are carried out in connection with the regular scheduled data dissemination/in connection with next scheduled regular revision.
Data may be published even if they are missing or flagged as provisional or of low reliability for certain countries. They are replaced with final data once transmitted and validated.
Whenever new data are provided and validated, the already disseminated data are updated.
18.1. Source data
According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218 the EU Member States are required to submit records from the national registers concerning the fishing vessels to the Commission (DG MARE).
The National Competent Authorities of Norway and Iceland send by email an EXCEL file to the European Statistical Office with the corresponding records for their fishing vessels according to a Gentlemen's Agreement.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
The National Competent Authorities select an appropriate method for the maintenance and the monitoring of their fleet national registers. These records and subsequent revisions are transmitted to DG MARE for their incorporation into the Community Fleet Register file.
Data for Iceland and Norway come directly from their National Authorities to Eurostat.
18.4. Data validation
The quality of the data is directly related to the quality of the DG MARE's Fishing Fleet Register. Two data validations levels are applied to the incoming data:
Level 1
The National submissions to the Community Fleet Register are subject to controls by DG.Mare. These validations rules are based on consistency checks in relation to the length of vessels, tonnage and power.
Level 2
Eurostat compares Member States' incoming data to historical data in order to detect possible outliers.
18.5. Data compilation
EU and EEA aggregates are compiled by summation of the data for the individual countries.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
The EU Fleet Register maintained by DG MARE may be consulted on DG MARE website.
The data are on the total number, tonnage and power of vessels broken down by tonnage, length, age, and power classes, and by gear categories. For publishing purposes, only catching vessels are used.
10 June 2024
The data on fishing fleet are derived from the national registers of fishing vessels which are maintained according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218. Regulation contains information on the vessel characteristics to be recorded on the registers.
The published data are on the number, total tonnage (GT) and total power (Kilowatt) of fishing vessels by tonnage classes, length classes, power classes, age classes and fishing gears.
Tonnage
The gross tonnage of fishing vessels with a length overall equal to, or greater than, 15 metres is measured as specified in Annex I to the 1969 Convention (International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, signed in London on 23 June 1969 - see annex for more information).
When net tonnage is referred to in Union rules, it is defined as specified in Annex I to the 1969 Convention.
Length
The length is the length overall, defined as the distance in a straight line between the foremost point of the bow and aftermost point of the stern. For this purpose:
The bow is taken to include the watertight hull structure, forecastle, stem and forward bulwark, if fitted, but excludes bowsprits and safety rails.
The stern is taken to include the watertight hull structure, transom, poop, trawl ramp and bulwark, but excludes safety rails, bumkins, propulsion machinery, rudders and steering gear and divers' ladders and platforms.
Engine power
The engine power is the total of the maximum continuous power which can be obtained at the flywheel of each engine, and which can, by mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or other means, be applied to vessel propulsion. However, where a gearbox is incorporated into the engine, the power is measured at gearbox output flange. No deduction is made in respect of auxiliary machines driven by the engine.
The unit in which engine power is expressed is the kilowatt (kW).
Fishing gears
EU Fleet Register maintained by DG MARE collects the information from Member States on vessels main and subsidiary fishing gear in accordance with the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). For statistical purposes, published data on gear characteristics is grouped into one of the main gear categories.
The statistical unit is the registered fishing vessel.
All registered fishing vessels and their main characteristics of the EU Member States, Norway and Iceland.
EU countries, Iceland and Norway.
The data are annual and refer to the situation of the national fleets on 31 December of the reference year.
For census data the accuracy is not relevant. The fleet data are European administrative data (recorded in the National Register).
Number of vessels, gross tonnage (GT) and Total Power (KW).
EU and EEA aggregates are compiled by summation of the data for the individual countries.
According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/218 the EU Member States are required to submit records from the national registers concerning the fishing vessels to the Commission (DG MARE).
The National Competent Authorities of Norway and Iceland send by email an EXCEL file to the European Statistical Office with the corresponding records for their fishing vessels according to a Gentlemen's Agreement.
Biannual.
The National Competent Authorities are required to submit to the Commission (DG MARE) information on all registered fishing vessels in the national fleet four times a year.
According to the European Regulations concerning vessels the national registers establish the same variables and definitions throughout the EU. Consequently the comparability is high. The aggregated information for EU is based on this principle.
