Archive · 28 Jan 2026
EU ports face fish backlog due to Catch system failure
The European Union launched a new digital system called 'Catch' to track fish shipments and prevent illegal fishing.
However, the system has caused big problems.
Fish is getting stuck at ports because the system isn't working right.
This is causing fish to go bad and businesses to lose money.
Some countries and industry groups are asking the EU to allow paper certificates again until the system is fixed.
The EU says they are working on solutions but hasn't changed the law yet.
EU's digital catch system 'Catch' launched on January 10 to combat illegal fishing.
System failure caused seafood backlog at major European ports like Rotterdam and Vigo.
Database synchronization error and system inflexibility led to operational snarls.
Industry estimates 15% of daily whitefish intake in Northern Europe is affected.
EU member states and industry groups call for a return to paper certificates and a six-month transition period.
- Who
- European Union, port authorities, seafood industry, EU member states
- What
- Systemic failure in the EU's digital catch system causing seafood backlog
- When
- January 10, 2024
- Where
- Major European ports like Rotterdam and Vigo
- Why
- Database synchronization error and system inflexibility
- System Launched
- January 10, 2024
- Affected Ports
- Rotterdam, Vigo, and others
- Estimated Impact
- 15% of daily whitefish intake in Northern Europe
- System Requirements
- Digital certificates for every shipment
- Data Upload Limit
- Increased from 2MB to 5MB
- Affected Member States
- Italy, Spain, Estonia, and others
- Industry Request
- Six-month transition period for paper certificates