The EU’s new digital catch certification system, CATCH, became compulsory on 10 January 2026, replacing paper-based catch certificates. Designed to combat IUU fishing, CATCH introduces digital submission and verification of catch documentation for EU imports. Industry groups have pushed back on implementation timelines. Holt Seafood’s documentation processes are designed to support the requirements of evolving EU import controls.
The European Union’s new digital fisheries control system, CATCH, officially became compulsory for EU operators and authorities for imports of fishery products on 10 January 2026, replacing the paper-based catch certificate process that had been the standard for import documentation since 2010. The system is designed to be the EU’s definitive tool against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a problem estimated to account for 13 to 31 percent of global fish production.
Note: Under the CATCH regulation, certain pre-10 January 2026 paper certificates may continue to be accepted during a transitional period until 10 January 2028, depending on specific circumstances and issuance dates.
Under the previous paper-based system, catch certificates were vulnerable to fraud. The same document could be used to clear multiple shipments at different EU entry points, with no centralised database to cross-check between member states. The CATCH system introduces digital, real-time submission and verification of catch documentation for import certificates, closing these gaps and bringing EU standards in line with the digital traceability expectations of major global markets.
European seafood industry groups, including Europeche and Seafood Europe, have urged the Commission to revise parts of the CATCH framework. They argue that certain obligations, including recording zero-kilogram catches and strict tolerance margins, are unworkable in practice and risk disrupting legal supply chains. Industry bodies are calling for a phased implementation approach, with full compliance pushed to January 2027.
Holt Seafood’s documentation and quality control processes are designed to support the documentation and traceability information required by evolving EU import controls. The company works exclusively with partner facilities that maintain strict quality controls and can provide full provenance documentation from catch to delivery.
Holt Seafood’s Barcelona hub provides direct support for European customers navigating documentation requirements, helping ensure compliance at every stage of the import process.
Action for EU buyers: Ensure your supplier can provide digital catch documentation and has systems in place to support CATCH requirements. Holt Seafood’s team can guide you through the process.