(Reference for a preliminary ruling– Common fisheries policy– Regulation (EC) No1224/2009

47Since these proceedings are, for the parties to the main proceedings, a step in the action pending before the referring court, the decision on costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting observations to the Court, other than the costs of those parties, are not recoverable.

On those grounds, the Court (Sixth Chamber) hereby rules:

Article33(2)(a) and Article34 of Council Regulation (EC) No1224/2009 of 20November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No847/96, (EC) No2371/2002, (EC) No811/2004, (EC) No768/2005, (EC) No2115/2005, (EC) No2166/2005, (EC) No388/2006, (EC) No509/2007, (EC) No676/2007, (EC) No1098/2007, (EC) No1300/2008, (EC) No1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No2847/93, (EC) No1627/94 and (EC) No1966/2006, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2015/812 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20May 2015, must be interpreted to the effect that the Single Control Authority of a Member State is not required to notify to the European Commission only the data recorded by the masters of fishing vessels in the fishing logbook, pursuant to Articles14 and 15 of that regulation, but may use a reasonable and scientifically valid method, such as the ‘time spent’ methodology, to process those data in order to ensure the accuracy of the catch figures that it notifies to the Commission.

Delivered in open court in Luxembourg on 10February 2022.

*Language of the case: English.