Towards modern, integrated, and effective fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the development of modern and effective fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance systems. The focus is on improving data collection, advancing technologies for monitoring and enforcement, and applying innovative methods such as artificial intelligence for better fisheries management. Projects should address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Activities span several geographic regions, including European seas, EU Outermost Regions, recreational fisheries in EU waters, and EU long-distance fisheries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Collaboration with fishers, citizens, and end users is encouraged, and outcomes should be demonstrated through real-world case studies.

• Develop and demonstrate modern, integrated MCS systems for fisheries, covering monitoring, control, and surveillance across the value chain.

• Operate as Innovation Actions (IA) with applied pilots or prototypes.

• Allocate dedicated tasks and resources to collaborate with related Horizon projects (e.g., Fish‑X, EveryFish, OptiFish, SURIMI, SEADITO, OBAMA‑NEXT, MARCO‑BOLO, DiverSea, B‑USEFUL) to enhance synergy and avoid duplication.

• Actively involve fishers, citizens, and end users in all development stages—from concept to implementation.

• Collaborate or align with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) for fisheries data provision or analysis.

• Ensure generated data is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and made available via platforms like EMODnet and the EU Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) architecture.

Example Projects:

• A project developing a real-time electronic monitoring system for small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea.
• An initiative integrating vessel tracking and e-logbooks for EU long-distance fishing fleets operating in the Indian Ocean.
• A case study using artificial intelligence to analyze recreational fishing data in the Baltic Sea.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 12.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 6.000.000€

• Consortium size & composition: At least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries, with at least one based in an EU Member State. 

• Eligible participants: Entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries, demonstrating sufficient financial and operational capacity. 

• Action type: Must be an Innovation Action (IA). 

• Core focus: Development of modern, integrated, and effective fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) systems. 

• Horizon Europe general rules: Projects must adhere to all standard requirements—including ethics, conflict-of-interest, data protection, and legal compliance as outlined in the Horizon Europe General Annexes A–G.