The Fleet Register is a database where all the fishing vessels flying the flag of a European Union (EU) member state have to be registered in accordance with Community legislation. Updates to the EU’s fleet register will soon be available in real time, following the adoption of a new regulation by the European Commission. The regulation makes it easier for EU member states to update the fleet register, while giving the Commission the necessary tools to crosscheck the data that member states submit. The new regulation enters into force on 1 February 2018, and applies to all commercial fishing vessels, except aquaculture vessels and blue fin tuna traps. More information available here.