EFCA-led MMO Adria 2026 starts Adriatic Sea; cooperation across EU agencies
A Multipurpose Maritime Operation in the Adriatic Sea led by EFCA kicks off | European Fisheries Control Agency
The Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO) Adria 2026 has started and will run over the forthcoming weeks. Led by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the operation is carried out in cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), and the competent authorities of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.
The opening event took place in Split, hosted by Croatia, with the participation of EFCA Executive Director Susan Steele. The event marked the official start of MMO Adria 2026 and brought together representatives of the participating Member States and EU Agencies involved in the operation.
Building on previous editions, MMO Adria has become an established framework for cooperation between national authorities and EU Agencies in the Adriatic Sea. It brings together specialised expertise, operational assets and services to support coordinated action across Coast Guard Functions in a shared maritime basin.
Operational activities will take place throughout the Adriatic Sea, including the territorial waters of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Croatia and Italy, as well as international waters. The area combines intensive maritime traffic, important fishing activities and environmentally sensitive marine areas, making close operational cooperation and effective monitoring essential.
As the leading Agency, EFCA coordinates the operation with a particular focus on fisheries control, inspection and surveillance, while supporting wider maritime cooperation among the participating authorities and Agencies. Operational activities will also cover maritime surveillance and monitoring, environmental protection, border management, maritime safety, law enforcement cooperation and search and rescue.
Particular attention will be given to fisheries activities in Fisheries Restricted Areas in the Adriatic Sea which play an important role in protecting essential fish habitats and supporting the sustainable management of marine resources.
The participating Member States are Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, with the following national authorities:
Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Directorate of Fisheries, Fishery Inspection Sector
Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure
Croatian Ministry of the Interior
Slovenian Inspectorate for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fisheries
EFCA coordinates the operation and contributes maritime and aerial surveillance capabilities through the offshore patrol vessel Ocean Sentinel and a fixed-wing aircraft operating under the Mediterranean Joint Deployment Plan. EMSA supports the operation with maritime monitoring, Earth Observation, RPAS and pollution-response services, while Frontex contributes personnel, surveillance services and operational assets supporting border management and law enforcement activities.
The MMO Coordination Centre is established at EFCA headquarters in Vigo, Spain, where the operation is coordinated in close cooperation with the participating authorities and Agencies.
The MMO framework also includes a Search and Rescue Exercise (SARex), hosted by Italy in the Gulf of Trieste. The exercise will further strengthen coordination, interoperability and preparedness among the participating authorities.
EFCA is a European Union agency promoting the highest common standards for fisheries control, inspection and surveillance under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Agency organises operational coordination activities and supports Member States in ensuring the effective and uniform application of EU fisheries rules.
Together with EMSA and Frontex, EFCA supports national authorities carrying out Coast Guard Functions through cooperation in areas including information sharing, surveillance, risk analysis, training and operational capacity sharing.
A Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO) is a coordinated operational activity conducted in a specific maritime area and over a defined period to support national authorities carrying out Coast Guard Functions at national, Union and international level. MMOs bring together assets, services and expertise from participating Member States and EU Agencies to address multiple operational objectives through a single coordinated framework.
For more information about European Cooperation on Coast Guard Functions, visit: Home | European Cooperation on Coast Guard Functions .
A Multipurpose Maritime Operation in the Adriatic Sea led by EFCA kicks off
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