The problem for the European Union was previously the lack of a unified system of control when checking vessels of non-contracting parties in EU ports because they are obviously not subject to Community law.
Problemet for Den Europæiske Union har hidtil været, at der i EU-havne ikke var nogen fælleskontrol i forbindelse med ekspedition af skibe, der ikke er kontraherende part i NAFO, fordi disse skibe naturligvis ikke er underkastet fællesskabsretten.