# IMMC.COM_2018_0613_FIN.ENG.xhtml.2_EN_ACT_part1_v4.docx

european flagEUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 4.9.2018

COM(2018) 613 final

2018/0321(NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EU) 2018/120 as regards fishing opportunities for European seabass

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

•Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

Council Regulation (EU) No 2018/120 fixes for 2018 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in Union waters and, for Union vessels, in certain non-Union waters. These fishing opportunities are usually amended several times during the period in which they are in effect.

•Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area

The measures proposed are designed in accordance with the objectives and the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and are consistent with the Union's policy on sustainable development.

•Consistency with other Union policies

The measures proposed are consistent with other Union policies, in particular with the policies in the field of environment.

2.LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY

•Legal basis

The legal basis of this proposal is Article 43(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The Union's obligations for sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources arise from obligations set out in Article 2 of the new basic regulation of the CFP.

•Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)

The proposal falls under the Union exclusive competence as referred to in Article 3(1)(d) of the Treaty. The subsidiarity principle therefore does not apply.

•Proportionality

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason: the CFP is a common policy. According to Article 43(3) of the Treaty it is incumbent upon the Council to adopt the measures on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities.

•Choice of the instrument

•

Choice of the instrument

Proposed instrument: regulation.

Proposed instrument: regulation.

3.RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

3.

RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

•Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation

Not applicable

•Stakeholder consultations

•

Stakeholder consultations

The Proposal takes into account the feedback from the stakeholders, Advisory Councils, the national administrations, fishermen organisations and non-governmental organisations.

•Collection and use of expertise

•

Collection and use of expertise

The Proposal is based on the scientific advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
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  .

•Impact assessment

•

Impact assessment

The scope of the fishing opportunities regulation is circumscribed by Article 43(3) of the Treaty.

The scope of the fishing opportunities regulation is circumscribed by Article 43(3) of the Treaty.

•Regulatory fitness and simplification

•

Regulatory fitness and simplification

Not applicable.

•Fundamental rights

•

Fundamental rights

Not applicable.

4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

4.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

The proposed measures will have no budgetary implications.

5.OTHER ELEMENTS

5.

OTHER ELEMENTS

•Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

•

Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

The proposed amendments seek to modify Regulation 2018/120 as described below.

The proposed amendments seek to modify Regulation 2018/120 as described below.

European seabass

European seabass

On 2 July 2018 ICES has issued revised advice for 2018 for European seabass in ICES divisions 4b–c, 7a, and 7d–h (central and southern North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel, Bristol Channel, and Celtic Sea). In this advice ICES indicated a lower fishing mortality from recreational fisheries and a higher survival rate from the catch-and-release practice than previously estimated. Therefore, it is appropriate to introduce a daily bag limit of one fish per day for recreational fishermen applicable in October – December 2018.

On 2 July 2018 ICES has issued revised advice for 2018 for European seabass in ICES divisions 4b–c, 7a, and 7d–h (central and southern North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel, Bristol Channel, and Celtic Sea). In this advice ICES indicated a lower fishing mortality from recreational fisheries and a higher survival rate from the catch-and-release practice than previously estimated. Therefore, it is appropriate to introduce a daily bag limit of one fish per day for recreational fishermen applicable in October – December 2018.

2018/0321 (NLE)

2018/0321 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EU) 2018/120 as regards fishing opportunities for European seabass

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)Council Regulation (EU) 2018/120
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  fixes for 2018 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in Union waters and, for Union vessels, in certain non-Union waters.

(2)The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) submitted revised advice for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in ICES divisions 4b–c, 7a, and 7d–h (central and southern North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel, Bristol Channel, and Celtic Sea) for 2018. According to that advice, in order to be in line with the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), total commercial and recreational removals in 2018 should be no more than 880 tonnes. Owing to the set of measures ensuring the recovery of the stock, the biomass is expected to increase in 2018. In that advice ICES also indicated a lower fishing mortality from recreational fisheries and a higher survival rate from the catch-and-release practice (fishing mortality rate of 5%) than previously estimated (15%). Therefore, it is appropriate that one fish per fisherman per day may be retained in recreational fisheries taking place in October – December 2018.

(3)Regulation (EU) 2018/120 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2018/120, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

"4. In recreational fisheries, including from shore, in ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 7a to 7k:

a) from 1 January 2018 to 30 September 2018, only catch-and-release fishing for European seabass shall be allowed. During that period, it shall be prohibited to retain on board, relocate, tranship or land European seabass caught in that area;

b) from 1 October to 31 December 2018, not more than one specimen of European seabass may be retained per fisherman per day.".

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President