Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signature by the European Community of the Convention on the conservation and management of fishery resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

In 1997, the South East Atlantic coastal states took the initiative to launch the process of setting up a new regional fisheries organisation (South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation); the text of the new Convention should be finalised in November 2000.

The European Community has fishing interests in the South East Atlantic and is therefore obliged, under the terms of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to cooperate with other interested parties in the management and conservation of the region's resources.

The Community has participated in this process from the start and has played an active and constructive role. After a final meeting of the editorial group, to be held on 11 November the Convention will be open for signature at a Diplomatic Conference, the precise date of which must still be determined.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signature by the European Community of the Convention on the conservation and management of fishery resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first sentence of Article 300(2) thereof;

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) The Community is competent to adopt measures for the conservation and management of fisheries resources and to enter into agreements with other countries and international organisations.

(2) The Community is a Contracting Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which requires all members of the international community to co-operate in conserving and managing the sea's biological resources.

(3) The Community has signed the Agreement on the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.

(4) The sixth meeting of the coastal States and other parties interested in the future Convention on the conservation and management of fishery resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean presented a draft Convention which may still be subject to editorial changes before it is formally adopted.

(5) The objective of this Convention is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Convention Area through the effective implementation of the Convention.

(6) Community fishermen fish stocks in the Convention Area and it is in the Community's interest to play an effective role in the implementation of the Convention. It is therefore necessary for the Community to accede to the Convention.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the Community, the Convention on the conservation and management of fishery resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President