Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This proposal for a Council Regulation fixes for 2003 the fishing opportunities for the Community in several fishing grounds and for third country vessels in Community waters and the conditions under which the fishing opportunities may be fished. The fixing and sharing of possibilities for fishing falls exclusively within the competence of the Community and arises from obligations set out in Article 8(4) of Regulation No 3760/92 of the Council of 20 December 1992.

Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are based on the latest scientific advice, modified in some cases by the need to assure some continuity of economic activity in the fisheries concerned, consistent with a significantly reduced risk, to the most threatened fish stocks.

The most recent report of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), endorsed by STECF, indicates that many stocks of demersal fish and some stocks of pelagic fish are too heavily exploited and are outside safe biological limits. In some cases, the stocks are in immediate danger of collapse. Depending on the stock in question, ICES has recommended action implying the imposition of very restrictive TACs and such recommendations are reflected in this proposal.

For some stocks of cod, ICES has issued scientific advice that there should be a closure of the fisheries that catch cod either as a directed species or as a by-catch. This is due to the state of very high biological risk of collapse of these stocks, coupled with experience that it is extremely difficult to regulate low fishing mortalities using TACs alone.

In order to avoid a complete shut-down of economic activity in some fisheries-dependent coastal communities, the Commission proposes for these stocks some TACs consistent with a low fishing mortality for cod. Where other stocks are caught together with the cod (and particularly haddock, whiting, plaice, sole and saithe) then consistent reductions in the TACs for those species will be applied.

However, these low TACs will have conservation benefits only if they are accompanied by effort restrictions and by appropriate control measures. The Commission anticipates that the Council will reach a positive conclusion on the adoption of the cod and hake recovery proposal (COM(2001) 724 final) before the end of 2002. In the absence of such measures, the Commission will have no option but to withdraw its TAC proposals for the species concerned and to propose instead closure of the relevant fisheries by means of zero TACs.

The Commission considers that the serious short-term losses implied by these proposals are worthwhile bearing in order to rebuild the cod and hake stocks so that they can again supply annual yields in excess of 200 000t of prime quality food. Additional short-term losses in other fisheries are also required to prevent other fish stocks reaching such a critical condition.

In the case of stocks managed by the Community alone, where the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) based its advice on analytical assessments and where the EC Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) has further reviewed the advice of ICES, the TACs proposed are based on the advice of these committees.

As to the general approach to the setting of TACs in the community waters, the following criteria are used for the following categories of stocks.

Stocks where ICES has advised a closure of the fisheries

For those cod stocks where ICES has advised a moratorium, the Commission proposes to set TACs consistent with a reduction in fishing effort of 80% with respect to levels used by ICES for 2002. This level implies an acceptance of a significant risk that the cod stocks will not recover, and indeed given the uncertainty in the present situation may lead to a further deterioration in the state of the stock. However, the Commission considers it important to maintain some continuity of economic activity in the fisheries concerned, and for these reasons proposes a deviation from the direct application of scientific advice in this case.

The approach nevertheless requires very significant reductions in the TACs for stocks that are caught in the same fisheries as the cod stocks. Otherwise, the outcome would be catches in excess of the limited catch allowance for cod and an unacceptable level of risk to the recovery of cod.

The relevant stocks are :

Cod in Subarea IV (North Sea), Division VIId (Eastern English Channel) and Division IIIa (Skagerrak);

Cod in Division VIa (West of Scotland)

Cod in Division VIIa (Irish Sea)

The Commission will assume a similar fishing mortality reduction for Cod in the Kattegat, to maintain an equitable and consistent approach to stock recovery.

ICES has advised that fisheries catching a number of other species also catch cod, and that either closures of these fisheries or large reductions in catches are needed. The stocks concerned are the haddock, whiting, plaice and sole in the North Sea and plaice in the Skagerrak and Kattegat. For these stocks considered in isolation (without taking account of the need to protect cod), ICES would advise fishing mortality reductions of 40% for haddock, whiting and plaice and 25% for sole in the North Sea and 15% for plaice in the Skagerrak and Kattegat.

The Commission, based on quantitative analysis from STECF about the interactions in these fisheries, considers that reductions in fishing mortality of 40 % for plaice, 30% for sole, 75% for whiting and 80% for haddock are consistent with an intended 80% reduction in the fishing mortality for cod. If the catches of the other species are increased above the corresponding TAC levels, the fishing mortality for cod will be higher than that intended and cod will be either discarded or landed illegally. In the case of the North Sea, these measures have to be agreed with Norway. A similar approach will be applied to the autonomous TACs for mixed fisheries in Community waters (applying comparable percentage reductions for haddock, whiting, saithe, plaice and sole in other areas where these are caught with cod).

Stocks where ICES and STECF has advised a reduction to the lowest possible level or else a recovery plan

For these stocks the Commission will propose a TAC corresponding to a significant increase in stock size, appropriate to the stock in question, and constituting an increase of no less than 20% in spawning biomass during 2003. However, the Commission will not propose a TAC corresponding to a fishing mortality more than the precautionary fishing mortality rate, Fpa.

For northern hake in Division IIIa, Subareas IV, VI and VII and Divisions VIIIab, the Commission proposes a TAC corresponding to a 10% increase in spawning biomass, which is consistent with precautionary options proposed by STECF.

The other stocks concerned are :

Whiting in Division VIIa (Irish Sea);

Haddock in Division VIb (Rockall)

Hake - southern stock (Divisions VIIIc and IXa)

Sole in Division VIIe (Western Channel)

Sole in Division VIIIab (Bay of Biscay)

Haddock in Division VIa (West of Scotland)

Whiting in Division VIa (West of Scotland)

Haddock in Division VIIa (Irish Sea)

Nephrops - Division VIIIc

Nephrops - Division IXa

Clearly it would be desirable to prepare recovery plans for all the stocks in this category also. The Commission intends to propose recovery plans for these stocks in 2003.

In order to obtain as much stability as is consistent with good conservation practice, the Commission will seek to limit reductions in catch levels to no more than 50% with respect to 2002.

Stocks associated with a stock for which ICES and STECF have advised a closure or else a reduction to the lowest possible level

For such stocks (which include, for example, Nephrops taken together with cod and hake, and anglerfish, megrim and Nephrops in Southern waters) the Commission proposes a TAC corresponding to a 10% reduction in fishing mortality with respect to 2002.

In the absence of detailed advice concerning the association between the stocks concerned, the Commission has chosen to propose a 10 % reduction in fishing mortality as an interim measure. Improved scientific advice may lead to adjustment of this figure in future.

For these stocks the Commission will seek to limit reductions in catch levels to no more than 40% with respect to 2002 where this can be done without exceeding Fpa.

Stocks where ICES and STECF have advised that the stocks are outside safe biological limits and advised a substantial reduction in fishing mortality

For stocks outside safe biological limits but not falling into the categories mentioned above, the Commission proposes to follow the scientific advice, except that decreases or increases in TACs will normally be limited to a 40% annual maximum with respect to TACs in 2002.

The Commission will propose a TAC corresponding to the short-term catch option advised by either or both ICES and STECF except that in order to mitigate the effects of uncertainty in the assessments and to afford improved stability of markets and fishing operations, the Commission will limit any change in TAC to no more than 40% compared to the TAC of 2002 where this can be done without exceeding Fpa. (Individual cases within this category where the ICES advice appears problematic or subjective are being reviewed).

Stocks inside safe biological limits and not associated with a stock where ICESand STECF have advised a closure or a reduction in fishing to the lowest possible level

Where the assessment of the stock is inside safe biological limits, a catch option will be chosen as a basis for a TAC proposal that will not lead to the forecast for the stock crossing a safe biological limit (either below precautionary biomass, Bpa or precautionary fishing mortality, Fpa) in the foreseeable future.

The Commission proposes TACs corresponding to the short-term catch option advised by ICES and supported by STECF. In order to mitigate the effects of uncertainty in the advice and to improve stability to the fishing industry, the Commission will limit any increase or decrease in the TAC to no more than 40% compared to the TAC of 2002 where this can be done without exceeding Fpa. In case of an increase in the TAC the Commission may further limit the increase to improve stability of markets and fishing operations.

Where advice on long-term effects is available that either a different limit value on TAC change is appropriate or that a change in fishing mortality would allow increases in yield without prejudice to biological risk, the Commission takes account of such advice when making its proposal for a TAC.

Stocks for which no assessments are available

In the case of stocks for which no analytical assessments are available, TACs (precautionary TACs) have been proposed. In such cases, the Commission has based its proposal on advice either from ICES or from STECF wherever these bodies give an explicit value for the TAC.

For the so-called "precautionary TACs", where neither assessment nor advice are available, the Commission will as a general rule propose a TAC for 2003 equal to the TAC adopted for 2002 where the reported landings indicate a high quota utilisation.

Where the utilisation of a "precautionary TAC" is low, the Commission will consider whether the shortfall has been due to a lack of genuine fishing opportunities (i.e. the existence of "paper fish"). Should this be the case, the Commission will propose a reduction in the TAC in order that TACs may better reflect (and therefore protect in the long term) those fishing opportunities. Unless otherwise appropriate, the Commission will propose a 20% reduction in TACs in these cases in order to achieve a gradual reduction in fishing mortality to levels of landings observed in recent years.

Relationships with recovery plans

In parallel to this proposal, the Commission is proposing a modification of the proposal for a recovery plan for cod and hake (COM(2001) 724 final).

The proposed TACs for northern hake, cod in Kattegat, North Sea, Skagerrak, Eastern channel, west of Scotland and in the Irish Sea are linked to the adoption of these recovery plans. If such recovery plans are not implemented, in particular the effort limitation scheme, the above TACs should be reduced in conformity with the scientific advice.

Allocation of quotas among Member States

As from 1 January 2003, with the expiry of the transitional periods in the 1985 and 1994 Acts of Accession, fishing vessels from Spain, Portugal and Finland will have the right to fish in the North Sea, subject to Community rules on access to waters, such as the restrictions on access to the so-called "Shetland Box", and on access to resources.

The rights of access to fisheries resources in the North Sea for Spanish, Portuguese and Finnish fishing vessels from 2003 depend on whether the fish stocks concerned are subject to Community management ("regulated") or not.

As far as access to unregulated or unallocated resources is concerned, vessels from any Member State may fish for these resources freely until the Community decides to manage such fisheries by setting catch limits for the target species or other species taken as by-catch. The Commission has no immediate intention to propose such rules for unregulated species in the North Sea. Any such fisheries that may develop will, however, be monitored in order in assess their impact on fishing for other species and, when appropriate, the Commission will make new proposals in the light of such monitoring reports and any relevant scientific advice.

As far as access to regulated resources is concerned, the following rules apply:

a) Allocations of regulated stocks made before accession of a Member State are part of the "acquis communautaire" accepted by the acceding Member State and therefore the end of the transitional period does not affect them.

b) In the case of stocks for which a first allocation was made during the transitional period (1985 or 1995-2002), when Spanish, Portuguese and Finnish vessels were excluded from the North Sea, their interests would need to be considered in future allocations.

The original allocations between Member States having access to the North Sea at the time were based on previous fishing activity for the stocks concerned, or "track record", reflected in landing statistics. The Council is, of course, free to take other elements into account than track record when deciding to allocate resources, such as the needs of regions dependent on fishing or losses of fishing opportunities in other waters. If it were to do so in this case, however, and change the basis for allocation of these stocks, the economic interests of incumbent fishermen who had track record before the first allocation and who have enjoyed rights based on track record since then, would be put at risk. This would appear to be contrary to the principle of relative stability. In a situation of declining fisheries resources the dependence of fishermen on existing fishing opportunities and existing quota allocation is greater than ever. At the same time it would be difficult to argue that newcomers were dependent on resources in areas where they had previously no fishing access.

c) From 1 January 2003 the interests of Spain, Portugal and Finland may be taken into account in any allocation by the Council of new fishing opportunities, i.e. fishing opportunities that are not already subject to allocation. Member States' interests are normally determined by reference to recent fishing performance, or "track record", reflected in landings statistics. The Council may, however, decide to make allocations to Member States with no track record. This might be pertinent in the case of Member States which for legal reasons were unable to develop a track record.

For the above reasons the Commission proposes no change in the allocation of stocks in the North Sea.

Other stocks

The Commission proposes for the first time a non-allocated TAC for sea-bass, corresponding to the average landings in recent years, in order to limit the effort on the fisheries for this specie as recommended by ICES.

Certain stocks are managed in the context of regional fisheries organisations or following bilateral consultations with third countries. The proposal, for these stocks, reflects the decisions taken within these frameworks. However, a small number of decisions have still to be taken. To delay putting forward this proposal until these decisions are taken would make it impossible to present the proposal in due time for Council to consider it before adoption in December.

Given that certain technical measures should be implemented as from 1 January 2002, they are included in this proposal, in the form of temporary derogations or additions to the main rules, while waiting for the corresponding regulations to be amended accordingly. As an complementary measure, the Commission will propose the restoration on a year-round basis of the closed areas previously agreed to protect cod stocks.

Regarding the Mediterranean, the Commission, based on both scientific information and STECF advice, proposes to end the derogation for the "gangui" fisheries because of its detrimental impact on coastal protected habitats and by catches of juveniles of several species. As for the other fisheries currently operating under derogation until the end of 2002, the Commission proposes to temporarily extend the current derogations until a new Regulation is adopted. This should take place within the first months of 2003 which would allow the Commission to identify the conditions under which certain fisheries could continue whilst others need to be discontinued.

Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96, introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TAC's and quotas, requires the Council to decide which stocks are subject to the various measures fixed therein. This is dealt with by this proposal under annex III.

During its Annual Meeting from 28 October to 4 November 2002, ICCAT fixed quotas for the European Community, for the year 2003, for Eastern Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (18.582 MT), Northern Atlantic Swordfish (6.665 MT), Southern Atlantic Swordfish (5.950 MT), Northern Albacore (28.712 MT), Bigeye (26.672 MT), Blue Marlin (103 MT) and White Marlin (46,53 MT).

Furthermore, during its Annual Meeting, ICCAT adopted tables showing the under-utilisation and over-utilisation by the ICCAT Contracting Parties of their fishing possibilities. In this context, ICCAT adopted a decision showing that during 2001, the European Community under-exploited its quota by 649.7 tonnes for Eastern Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, by 52 tonnes for the Southern Atlantic Swordfish, by 80.6 tonnes for the Northern Atlantic Swordfish, by 9,925.6 tonnes for the Northern Atlantic Albacore, by 1,047.8 tonnes for the Southern Atlantic Albacore and by 10,168 tonnes for the Bigeye. In order to respect the adjustements to the Community quotas established by ICCAT, it is necessary that the distribution of the under-utilisation is carried out on the basis of the respective contribution of each Member State towards the under-utilisation without modifying the distribution key established under Article xxx of the present Regulation concerning the annual allocation of TACs.

Finally, it is to be borne in mind that in the case of stocks jointly managed with Norway and the Faroe Islands, as the negotiations with these countries are not concluded, the proposal specifies p.m. (pro memoria). As soon as the agreements with these countries will be finalised, the corresponding figures will be incorporated in the proposal.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture [1] , and in particular Article 8(4) thereof,

[1] OJ L 389, 31.12.1992, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1181/98 (OJ L 164, 9.6.1998, p.1).

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2113/96 [2], and in particular Article 21 thereof,

[2] OJ L 6, 10.1.1998, p.1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2742/99 (OJ L 341, 31.12.1999, p.1).

Having regard to the proposal of the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 requires the Council to adopt, in the light of the available scientific advice and, in particular, of the report prepared by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, the measures necessary to ensure the rational and responsible exploitation of resources on a sustainable basis.

(2) Under the terms of Article 8(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92, it is incumbent upon the Council, in accordance with Article 4 of that Regulation, to establish the total allowable catches (TAC) by fishery or group of fisheries. Fishing opportunities should be allocated to Member States and third countries in accordance with Article 8(4)(ii) and (vi) of that Regulation.

(3) In order to ensure effective management of these TACs and quotas, the specific conditions under which fishing operations occur should be established.

(4) It is necessary to establish the principles and certain procedures of fishery management at Community level, so that Member States can ensure the management of the vessels flying their flag.

(5) In accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year to year management of TACs and quotas [3], it is necessary to indicate which stocks are subject to the various measures fixed therein.

[3] OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p.3.

(6) In accordance with the procedure provided for in the agreements or protocols on fisheries relations, the Community has held consultations on fishing rights with the Kingdom of Norway [4], the Government of Denmark and the Home government of the Faroe Islands [5] and the Home Rule Government of Greenland [6], the Republic of Iceland [7], the Republic of Latvia [8] ,the Republic of Lithuania [9] and the Republic of Estonia [10].

[4] OJ L 226, 29.8.1980, p.48.

[5] OJ L 226, 29.8.1980, p.12.

[6] OJ L 29, 1.2.1985, p.9.

[7] OJ L 161, 2.7.1993, p.1.

[8] OJ L 332, 20.12.1996, p.1.

[9] OJ L 332, 20.12.1996, p.6.

[10] OJ L 332,20.12.1996, p.16

(7) Pursuant to Article 124 of the Act of Accession, fisheries agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland with third countries are managed by the Community. In accordance with these agreements, the Community has held consultations with the Republic of Poland and with the Russian Federation.

(8) The Community is a Contracting Party to several regional fisheries organisations. These fisheries organisations have recommended the setting of catch limitations and other conservation rules for certain species, these recommendations should therefore be implemented by the Community.

(9) The execution of fishing opportunities should be in accordance with the Community legislation on the matter, and in particular with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy [11], Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean [12], Council Regulation (EC) No 1627/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down general provisions concerning special fishing permits [13], Regulation (EC) No 66/98, Council Regulation (EC) No 88/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound [14]and Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms [15].

[11] OJ L 261, 20.10.1993, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) 1965/2001 (OJ L 268, 9.10.2001, p.23).

[12] OJ L 171, 6.7.1994, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 973/2001 (OJ L 137, 19.5.2001, p.1).

[13] OJ L 171, 6.7.1994, p.7.

[14] OJ L 9, 15.1.1998, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1520/98 (OJ L 201, 17.7.1998, p.1).

[15] OJ L 125, 27.4.1998, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 973/2001 (OJ L 137, 19.5.2001, p.1).

(10) The duration of the application of certain provisions is limited in order to enable the Commission to adopt detailed rules implementing Article 28c of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93.

(11) TACs for stocks with recovery plans for 2003 should correspond to the recovery strategie laid down in Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of cod and hake stocks (XXX).

(12) In order to contribute to the conservation of fish stocks, certain complementary measures on control and technical conditions of fishing should be implemented in 2003.

(13) In order to comply with international obligations undertaken by the Community as a Contracting Party to the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and accordingly the obligation to apply the measures adopted by the CCAMLR Commission, the relevant dates of application are those corresponding to the beginning of the respective periods of application of the TACs as specified in Annex IG.

(14) Furthermore, during its Annual Meeting, ICCAT adopted tables showing the under-utilisation and over-utilisation by the ICCAT Contracting Parties of their fishing possibilities. In this context, ICCAT adopted a decision showing that during 2001, the European Community under-exploited the quotas of several stocks.

(15) In order to respect the adjustements to the Community quotas established by ICCAT, it is necessary that the distribution of the under-utilisation is carried out on the basis of the respective contribution of each Member State towards the under-utilisation without modifying the distribution key established under the present Regulation concerning the annual allocation of TACs.

(16) In order to ensure the livelihood of Community fishermen, it is important to open these fisheries on 1 January 2003. Given the urgency of the matter, it is imperative to grant an exception to the six-week period mentioned in paragraph I(3) of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I Scope and definitions

Article 1

1. This Regulation fixes for the year 2003, for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, fishing opportunities applicable to:

a) vessels flying the flag and registered in Member States, hereinafter "Community vessels" or "EC vessels" in zones where catch limitations are required; and

b) vessels flying the flag and registered in third countries, hereinafter "third country vessels" in waters falling within the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Member States, hereinafter "Community waters" or "EC waters";

and the specific conditions under which these fishing opportunities may be utilised.

However, for certain Antarctic stocks, fishing opportunities are fixed for the period specified in Annex IG.

2. For the purposes of this Regulation, fishing opportunities shall take the form of:

a) TACs or the number of vessels authorised to fish and/or the duration of these authorisations;

b) shares of the TACs available to the Community;

c) quotas allocated to the Community in third countries' waters;

d) allocation of Community fishing opportunities under (b) and (c) to Member States in the form of quotas;

e) allocation to third countries of quotas to be fished in Community waters.

Article 2

1. The definitions of ICES [16], CECAF [17] (Eastern Central Atlantic or FAO major fishing zone 34) NAFO [18] and CCAMLR [19] zones are those given, respectively, in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3880/91 of 17 December 1991 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in the Northeast Atlantic [20], Council Regulation (EC) No 2597/95 of 23 October 1995 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in certain areas other than those of the North Atlantic [21], Council Regulation (EEC) No 2018/93 of 30 June 1993 on the submission of catch and activity statistics by Member States fishing in the Northwest Atlantic [22]and Regulation (EC) No 66/98.

[16] International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

[17] Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic Fisheries.

[18] Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

[19] Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

[20] OJ L 365, 31.12.1991, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1637/2001 (OJ L 222, 17.8.2001, p. 20).

[21] OJ L 270, 13.11.1995, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1638/2001 (OJ L 222, 17.8.2001, p. 29).

[22] OJ L 186, 28.7.1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1636/2001 (OJ L 222, 17.8.2001, p. 1).

2. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

a) International waters shall be those falling outside the sovereignty or jurisdiction of any State;

b) NAFO Regulatory Area shall be the part of the area of the NAFO Convention not falling under the sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of coastal States;

c) The Skagerrak shall be bounded on the west by a line drawn from the Hanstholm lighthouse to the Lindesnes lighthouse and on the south by a line drawn from the Skagen lighthouse to the Tistlarna lighthouse and from this point to the nearest point on the Swedish coast;

d) The Kattegat shall be bounded on the north by a line drawn from the Skagen lighthouse to the Tistlarna lighthouse and from this point to the nearest point on the Swedish coast and on the south by a line drawn from Hasenøre to Gnibens Spids, from Korshage to Spodsbjerg and from Gilbjerg Hoved to Kullen;

e) The North Sea shall comprise ICES Sub-area IV and that part of ICES Division IIIa which is not covered by the definition of the Skagerrak given in point (c);

f) Management Unit 3 shall comprise ICES Sub-divisions 30 and 31 and the part of Sub division 29 situated north of 59° 30' N.

CHAPTER II Fishing opportunities and associated conditions for community vessels

Article 3

1. Fishing opportunities for Community vessels in Community waters or in certain non Community waters and the allocation of such fishing opportunities among Member States are fixed as set out in Annexes I and II.

2. Community vessels are hereby authorised to make catches, within the quota limits set out in the Annex I, in waters falling within the fisheries jurisdiction of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, , Norway and the fishing zone around Jan Mayen, and the Russian Federation, subject to the conditions stipulated under Articles 7 and 12.

3. The amount to be paid in conformity with the Agreements on fisheries relations between the European Community and the Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for the year 2003 shall be set as follows:

Country // Financial contribution

Estonia // EUR 314 600

Latvia // EUR 203 560

Lithuania // EUR 401 522

This contribution shall be payable to accounts designated by the authorities of the States concerned.

Article 4

The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States shall be without prejudice to:

1. exchanges made pursuant to Article 9(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92;

2. reallocations made pursuant to Article 21(4), Article 23(1) and Article 32(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93;

3. additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96;

4. quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96;

5. deductions made pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96.

Article 5 Quota flexibility

The stocks which are subject to a precautionary or to an analytical TAC, the stocks to which the year-to-year flexibility conditions stipulated in Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply, and the stocks to which the penalty coefficients provided for in Article 5(2) of the same Regulation shall apply, are fixed for 2003 in Annex III.

Article 6 Conditions for landing catch and by-catch

1. Fish from stocks for which fishing opportunities are fixed shall not be retained on board or landed unless:

(i) the catches have been taken by vessels of a Member State or a third country having a quota and that quota is not exhausted; or

(ii) where the Community share of the TAC has not been allocated by quota among Member States, it has not been exhausted; or

(iii) for all species other than herring and mackerel, where they are mixed with other species, the catches have been taken with nets whose mesh size is less than 32 millimetres in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 850/98, and are not sorted either on board or on landing; or

(iv) for herring, catches comply with the provisions set out in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1434/98 of 29 June 1998 specifying conditions under which herring may be landed for purposes other than direct human consumption [23]; or

[23] OJ L 191, 7.7.1998, p. 10.

(v) for mackerel, where they are mixed with horse mackerel or pilchard, the mackerel does not exceed 10% of the total weight of mackerel, horse mackerel and pilchard on board, and the catches are not sorted; or

(vi) catches are taken during the course of scientific investigations carried out under Regulation (EC) No 850/98.

All landings shall count against the quota or, if the Community share has not been allocated between Member States by quotas, against the Community share, except for catches made under the provisions of (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi).

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, when any of the fishing opportunities indicated in Annex II are exhausted, it shall be prohibited for vessels operating within the fisheries to which the relevant catch limitations apply to land catches which are unsorted and which contain herring.

3. The determination of the percentage of by-catches and their disposal shall be made in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 850/98.

Article 7 Access limits

1. No fishing by Community vessels shall take place in the Skagerrak within 12 nautical miles from the baselines of Norway. However, vessels flying the flag of Denmark or Sweden shall be allowed to fish up to 4 miles from the baselines of Norway.

2. Fishing by Community vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of Iceland shall be limited to the area defined by straight lines sequentially connecting the following co-ordinates:

South Western Area

1. 63°12'N and 23°05'W through 62°00'N and 26°00'W

2. 62°58'N and 22°25'W

3. 63°06'N and 21°30'W

4. 63°03'N and 21°00'W from there 180°00'S;

South Eastern Area

1. 63°14'N and 10°40'W

2. 63°14'N and 11°23'W

3. 63°35'N and 12°21'W

4. 64°00'N and 12°30'W

5. 63°53'N and 13°30'W

6. 63°36'N and 14°30'W

7. 63°10'N and 17°00'W from there 180°00'S.

Article 8 Special conditions for North Sea herring

The measures set out in Annex IV shall apply with regard to the capture, sorting and landing of herring taken from the North Sea, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat.

Article 9 Other technical and control measures

The technical measures set out in Annex V shall apply in 2003 in addition to those set out in Regulation (EC) No 850/98, Regulation (EC) No 88/98, Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 and Regulation (EC) No 973/2001.

CHAPTER III Fishing opportunities and associated conditions for third country vessels

Article 10

Vessels flying the flag of Barbados, Estonia, Guyana, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela and vessels registered in the Faroe Islands are hereby authorised to make catches, within the quota limits set out in Annex I, in Community waters, and subject to the conditions stipulated under Articles 11 and 13.

Article 11

Without prejudice to the access restrictions stated in Community law, fishing by vessels flying the flag of:

(i) Norway or registered in the Faroe Islands shall be limited to those parts of the 200 nautical mile zone lying seawards of 12 nautical miles from the baselines of Member States in the North Sea, Kattegat, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean north of 43° 00' N; fishing in the Skagerrak by vessels flying the flag of Norway shall be allowed seawards of four nautical miles from the baselines of Denmark and Sweden;

(ii) Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania shall be limited to those parts of the 200-nautical-mile zone lying seawards of 12 nautical miles from the baselines of Member States in the Baltic Sea south of 59°30' N;

(iii) Poland or the Russian Federation shall be limited to those parts of the Swedish part of the 200-nautical-mile zone lying seawards of 12 nautical miles from the baselines of Sweden in the Baltic Sea south of 59°30'N;

(iv) Barbados, Guyana, Japan, South Korea, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela shall be limited to those parts of the 200-nautical-mile zone lying seawards of 12 nautical miles from the baselines of the French Department of Guyana.

CHAPTER IV Licensing arrangements for community vessels

Article 12

1. Notwithstanding the general rules on fishing licenses and special fishing permits provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1627/94, fishing in waters of third countries shall be subject to the holding of a licence issued by the authorities of the third country. However, these provisions shall not apply, when fishing in Norwegian waters of the North Sea, to:

(a) vessels of a tonnage equal to or less than 200 GT;

(b) vessels carrying out fisheries for human consumption for species other than mackerel;

(c) Swedish vessels, in line with established practice.

2. The maximum number of licences and other associated conditions is fixed as set out in Annex VI. Requests for licences shall indicate the types of fishing and the name and characteristics of the vessels for which licenses are to be issued and shall be addressed by the authorities of the Member States to the Commission. The Commission shall submit these requests to the authorities of the third country concerned.

3. Community vessels shall comply with the conservation and control measures and all other provisions governing the zone in which they operate.

4. Community vessels licensed to conduct a directed fishery for one species in waters of the Faroe Islands may conduct directed fishery for another species on condition of prior notification of the change to the Faroese authorities.

CHAPTER V Licensing arrangements for third country vessels

Article 13

1. Notwithstanding Article 28b of Regulation (EC) No 2847/93 Norwegian vessels of less than 200 GT are exempted from the obligation to have a license and a fishing permit.

2. An application for a license and special fishing permit from an authority of a third country to the Commission shall be accompanied by the following information:

(a) name of the vessel;

(b) registration number;

(c) external identification letters and numbers;

(d) port of registration;

(e) name and address of the owner or charterer;

(f) gross tonnage and overall length;

(g) engine power;

(h) call sign and radio frequency;

(i) intended method of fishing;

(j) intended area of fishing;

(k) species for which it is intended to fish;

(l) period for which a license is required.

3. The licence and special fishing permit shall be kept on board. Vessels registered in the Faroe Islands or Norway shall be exempted from that obligation.

4. The granting of licences to fish in the waters of the French Department of Guyana shall be subject to the undertaking by the owner of the vessel concerned to permit an observer to come on board at the Commission's request.

5. The number of licences and special associated conditions is hereby fixed as set out in Annex VI, Part II.

6. Vessels from third countries authorised to fish on 31 December 2002 may continue to fish as from the beginning of the year 2003 until the list of vessels authorised to fish is submitted to and approved by the Commission.

7. Licenses and special fishing permits may be cancelled with a view to the issue of new licenses and special fishing permits. Such cancellations shall take effect on the day before the date of issue of the new licenses and special fishing permits by the Commission. New licenses and special fishing permits shall take effect from their date of issue.

8. Licenses and special fishing permits shall be wholly or partially withdrawn before the date of expiry if the quota for the stock in question fixed in Annex I has been exhausted.

9. Licenses and special fishing permits shall be withdrawn in the event of any failure to meet the obligations laid down in this Regulation.

10. For a period not exceeding 12 months, no license and special fishing permit shall be issued for any vessel in respect of which the obligations laid down in this Regulation have not been met.

11. The Commission shall submit to the authorities of the third country concerned the names and characteristics of the vessels which shall not be authorised to fish in the Community fishing zone for the following month or months as a consequence of an infringement of the relevant rules.

Article 14

1. Third country vessels shall comply with the conservation and control measures and other provisions governing fishing of Community vessels in the zone in which they operate, in particular Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94, No 88/98, No 850/98 and Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1381/87 of 20 May 1987 establishing detailed rules concerning the marking and documentation of fishing vessels [24].

[24] OJ L 132, 21.5.1987, p. 9.

2. The master of each vessel in possession of a licence for finfish or tuna fishing in the waters of the French Department of Guyana shall, on landing the catch after each trip, submit to the French authorities a declaration, for whose accuracy the master alone is responsible, stating the quantities of shrimp caught and kept on board since the last declaration. This declaration shall be made using the form of which a model appears in Annex VI, Part III.

The French authorities shall take all appropriate measures to verify the accuracy of the declarations, by checking them in particular against the log book referred to in paragraph 3. The declaration shall be signed by the competent official after it has been verified.

Before the end of each month, the French authorities shall send to the Commission all the declarations relating to the preceding month.

3. The vessels referred to in paragraph 1 shall keep a log-book in which the information set out in Annex VII, Part I shall be entered.

However, the vessels fishing in the waters of the French Department of Guyana, shall keep a log book corresponding to the model appearing in Annex VII, Part II. A copy of this log book shall be sent to the Commission within 30 days of the last day of each fishing trip via the French authorities.

4. Third country vessels, except Norwegian vessels fishing in ICES Division IIIa, shall transmit to the Commission, in accordance with the rules laid down in Annex VIII, the information set out in that Annex.

If, for a period of one month, the Commission receives no communication concerning a vessel in possession of a licence to fish in waters of the French Department of Guyana, the licence of that vessel shall be withdrawn.

CHAPTER VI Special provisions for community vessels fishing in areas covered by regional fisheries organisations

Article 15 Area of NAFO - Community participation

1. Member States shall forward to the Commission a list of all vessels flying their flag and registered in the Community which intend to take part in the fishing activities in the NAFO Regulatory Area not later than 20 January 2003 or, thereafter, at least 30 days before the intended commencement of such activity. The information forwarded shall include:

(a) name of vessel;

(b) official registration number of the vessel assigned by the competent national authorities;

(c) home port of the vessel;

(d) name of owner or charterer of the vessel;

(e) a declaration that the master has been provided with a copy of the regulations in force in the NAFO Regulatory Area;

(f) the principal species fished by the vessel in the NAFO Regulatory Area;

(g) the sub-areas where the vessel may be expected to fish.

2. For vessels temporarily flying the flag of a Member State (bare boat charter), the information forwarded shall include:

(a) date as from which the vessel has been authorised to fly the flag of the Member State;

(b) date as from which the vessel has been authorised by the Member State to engage in fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area;

(c) name of the State where the vessel is registered or has been previously registered and the date as from which it ceased flying the flag of that State;

(d) name of the vessel;

(e) official registration number of the vessel assigned by the competent national authorities;

(f) home port of the vessel after the transfer;

(g) name of owner or charterer of the vessel;

(h) a declaration that the master has been provided with a copy of the regulations in force in the NAFO Regulatory Area;

(i) the principal species fished by the vessel in the NAFO Regulatory Area;

(j) the sub-areas where the vessel may be expected to fish.

Article 16 Greenland halibut fishery

Member States shall transmit to the Commission the fishing plan for their vessels fishing for Greenland halibut in the NAFO Regulatory Area not later than 20 January 2003 or, thereafter, at least 30 days before the intended commencement of such activity. The fishing plan shall identify, inter alia, the vessel or vessels which will engage in this fishery. The fishing plan shall represent the total fishing effort to be deployed with respect to this fishery in relation to the extent of the fishing opportunities available to the Member State making the notification.

Member States shall, no later than 31 December 2003, report to the Commission on the implementation of their fishing plans, including the number of vessels actually engaged in this fishery and the total number of days fished.

Article 17 Technical measures in the NAFO Regulatory Area

1. Mesh sizes

The use of trawl net having in any section thereof net meshes of dimensions less than 130 mm shall be prohibited for direct fishing of the species referred to in Annex IX. This mesh size may be reduced to minimum 60 mm for direct fishing of short-finned squid (Illex illecebrosus). For direct fishing of skates (Rajidae) this mesh size shall be increased to minimum 280 mm in the cod-end and 220 mm in all other parts of the trawl.

Vessels fishing for shrimp (Pandalus borealis) shall use nets with a minimum mesh size of 40 mm.

2. Attachments to nets

The use of any means or device other than those described in this paragraph which obstructs the meshes of a net or which diminishes their size shall be prohibited.

Canvas, netting or any other material may be attached to the underside of the cod-end in order to reduce or prevent damage. Sorting grids?

Devices may be attached to the upper side of the cod-end provided that they do not obstruct the meshes of the cod-end. The use of top-side chafers shall be limited to those mentioned in Annex X.

Vessels fishing for shrimp (Pandalus borealis) shall use sorting grids or grates with a maximum spacing between bars of 22mm.

3. By-catches

Masters of the vessels may not conduct directed fisheries for species for which by-catch limits apply. A directed fishery for a species is conducted when that species comprises the largest percentage by weight of the catch in any one haul.

By-catches of the species listed in Annex IE for which no quotas have been fixed by the Community for a part of the NAFO Regulatory Area and taken in that part when fishing directly for any species may not exceed for each species 2 500 kg or 10% by weight of the total catch retained on board, whichever is the greater. However, in a part of the Regulatory Area where directed fishing of certain species is banned, by-catches of each of the species listed in Annex IE may not exceed 1 250 kg or 5% respectively.

Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any haul exceed the limits laid down above, whichever is applicable, vessels shall immediately change fishing area and move a minimum of five nautical miles away from the previous haul. Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any future haul exceed the said limits, vessels shall again immediately change fishing area and move a minimum of five nautical miles away from the previous hauls.

For vessels fishing for shrimp (Pandalus borealis), in the event that total by-catches of all species listed in Annex IE in any haul exceed 5% by weight, vessels shall immediately change fishing area (minimum 5-nautical-miles) in order to seek to avoid further by-catches of this species.

Catches of shrimp shall not be used in the calculation of by-catch level of groundfish species.

4. Minimum size of fish

Fish from the NAFO Regulatory Area which do not have the size required as set out in Annex XI may not be processed, retained on board, transshipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea. Where the quantity of caught fish not having the required size exceeds in certain fishing waters 10% of the total quantity, the vessel must move away to a distance of at least five nautical miles before continuing fishing. Any processed fish of a species for which a minimum fish size is set out in Annex XI that is below the relevant size set out in Annex XII, shall be deemed to originate from fish that is below the minimum fish size.

Article 18 Control measures

1. In addition to complying with Articles 6, 8, 11 and 12 of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93, masters of vessels shall enter in the log book the information listed in Annex XIII.

2. When fishing directly for one or more of the species listed in Annex IX, vessels may not carry nets the mesh size of which is smaller than that laid down in Article 17(1). However, vessels fishing in the course of the same voyage in areas other than the NAFO Regulatory Area may keep such nets on board provided these nets are securely lashed and stowed and are not available for immediate use, that is to say:

(a) nets shall be unshackled from their boards and their hauling or trawling cables and ropes; and

(b) nets carried on or above the deck must be lashed securely to a part of the superstructure.

3. The masters of vessels flying the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community shall, in respect of catches of the species listed in Annex IE, keep:

(a) a log book stating, by species and by processed product, the aggregate output; or

(b) a storage plan of products processed, indicating, by species, where they are located in the hold.

The masters shall provide the necessary assistance to enable the quantities declared in the log book and the processed products stored on board to be verified.

4. Vessels flying the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community shall not engage in transshipment operations in the NAFO Regulatory Area unless they have received prior authorization to do so from the competent authorities of the Member States whose flag the vessel is flying or in which the vessel is registered.

5 Member States shall report to the Commission daily the quantities of Northern prawns (Pandalus borealis) caught in Division 3L of the NAFO Regulatory Area by vessels flying the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community.

Article 19 Redfish fishery

1. The masters of vessels flying the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community, fishing for redfish in zone 3M of the NAFO Regulatory Area, shall notify every second Monday to the competent authorities of the Member State, whose flag the vessel is flying or in which the vessel is registered, the quantities of redfish caught in zone 3M in the two-week period ending at 12 midnight on the previous Sunday.

2. Member States shall report to the Commission every second Tuesday before 12 noon for the fortnight ending at 12 midnight on the previous Sunday the quantities of redfish caught in sub-Area 2 and Division IF, 3K and 3M of the NAFO Regulatory Area by vessels flying the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community.

Article 20 Statistical and scientific data

1. Member States shall provide, for vessels flying their flag and registered in the Community and fishing for yellowtail flounder in Division 3LNO of the NAFO Regulatory Area:

(a) nominal catch and discard statistics, broken down by unit areas no larger than 1° latitude and 1° longitude, based upon the relevant entries in the log book as provided for by Article 18(1), summarised on a monthly basis;

(b) length sampling for both nominal catches and discards, with a sampling intensity on the same scale as adopted in (a) and summarised on a monthly basis.

2. Member States shall supply, for vessels flying their flag and registered in the Community and conducting redfish and flatfish fisheries on the Flemish Cap in the NAFO Regulatory area:

(a) in addition to the normal reports, statistics on discards of cod, based upon the relevant entries in the log book as provided for by Article 18(1), summarised on a monthly basis;

(b) length samples of cod for the two fisheries separately, with depth information accompanying each sample, summarised on a monthly basis.

3. Length samples shall be taken from all parts of the respective catch of each species concerned in such a manner that at least one statistically significant sample is taken from the first haul taken each day. The size of a fish shall be measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin.

Length samples taken as described in the first sub-paragraph shall be deemed to be representative of all catches of the species concerned.

Article 21 Area of CCAMLR

Direct fishing of the species set out in Annex XIV shall be prohibited in the zones and during the periods indicated therein.

CHAPTER VII Final Provisions

Article 22

Pursuant to Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93, data relating to the landing of quantities of stocks caught shall be sent by Member States to the Commission on a computerised format by using stock codes set out in Annex XVI.

Article 23

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2003.

Where the TACs of the CCAMLR area are set for periods starting prior to 1 January 2003, Article 21 shall apply with effect from the beginning of the respective periods of application of the TACs.

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

Done at Brussels, [...]

For the Council

The President

[...]

ANNEX I Fishing opportunities applicable for Community vessels in areas where catch limitations exist and for vessels from third countries in Community waters, by species and by area (in tonnes live weight, except where otherwise specified)

All catch limitations set out in this Annex are considered as quotas for the purposes of Article 7, and shall, therefore, be subject to the rules set out in Regulation (EC) No 2847/93, in particular Articles 14 and 15 thereof.

Within each area fish stocks are referred to following the alphabetical order of the Latin names of the species. A table of correspondences of common names and Latin names is given below for the purposes of this Regulation:

Common name // Scientific name

Alfonsinos // Beryx spp.

American plaice // Hippoglossoides platessoides

Anchovy // Engraulis encrasicolus

Anglerfish // Lophiidae

Antarctic icefish // Champsocephalus gunnari

Antarctic toothfish // Dissostichus eleginoides

Atlantic catfish // Anarhichas lupus

Atlantic halibut // Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Atlantic salmon // Salmo salar

Basking shark // Cetorhinus maximus

Bigeye tuna // Thunnus obesus

Black scabbardfish // Aphanopus carbo

Blackfin icefish // Chaenocephalus aceratus

Blue ling // Molva dypterigia

Blue marlin // Makaira nigricans

Blue whiting // Micromesistius poutassou

Bluefin tuna // Thunnus thynnus

Capelin // Mallotus villosus

Cod // Gadus morhua

Common sole // Solea solea

Crab // Paralomis spp.

Dab // Limanda limanda

Flatfish // Pleuronectiformes

Flounder // Platichthys flesus

Forkbeards // Phycis spp.

Greater silver smelt // Argentina silus

Greenland halibut // Reinhardtius hippoglossoides

Grenadier // Macrourus spp.

Grey rockcod // Lepidonothen squamifrons

Haddock // Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Hake // Merluccius merluccius

Herring // Clupea harengus

Horse mackerel // Trachurus spp.

Humped rockcod // Gobionotothen gibberifrons

Krill // Euphausia superba

Lantern fish // Electrona carlsbergi

Lemon sole // Microstomus kitt

Ling // Molva molva

Mackerel // Scomber scombrus

Marbled rockcod // Notothenia rossii

Megrims // Lepidorhombus spp.

Northern prawn // Pandalus borealis

Norway lobster // Nephrops norvegicus

Norway pout // Trisopterus esmarki

Orange roughy // Hoplostethus atlanticus

'Penaeus' shrimps // Penaeus spp

Plaice // Pleuronectes platessa

Polar cod // Boreogadus saida

Pollack // Pollachius pollachius

Porbeagle // Lamna nasus

Redfish // Sebastes spp.

Red Seabream // Pagellus bogaraveo

Roughead grenadier // Macrourus berglax

Roundnose grenadier // Coryphaenoides rupestris

Saithe // Pollachius virens

Sandeel // Ammodytidae

Seabass // Dicentrarchus labrax

Short fin squid // Illex illecebrosus

Skates and rays // Rajidae

South Georgian icefish // Pseudochaenichthys georgianus

Spanish ling // Molva macrophthalmus

Sprat // Sprattus sprattus

Spurdog // Squalus acanthias

Swordfish // Xiphias gladius

Toothfish // Dissostichus eleginoides

Turbot // Psetta maxima

Tusk // Brosme brosme

Unicorn icefish // Channichthys rhinoceratus

White marlin // Tetrapturus alba

Whiting // Merlangius merlangus

Witch flounder // Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Yellowfin tuna // Thunnus albacares

Yellowtail flounder // Limanda ferruginea

ANNEX IA BALTIC SEA

All TACs in this area, except for plaice, are adopted in the framework of IBSFC.

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ANNEX IB SKAGERRAK AND KATTEGAT AND NORTH SEA

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ANNEX IC NORTH EAST ATLANTIC AND GREENLAND ICES areas I, II, IIIa, IV, V, XII, XIV and NAFO 0,1 (Greenland waters)

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ANNEX ID WESTERN COMMUNITY WATERS ICES areas Vb (EC waters), VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, CECAF (EC waters), and French Guyana

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ANNEX IE NORTH WEST ATLANTIC Area of NAFO

All TACs and associate conditions are adopted in the framework of NAFO.

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ANNEX IF HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH All Areas

TACS in this area are adopted in the framework of international fisheries organisations on tuna fisheries, such as ICCAT and IATTC.

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ANNEX IG ANTARTIC Area of CCAMLR

These TACs, adopted by CCAMLR, are not allocated to the members of CCAMLR and hence the Community share is undetermined. Catches are monitored by the Secretariat of CCAMLR, who will communicate when fishing must cease due to TAC exhaustion.

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ANNEX II Fishing opportunities applicable in 2003 for herring to be landed unsorted for purposes other than human consumption (in tonnes, live weight)

All catch limitations set out in this Annex are considered as quotas for the purposes of Article 7 and shall, therefore, be subject to the rules set out in R

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egulation (EC) No 2847/93, in particular Articles 14 and 15 thereof.

ANNEX III STOCKS SUBJECT TO THE VARIOUS MEASURES OF REGULATION (EC) No 847/96

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ANNEX IV SPECIAL MEASURES CONCERNING NORTH SEA HERRING

Member States shall adopt special measures concerning the capture, sorting or landing of herring taken from the North Sea or from the Skagerrak and Kattegat with a view to ensuring the observance of catch limitations, in particular those set in Annex II. These measures shall include, in particular:

* special control and inspection programmes;

* fishing effort plans, including lists of authorised vessels and, where deemed necessary on the basis of quota exhaustion beyond the level of 70%, limitations on the activity of authorised vessels;

* control of transhipment and of practices which incur discarding;

* where possible, temporary prohibition of fishing in areas where high by-catch rates of herring, in particular juveniles, are known to occur.

1. In case of landings of herring unsorted from the remainder of the catch, Member States shall ensure that adequate sampling programmes are in place in order to monitor effectively all landings of by catches of herring. It shall be prohibited to land catches of fish containing unsorted herring in harbours where these sampling programmes are not in place.

2. Commission inspectors shall, in accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EC) No 2847/93 and whenever the Commission deems it necessary for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, carry out independent inspections to verify the implementation by the competent authorities of the sampling programmes and of the detailed measures mentioned in paragraph 1.

3. The Commission shall prohibit landings of herring if it is deemed that implementation of the measures mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 does not achieve a strict control of fishing mortality of herring in all fisheries.

4. All landings of herring caught in ICES areas IIIa, IV and VIId by vessels which carry on board only towed nets of mesh sizes equal to or greater than 32 mm, while taking these catches in these areas, will be counted against a relevant quota as defined in Annex I to this Regulation.

5. All landings of herring caught in ICES areas IIIa, IV and VIId by vessels which carry on board towed nets of mesh size less than 32 mm, while taking these catches in these areas, will be counted against a relevant quota as defined in Annex II to this Regulation. Herring landed by vessels operating within these conditions shall not be offered for sale for human consumption.

________________________

ANNEX V TRANSITIONAL TECHNICAL MEASURES

1. Type of gear authorised for cod fishery in the Baltic Sea

1.1 Towed nets

1.1.1 Without exit windows

By way of derogation from the provisions of the minimum mesh size of 120 mm set out in Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) No 88/98 for trawls, Danish seines and similar nets, the minimum mesh size shall be 130 mm until 31 August 2003. From 1 September 2003 the minimum mesh size shall be 140 mm, applicable to the entire codend and at least to the last eight meters of the net measured from the codline with the meshes stretched lengthwise. The maximum twine thickness shall be 6 mm if single twine is used and 4 mm if double twine is used. The said mesh size and twine thickness shall apply to any codend or extension piece found on board a fishing vessel and attached to or suitable for attachment to any towed net.

1.1.2 With exit windows

By way of derogation from the provisions of special selectivity devices in Annex V of Council Regulation (EC) No88/98 the provisions in the Appendix 1 to this Annex shall apply.

1.2 Gillnets

By way of derogation from the provisions of Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) No 88/98, the minimum mesh size for gillnets shall be 110 mm.

The nets shall not exceed a maximum length of 12 km for vessels with an overall length of up to and including 12 m.

The nets shall not exceed a maximum length of 24 km for vessels with an overall length of more than 12 m.

The soaking time of the nets shall not exceed 48 hours counting from the time the nets are first put in the water to the time when the nets are fully recovered on board the fishing vessel.

2. By-catch of cod in the Baltic Sea

By way of derogation from the provisions of Article 3(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 88/98 the by-catch of cod taken when fishing for herring and sprat with mesh sizes of 32mm or smaller shall not exceed 3% by weight. Of this by-catch, no more than 5% of undersized cod shall be kept on board.

By-catches of cod may not exceed 10% when fishing for other species than herring and sprat with trawls and Danish seines with meshes of smaller size than those referred to in point 1.1.1 and without an exit window referred to in point 1.1.2.

3. Minimum size for cod

By way of derogation from the provisions of the minimum size for cod, as laid down in Annex III to Council Regulation (EC) No 88/9, the minimum size shall be 38 cm.

4. Summer ban for Baltic cod

Fishing for cod shall be prohibited in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound from 1 June to 31 August 2003 inclusive.

5. Closure of Bornholm Deep

All fishing shall be prohibited from 15 May to 31 August 2003 within the area bounded by the following co-ordinates:

* latitude 55° 30' N, longitude 15° 30' E

* latitude 55° 30' N, longitude 16° 10' E

* latitude 55° 15' N, longitude 16° 10' E

* latitude 55° 15' N, longitude 15° 30' E

6. Technical conservation measures in the Skagerrak and in the Kattegat

Notwithstanding the conditions set out in Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98, the following rules shall apply in 2003:

(a) A mesh size of 35 mm shall apply when fishing for prawns (Pandalus borealis);

(b) A mesh size of 30 mm shall be used when fishing for argentine (Argentina spp.);

(c) When fishing for whiting with a mesh size of 70 to 89 mm, the by-catch shall not exceed 30% for the following species: cod, haddock, hake, plaice, witch, lemon sole, turbot, brill, flounder, megrim, dab, saithe and lobster;

(d) When fishing for Norway lobster with a mesh size of 70 to 89 mm, the by-catches should not exceed 60% for the following species: cod, hake, plaice, witch, lemon sole, turbot, brill, flounder, megrim, whiting, dab, saithe and lobster;

(e) When fishing for prawns (Pandalus borealis) with a mesh size of 35 to 69 mm, the by-catches should not exceed 50% for the following species: cod, haddock, hake, plaice, witch, lemon sole, turbot, brill, flounder, herring, mackerel, megrim, whiting, dab, saithe, Norway lobster and lobster;

(f) In all fisheries other than those covered in (c), (d) and (e) above, using a mesh size below 90 mm, the by-catches should not exceed 10% for the following species: cod, haddock, hake, plaice, witch, lemon sole, turbot, brill, flounder, mackerel, megrim, whiting, dab, saithe, Norway lobster and lobster.

7. Haddock box

All fishing, except with longlines, shall be prohibited in Community and in waters beyond the areas under national jurisdiction of Member States in the box bounded by the following coordinates:

Point No Latitude Longitude

1 57°00 N 15°00 W

2 57°00 N 14°00 W

3 56°30 N 14°00 W

4 56°30 N 15°00 W

8. Fishing for herring in area IIa (EC waters)

Fishing with towed gear of a mesh size less than 54 mm or with purse seines in area IIa (EC waters) is allowed only between 1 March and 15 May.

9. Technical conservation measures in the Mediterranean

The fisheries, other than trawl fisheries carried out with fishing gears classified in the category so-called "Gangui", currently operating under the derogation, provided for in Article 3(1) and (1a) of Council Regulation (EC) N 1626/94, may temporarily continue their activity in 2003.

Appendix 1 to Annex V

Specifications of Top Window Codend "BACOMA"

Specification of 120 mm, measured as inner diameter opening, square mesh window in a codend with a 105 mm or larger mesh size in trawls, Danish seines or similar towed nets

The window shall be a rectangular section of netting in the codend. There shall be only one window. The window shall not be obstructed in any way by either internal or external attachments

Size of the codend, extension piece and the rear end of the trawl

The codend shall be constructed of two panels of equal size, joined together by selvedges one on each side.

The carrying on board of a net having more than 100 open diamond meshes in any circumference of the codend, excluding the joining or the selvedges shall be prohibited.

The number of open diamond meshes, excluding those in the selvedges, at any point on any circumference of any extension or lengthening piece shall not be less or more than the maximum number of meshes on the circumference of the front end of the codend stricto sensu and the rear end of the tapered section of the trawl excluding meshes in the selvedges (Figure 1).

Location of the window

The window shall be inserted into the top panel of the codend. The window shall terminate not more than 4 meshes from the codline, inclusive of the hand braided row of meshes through which the codline is passed (Figure 2.).

Size of the window

The width of the window, expressed in number of mesh bars, shall be equal to the number of open diamond meshes in the top panel divided by two. If necessary, it will be allowed to maintain at the most 20% of the number of open diamond meshes in the top panel divided evenly on the both sides of the window panel (Figure 3).

Length of the window shall be at least 3.5 meters.

The netting of the window

The meshes shall have a minimum mesh opening of 120 millimeters. The meshes shall be square meshes i.e. all four sides of the window netting will be cut all bars. The netting shall be mounted such that the bars run parallel and perpendicular to the length of the codend. The netting shall be knotless braided single twine or a netting with similar proven selective properties. The diameter of the single yarn shall be at least 4.9 millimeters.

Other specification

The mounting specifications are defined in Figures 4a-c. The length of the lifting strap shall not be less than 4 m.

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 1. Trawl gear can be divided into three different sections according to shape and function. The trawl body is always a tapered section often between 10 and 40 m long. The extension piece is an untapered section normally manufactured of either one or two pieces of 49.5 mesh long nets giving a stretched length between 6 or 12 m. The codend is also an untapered section often made of double twine in order to have a better resistance against heavy wearing. The codend length is often 49.5 meshes i.e. circa 6 metres although shorter codends (2-4) exists in smaller vessels. The part below the lifting strap is called lifting bag.

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 2. The distance of the window panel from the codline is 4 meshes. There are 3.5 diamond meshes in the upper panel and one 0.5 mesh deep hand-braided "codline" row.

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 3. Twenty percent of diamond meshes in the upper panel along a perpendicular row running from one selvedge to another may be maintained. For example (like in figure 3) if the upper panel were 30 open meshes wide 20% of that would be 6 meshes. Then three open meshes are divided on both sides of the window panel. Consequently the width of the window panel then becomes 12 mesh bars (30 - 6 = 24 diamond meshes divided by two is 12 mesh bars).

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Lower panel

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Diamond mesh panel

49 ½ md

105 mm inside

AN

1 row of codline meshes

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 4a: Showing the construction of lower panel made of 49.5 meshes deep netting

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Upper panel

(without diamond meshes between selvedge and square mesh panel)

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

AN

Joining: 2 diamond meshes/

1 bar in square panel

105 mm inside 16 ½ md

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Joining: 1 bar in square panel/

2 diamond meshes

AN

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

1 row of codline meshes

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 4b: the construction of upper panel, size and position of the window panel in case when the escape panel runs from selvedge to selvedge

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Upper panel

(with diamond meshes between selvedge and square mesh panel)

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

105 mm inside 16 ½ md

Joining: 2 diamond meshes/ 1 bar in square panel

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

2 knots in joining square panel to max 5 open diamond meshes on both sides of square panel

AN

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

(29 ½ md) 3,54 met

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Joining: 1 bar in square panel/ 2 diamond meshes

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

1 row of codline meshes

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

Figure 4c: The construction of upper panel in case 20% of diamond meshes in the upper panel are maintained and equally divided on both sides of the window

ANNEX VI

Part I QUANTITATIVE LIMITATIONS OF LICENCES AND FISHING PERMITS FOR COMMUNITY VESSELS FISHING IN THIRD COUNTRY WATERS

>TABLE POSITION>

PART II Quantitative limitations of licences and fishing permits for third countries vessels in Community waters

>TABLE POSITION>

PART III Declaration pursuant to Article 14 (2)

LANDING DECLARATION 1

>TABLE POSITION>

Quantity of shrimps landed (in live-weight) //

"Head-off" shrimps: kg

or ( x 1,6) = kg (head-on shrimps) //

"Head-on" shrimps: kg //

Thunnidae: kg // Snapper (Lutjanidae): kg

Shark: kg // Other: kg

______________

1 One copy is kept by the master, one copy is kept by the control officer, and one copy is to be sent to the Commission of the European Communities."________________________

ANNEX VII Part I Information to record in the logbook

When fishing within the 200-nautical-mile zone off the coasts of the Member States of the Community which is covered by Community rules on fisheries, the following details are to be entered in the log-book immediately after the following events:

After each haul:

1.1. the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species caught;

1.2. the date and the time of the haul;

1.3. the geographical position in which the catches were made;

1.4. the fishing method used.

After each trans-shipment to or from another vessel:

2.1. the indication "received from" or "transferred to";

2.2. the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species trans-shipped;

2.3. the name, external identifications letters and numbers of the vessel to or from which the trans-shipment occurred.

2.4. trans-shipment of cod is not allowed.

After each landing in a port of the Community:

3.1. name of the port;

3.2. the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species landed.

After each transmission of information to the Commission of the European Communities:

4.1. date and time of the transmission;

4.2. type of message: IN, OUT, ICES, WKL or 2 WKL;

4.3. in the case of radio transmission: name of the radio station.

Part II

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

ANNEX VIII CONTENT AND MODALITIES OF THE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION TO THE COMMISSION

The information to be transmitted to the Commission of the European Communities and the timetable for its transmission are as follows:

1.1 On each occasion the vessel enters the 200-nautical-mile zone off the coasts of the Member States of the Community which is covered by Community rules on fisheries:

(a) the information specified under 1.5;

(b) the quantity (in kilograms) of each species of fish in the hold;

(c) the date and ICES division within which the master intends to commence fishing.

Where the fishing operations necessitate more than one entry into the zones referred to under 1.1 on a given day, one communication shall suffice on first entry.

1.2. On each occasion the vessel leaves the zone referred to under 1.1:

(a) the information specified under 1.5;

(b) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species of fish in the hold;

(c) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species caught since the previous transmission;

(d) the ICES division in which the catches were taken;

(e) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species transferred to and/or from other vessels since the vessel entered the zone and the identification of the vessel to which the transfer was made;

(f) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species landed in a port of the Community since the vessel entered the zone.

Where the fishing operations necessitate more than one entry into the zones referred to under 1.1 on a given day, one single communication on the last exit will be sufficient.

1.3. At three-day intervals, commencing on the third day after the vessel first enters the zones referred to under 1.1 when fishing for herring and mackerel, and at weekly intervals, commencing on the seventh day after the vessel first enters the zones referred to under 1.1 when fishing for all species other than herring and mackerel:

(a) the information specified under 1.5;

(b) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species caught since the previous transmission;

(c) the ICES division in which the catches were made.

1.4. On each occasion the vessel moves from one ICES division to another:

(a) the information specified under 1.5;

(b) the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species caught since the previous transmission;

(c) the ICES division in which the catches have been taken.

1.5. (a) The name, call sign, external identification letters and numbers of the vessel and the name of its master;

(b) the licence number if the vessel is under licence;

(c) the serial number of the message for the voyage concerned;

(d) identification of the type of message;

(e) the date, the time and the geographical position of the vessel.

2.1. The information specified under point 1 shall be transmitted to the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels (telex 24189 FISEU-B) via one of the radio stations listed under point 3 below and in the form specified under point 4.

2.2. If it is impossible for reasons of force majeure for the message to be transmitted by the vessel, it may be transmitted on the vessel's behalf by another vessel.

3. Name of radio station Call sign of radio station

Lyngby // OXZ

Land's End // GLD

Valentia // EJK

Malin Head // EJM

Torshavn // OXJ

Bergen // LGN

Farsund // LGZ

Florø // LGL

Rogaland // LGQ

Tjøme // LGT

Ålesund // LGA

Ørlandet // LFO

Bodø // LPG

Svalbard // LGS

Blåvand // OXB

Gryt // GRYT RADIO

Göteborg // SOG

Turku // OFK

4. Form of the communications

The information specified under point 1 shall contain the following particulars, which shall be given in the following order:

* name of vessel;

* call sign;

* external identification letters and numbers;

* serial number of the message for the voyage in question;

* indication of the type of message according to the following code:

- message when entering one of the zones referred to under 1.1: "IN",

- message when leaving one of the zones referred to under 1.1: "OUT",

- message when moving from one ICES division to another: "ICES",

- weekly message: "WKL",

- three-day message: "2 WKL";

* the date, the time and the geographical position;

* the ICES divisions/sub-areas in which fishing is expected to commence;

* the date on which fishing is expected to commence;

* the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species of fish in the hold using the code mentioned in point 5;

* the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species of fish caught since the previous transmission using the code mentioned in point 5;

* the ICES divisions/sub-areas in which the catches were made;

* the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species transferred to and/or from other vessels since the previous transmission;

* the name and call sign of the vessel to and/or from which the transfer was made;

* the quantity (in kilograms live-weight) of each species landed in a port of the Community since the previous transmission;

* the name of the master.

5. Code to be used to indicate the species on board as mentioned in 1.4 above:

Alfonsinos ( Beryx spp.), // ALF

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), // PLA

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), // ANE

Angler/Monk (Lophius spp.), // MNZ

Argentine (Argentina silus), // ARG

Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama), // POA

Basking shark (Cetorinhus maximus), // BSK

Black scabbardfish ( Aphanopus carbo), // BSF

Blue ling (Molva dypterygia), // BLI

Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), // WHB

Bob shrimp (Xyphopenaeus kroyerii), // BOB

Cod (Gadus morhua), // COD

Common shrimp (Crangon crangon), // CSH

Common squid (Loligo spp.), // SQC

Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), // DGS

Forkbeards ( Phycis spp.), // FOR

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), // GHL

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), // HAD

Hake (Merluccius merluccius), // HKE

Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), // HAL

Herring (Clupea harengus), // HER

Horse-mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), // HOM

Ling (Molva molva), // LIN

Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), // MAC

Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.), // LEZ

Northern deep-water prawn (Pandalus borealis), // PRA

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), // NEP

Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii), // NOP

Orange roughy ( Hoplostethus atlanticus), // ORY

Other, // OTH

Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), // PLE

Pollack (Pollachius pollachius), // POL

Porbeagle (Lamma nasus), // POR

Redfish (Sebastes spp.), // RED

Red seabream ( Pagellus bogaraveo), // SBR

Roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris), // RNG

Saithe (Pollachius virens), // POK

Salmon (Salmo salar), // SAL

Sandeel (Ammodytes spp.), // SAN

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus), // PIL

Shark (Selachii, Pleurotremata), // SKH

Shrimp (Penaeidae), // PEZ

Sprat (Sprattus sprattus), // SPR

Squid (Illex spp.), // SQX

Tuna (Thunnidae), // TUN

Tusk (Brosme brosme), // USK

Whiting (Merlangus merlangus), // WHG

Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), // YEL

________________________

ANNEX IX LIST OF SPECIES OF THE NAFO REGULATORY AREA

Common name // Scientific name

Principal groundfish (except flatfish)

Atlantic cod

Haddock

Redfish

Atlantic redfish

Golden redfish

Silver hake

Red hake

Pollock (= saithe) //

Gadus morhua

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Sebastes spp.

Sebastes marinus

Sebastes mentella

Merluccius bilinearis

Urophycis chuss

Pollachius virens

Flatfish

American plaice

Witch flounder

Yellowtail flounder

Greenland halibut

Atlantic halibut

Winter flounder

Summer flounder

Windowpane flounder

Flatfish (NS) //

Hippoglossoides platessoides

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Limanda ferruginea

Reinhardtius hippoglossoides

Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Paralichthys dentatus

Scophthalmus aquosus

Pleuronectiformes

Other groundfish

American angler (= goosefish)

Atlantic searobins

Atlantic tomcod

Blue whiting

Cunner

Cusk (= tusk)

Greenland cod

Blue ling

Ling

Lumpfish (= lumpsucker)

Northern kingfish

Northern puffer

Eelpouts (NS)

Ocean pout

Polar cod

Roundnose grenadier

Roughhead grenadier

Sandeel (= sand lance)

Sculpin

Scup

Tautog

Tilefish

White hake

Wolffish (NS)

Atlantic wolffish

Spotted wolffish

Groundfish (NS) //

Lophius americanus

Prionotus spp.

Microgadus tomcod

Micromesistius poutassou

Tautogolabrus adspersus

Brosme brosme

Gadus ogac

Molva dypterygia

Molva molva

Cyclopterus lumpus

Menticirrhus saxatilis

Sphaeroides maculatus

Lycodes spp.

Macrozoarces americanus

Boreogadus saida

Coryphaenoides rupestris

Macrouris berglax

Ammodytes spp.

Myoxocephalus spp.

Stenotomus chrysops

Tautoga onitis

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Urophycis tenuis

Anarhichas spp.

Anarhichas lupus

Anarhichas minor

. . . .

________________________

ANNEX X AUTHORISED TOP-SIDE CHAFERS

ICNAF-type top-side chafer

A rectangular piece of netting attached to the upper side of a cod-end to reduce or prevent damage and complying with the following requirements:

a) the netting shall not have a mesh size less than that specified for the net itself;

b) the netting may be fastened to the cod-end only along the forward and lateral edges of the netting and shall be fastened in such a manner that it extends forward of the splitting strap no more than four meshes and ends not less than four meshes in front of the codline mesh; where a splitting strap is not used, the netting shall not extend to more than one-third of the cod-end measured from not less than four meshes in front of the codline mesh;

c) the number of meshes in the width of the netting shall be at least one and a half times the number of meshes in the width of the part of the cod-end which is covered, both widths being taken at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cod-end.

"Multiple flap" top-side chafer

Pieces of netting having in all their parts meshes the dimensions of which, whether the pieces of netting are wet or dry, are not less than those of the meshes of the net to which they are attached, provided that:

(i) each piece of netting:

(a) is fastened only by its forward edge across the cod-end at right angles to its longitudinal axis;

(b) is at least equal in width to the width of the cod-end (such width being measured at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cod-end at the point of attachment);

(c) is not more than 10 meshes long.

(ii) the aggregate length of all the pieces of netting so attached does not exceed two-thirds of the length of the cod-end.

Large mesh (modified Polish-type) top-side chafer

A rectangular piece of netting made of the same twine material as the cod-end, or of a single, thick, knotless twine material, attached to the rear portion of the upper side of the cod-end and extending over all or any part of the upper side of the cod-end, having in all its parts a mesh size twice that of the cod-end when measured wet and fastened to the cod-end along the forward, lateral and rear edges only of the netting in such a way that each mesh of the netting exactly coincides with four meshes of the cod-end.

________________________

ANNEX XI Minimum landing sizes

>TABLE POSITION>

ANNEX XII Minimum landing sizes of processed fish

>TABLE POSITION>

1 Lower size for green salted fish

________________________

ANNEX XIII Particulars to be contained in the logbook

Particulars // Code

Name of vessel

Nationality of vessel

Registration number of vessel

Port of registration

Type of fishing gear used (daily)

Type of fishing gear

Date:

- day

- month

- year

Position:

- latitude

- longitude

- statistical zone

Number of fishing operations per period of 24 hours (1)

Number of hours fishing with gear per period of 24 hours (1)

Name of species

Daily catches by species (in tonnes live weight)

Daily catches, per species, for human consumption

Quantities discarded daily per species

Place of transshipment

Date(s) of transshipment

Master's signature // 01

02

03

04

10

2 (2)

20

21

22

31

32

33

40

41

2 (2)

50

61

63

70

71

80

(1) Where two or more types of fishing gear are used in a given 24-hour period, separate records must be supplied for each type of gear.

(2) To be indicated together with one of the abbreviations listed in the second part of this Annex.

Standard abbreviations for the principal species in the NAFO area

>TABLE POSITION>

Standard abbreviations for fishing gear

Abbreviations // Fishing gear

OTB

OTB 1

OTB 2

OTM

OTM 1

OTM 2

PTB

PTM

GM

GNS

LL

LLS

LLD

MIS

NK // Bottom otter trawl (side or stern, not specified)

Bottom otter trawl (side)

Bottom otter trawl (stern)

Midwater otter trawl (side or stern, not specified)

Midwater otter trawl (side)

Midwater otter trawl (stern)

Bottom pair trawl (2 vessels)

Midwater pair trawl (2 vessels)

Gillnets (not specified)

Set gillnets

Longlines (set or drifting, not specified)

Longlines (set)

Longlines (drifting)

Miscellaneous fishing gear

Fishing gear not known

________________________

ANNEX XIV Prohibition on fishing in CCAMLR area

>TABLE POSITION>

ANNEX XV By-catch Catch Limits for new and exploratory fisheries in the Area of CCAMLR in 2002/03

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) Catch limit not specified

Rules for catch limits for by-catch species :

- Skates and rays : 5% of the catch limit for Dissostichus spp. or 50 tonnes, whichever is

greatest

- Macrourus spp. : 16% of the catch limit for Dissostichus spp.

- Other species : 20 tonnes per SSRU.

ANNEX XVI

>TABLE POSITION>

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Title of operation

Proposal for a Council Regulation fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required and amending Regulation 66/98.

2. Budget heading(s) involved

B7-800

3. Legal basis

Article 8 (4) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92

4. Description of operation

4.1. General objective

- maintain and develop the traditional activity of Community fishermen in Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian waters;

- supply the Community market;

- decrease the fishing effort in Community waters;

- establish the definitive fishing quotas to be granted to Norway in Greenland waters in order to balance the arrangements on mutual access fishing rights between the Community and Norway for 2003.

4.2. Period covered and arrangements for renewal

1 January to 31 December 2003

5. Classification of expenditure or revenue

5.1. Compulsory expenditure

5.2. Differentiated appropriations

6. Type of expenditure or revenue

Financial compensation paid for fishing possibilities in Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian waters and for supplementary catch possibilities offered by Greenland pursuant to Article 8 of the Fisheries Agreement between the EEC, on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the local Government of Greenland, on the other.

7. Financial impact

Agreement with Estonia : EUR 314.600

The financial compensation provided in Article 4 of the Agreement on Fisheries Relations between the European Community and the Republic of Estonia (EUR 314.600) has been negotiated on the basis of average landing prices for 2001 in Community ports in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to support the development of the Estonian fisheries sector.

Agreement with Latvia : EUR 203.560

The financial compensation provided in Article 4 of the Agreement on Fisheries Relations between the European Community and the Republic of Latvia (EUR 203.560) has been negotiated on the basis of average landing prices for 2001 in Community ports in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to finance Latvian Fish Fund and the development of bilateral and multilateral co-operation in the field of fisheries.

Agreement with Lithuania : EUR 401.522

The financial compensation provided in Article 4 of the Agreement on Fisheries Relations between the European Community and the Republic of Lithuania (EUR 401.522) has been negotiated on the basis of average landing prices for 2001 in Community ports in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to support the development of the Lithuanian fisheries sector. This amount shall be used for fisheries development, research, training and travel costs related to important events in the field of fisheries.

Greenland Agreement: Minimum amount: EUR 42.820.000

Maximum amount: EUR 43.095.427

The amount required to be committed in 2003 is calculated on the basis of a contribution of EUR369.70 per tonne of cod equivalent.

7.1. Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and total costs)

Agreement with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania:

>TABLE POSITION>

1 pm tonnes allocated in Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian waters, and pm tonnes transferred to Community waters

Total financial compensation: EUR 919.682 (rounded up by EUR 919.700)

Average price EUR/tonne: 1.405

Greenland Agreement:

Minimum amount:

0 tonnes of cod equivalent x 369.70 = EUR 0

Maximum amount:

745 tonnes of cod equivalent x 369.70 = EUR 275.427

8. Fraud prevention measures

The financial contribution granted by the Community is utilised by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to develop their fisheries sector in accordance with Article 4 of the agreement. The amount is administered by the Latvian National Board of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, and by the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania.

Under the Fisheries Agreement between the Community and Greenland, the financial contribution from the Commission is not subject to any specific provision as to the end use of funds.

9. Elements of cost-effectiveness analysis

Agreeement with Estonia:

The Community fleet in the Baltic Sea has been severely hit by reductions in catch possibilities. Any increase in fishing possibilities above current critical catch levels will contribute towards preventing the fleet, and connected industries and services ashore, from collapsing and disappearing. This will also avoid, to a certain extent, payments under lay-up schemes or social programmes.

Experience has taught us that the financial compensation, similar to that paid in previous years, has mainly been used by Estonia for the continued improvement of scientific research on fisheries and the training of fisheries managers and control activities. This has entailed improved scientific assessment and enforcement in the fishery zones of Estonia, and has contributed to a more rational exploitation of the stocks, to the benefit of all concerned in the Baltic Sea.

The expenses proposed are foreseen in the budgetary planning for the period concerned.

Agreement with Latvia:

The Community fleet in the Baltic Sea has been severely hit by reductions in catch possibilities. Any increase in fishing possibilities above current critical catch levels will contribute towards preventing the fleet, and connected industries and services ashore, from collapsing and disappearing. This will also avoid, to a certain extent, payments under lay-up schemes or social programmes.

Experience has taught us that the financial compensation, similar to that paid in previous years, has mainly been used by Latvia for the continued improvement of scientific research on fisheries and the training of fisheries managers and control activities. This has entailed improved scientific assessment and enforcement in the fishery zones of Latvia, and has contributed to a more rational exploitation of the stocks, to the benefit of all concerned in the Baltic Sea.

The expenses proposed are foreseen in the budgetary planning for the period concerned.

Agreement with Lithuania:

The Community fleet in the Baltic Sea has been severely hit by reductions in catch possibilities. Any increase in fishing possibilities above current critical catch levels will contribute towards preventing the fleet, and connected industries and services ashore, from collapsing and disappearing. This will also avoid, to a certain extent, payments under lay-up schemes or social programmes.

Experience has taught us that the financial compensation, similar to that paid in previous years, has mainly been used by Lithuania for the continued improvement of scientific research on fisheries and the training of fisheries managers and control activities. This has entailed improved scientific assessment and enforcement in the fishery zones of Lithuania, and has contributed to a more rational exploitation of the stocks, to the benefit of all concerned in the Baltic Sea.

The expenses proposed are foreseen in the budgetary planning for the period concerned.

Greenland Agreement:

The bilateral, mutual-access Agreement between the Community and Norway is managed on an annual basis, by calculating the balance between Community catch possibilities in Norwegian waters and Norwegian catch possibilities in Community waters for different species. This arrangement is variable annually according to the state of the different fish stocks concerned. For 2003, the arrangements with Norway are difficult to achieve due to the poor state of most of the key fish stocks in Community waters. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advises that the TAC for 2003 for stocks such as cod, haddock and saithe needs to be reduced further or maintain low in order to rebuild the stocks. This fact makes it difficult to compensate the access of Community vessels to Norwegian resources with Norwegian access to the poor Community resources.

These reasons make it necessary to compensate Norway with some of the catch possibilities that are available to the Community under the terms of its Fisheries Agreement with Greenland. In order to avoid jeopardising the conservation of fish stocks in Community waters whilst at the same time maintaining, to the extent possible, Member States' fishing activities, a purchase of supplementary fishing possibilities from Greenland is the only available means to achieve a balanced mutual access arrangement with Norway for 2003.

10. Administrative expenditure (Section III, Part A of the budget)

The proposal does not require new Commission staff or additional administrative costs.