Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as concerns fishing opportunities in Greenland waters

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 fixes the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of stocks applicable in Community waters and for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required for 2004. Amendments of the Regulation are required as a consequence of international Agreements.

The Fourth Protocol to the Fisheries Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Denmark and the Local Government of Greenland expires on 31 December 2006. However, according to Article 14 of the Protocol a Midterm Review was foreseen to be finalised by 30 June 2003.

The modified Protocol covers the period from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006. Though the financial contribution remains EUR 42,820,000 per year, there is now a clear distinction between the budget support in compensation for the fisheries possibilities; EUR 31,760,679 and the budget support for the structural reform of the fisheries policy; EUR 11,059,321.

The compensation for the fisheries possibilities is based on i.a. the following changes:

- An increase in quotas of 800 tonnes of Atlantic halibut, of 4,200 tonnes of Greenland halibut in Eastern waters, and of 4,000 tonnes of Shrimps in Western waters, in accordance with scientific advice;

- The introduction of a quota of 1000 tonnes of Snowcrab, in accordance with scientific advice;

- The introduction of a quota of 2,000 tonnes for all by-catches.

The necessary measures should be taken to implement the Agreement in Community legislation.

The Council is requested to adopt this proposal as soon as possible in order to allow fishermen to plan their activities for this fishing season.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as concerns fishing opportunities in Greenland waters

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy [1], and in particular Article 20 thereof,

[1] OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.

Whereas:

(1) In Council Regulation (EC) No 1245/2004 of 28 June 2004 on the conclusion of the Protocol modifying the Fourth Protocol laying down the conditions relating to fishing provided for in the Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community, on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the local Government of Greenland, on the other [2] fishing possibilities for the Community in Greenlandic waters are laid down. The necessary measures should be taken to implement the results of the Agreement.

[2] OJ L 237, 8.7.2004, p.1.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 of 19 December 2003 fixing for 2004 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 [3] should therefore be amended accordingly,

[3] OJ L 344, 31.12.3003, p. 1

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex IC to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Annex IC to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 is amended as follows:

a) The following entry shall be inserted before the entry concerning Roundnose grenadier in zone V, XIV (Greenland waters):

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

b) The entry concerning the species Cod in zone Greenland waters shall be inserted after the entry Cod in zone I, II b:

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

c) The entry concerning the species Atlantic halibut in zone V, XIV (Greenland waters) is replaced by the following:

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

d) The following entry shall be inserted after the entry concerning Northern prawn in zone V, XIV (Greenland waters):

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

e) The entry concerning the species Greenland halibut in zone V, XIV (Greenland waters) is replaced by the following:

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>

f) The following entry shall be added after the entry concerning Flatfish in zone Vb (Faroese waters):

>REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC>