COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 08.04.1997 
COM(97) 139 final 
97/ 0013 (CNS) 
Proposal for a 
ÇQUNCH, REGULATION (JSC) 
laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the 
waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound 
(codified version) 
(presented by the Commission) 

EXPIANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. In the context of a people's Europe, the Commission attaches great importance to 
simplifying and clarifying Community law so as to make it clearer and more accessible 
to the ordinary citizen, thus giving him new opportunities and the chance to make use 
of the specific rights it gives him. 
This aim cannot be achieved so long as numerous provisions that have been amended 
several times, often quite substantially, remain scattered, so that they must be sought 
partly in the original instrument and partly in later amending ones. Considerable re­
search work, comparing many different instruments, is thus needed to identify the 
current rules. 
For this reason a consolidation of rules that have frequendy been amended is also 
essential if Community law is to be clear and transparent 
2. On 1 April 1987 the Commission therefore decided to instruct its staff that all legis­
lative measures should be consolidated after no more than ten amendments, stressing 
that this was a minimum requirement and that departments should endeavour to con­
solidate at even shorter intervals the texts for which they were responsible, to ensure 
that the Community rules were clear and readily understandable. 
3. The Conclusions of the Presidency of the Edinburgh European Council (December 
1992) confirmed this, stressing the importance of legislative consolidation as it offers 
certainty as to the law applicable to a given matter at a given time. 
It must be undertaken in full compliance with the normal Community legislative pro­
cedure. 
Given that no changes of substance may be made to the instruments affected by legis­
lative consolidation. Parliament, the Council and the Commission have agreed, by an 
interinstitutional agreement dated 20 December 1994, that an accelerated procedure 
may be used for the fast-track adoption of codification instruments. 
4. The purpose of this proposal (l) for legislative consolidation of Council Regula­
tion (EEC) No 1866/86 of 12 June 1986 laying down certain technical measures for 
the conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the 
Sound is to undertake official codification of this type. The new regulation will super­
sede the various regulations incorporated in it (2); their content is fully preserved, and 
they are brought together with only such formal amendments as are required by the 
codification exercise itself. 
5. This legislative consolidation proposal was drawn up on the basis of a preliminary 
consolidation, in ail the official languages, of Regulations (EEC) No 1866/86 and the 
instruments amending it, carried out by the Office for Official Publications of the 
European Communities, by means of the data-processing system referred to in the 
conclusions of the European Council meeting at Edinburgh. Although the articles 
have been given new numbers, the old numbering has been retained in the margin for 
ease of reference; the correlation between the old and new numbers is shown in a 
table set out in Annex VI, Part A to the consolidated Regulation. 
(*) Entered in the legislative programme for 1996. 
(2) See Part B of Annex VI. 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 
of... 
laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the waters 
of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia­
ment (*), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and So­
cial Committee (2), 
1) Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 of 12 
June 1986 laying down certain technical measures for 
the conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the 
Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound (3) has been fre­
quently and substantially amended; whereas for reasons 
of clarity and rationality the said Regulation should be 
consolidated; 
2) Whereas, under Articles 2 and 4 of Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a 
Community system for fisheries and aquaculture (4), the 
Council is responsible for adopting, in the light of the 
available scientific advice, the conservation measures 
necessary to ensure the rational and responsible exploita­
tion of living marine aquatic resources on a sustainable 
basis; whereas, to that end, the Council may lay down 
technical measures concerning fishing gear and the ways 
in which it is used; 
3) Whereas it is necessary to establish the principles and 
certain procedures for laying down the said technical 
measures at Community level so that each Member 
State can manage the fishing activities carried on in the 
maritime waters within its jurisdiction or under its sover­
eignty; 
4) Whereas the accession of the Community to the Conven­
tion on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Re­
sources in the Baltic Sea and the Belts, as amended by 
the Protocol to the Conference of the Representatives of 
the States Parties to the Convention and hereinafter re­
ferred to as 'the Gdansk Convention', was approved by 
Council Decision 83/414/EEC (5); 2250/95 
1866/86 
(adapted) 
() 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) OJ No C.... 
OJ No C.... 
OJ No L162,18.6.1986, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by 
Regulation (EC) No 1821/96 (OJ No L 241,21.9.19%, p. 8). 
OJNoL389,31.12.1992, p. 1. 
OJ No L 237, 26. 8.1983, p. 4. 
5) Whereas the Gdansk Convention entered into force with 
respect to the Community on 18 March 1984 and the 
Community accepted all the rights and obligations of 
Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germany as laid 
down by the Gdansk Convention; 
6) Whereas the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commis­
sion, set up by the Gdansk Convention, has adopted, 
since it was established, a body of measures for the con­
servation and management of fishery resources in the 
Baltic Sea and has, by its letters of 20 September 1985, 
8 December 1986, 21 December 1987, 29 October 1988, 
20 September 1993, 20 September 1994 and 11 Sep­
tember 1995, notified the contracting parties of certain 
recommendations to modify those technical measures; 
7) Whereas the Gdansk Convention provides that the Com­
munity must give effect to the said recommendations in 
the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound, 
subject to the objection procedure laid down in Article 
XI of the Convention; 
8) Whereas the most effective means of minimizing catches 
of small fish is to prohibit fishing in those areas where 
they are heavily concentrated, 4. 
+ 
4. 
+ 
3. 
+ 
3. 
+ 
3. 
+ 
5. 
+ 
4. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
2250/95 
(adapted) 
1866/86 
2244/87 
2178/88 
887/89 
2250/95 
1821/96 
2250/95 
(adapted) 
2156/91 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article 1 
Definition of the geographical area 
1. This Regulation concerns the taking and landing of 
fishery resources occurring in the waters of the Baltic Sea, 
the Belts and the Sound bounded to the west by a line 
drawn from Hasenore Head to Gniben Point, from Kor-
shage to Spodsbjerg and from Gilbjerg Head to the 
Kullen. It does not apply to waters within the baselines. 
2. It applies to: 
— Community fishermen in the geographical area de­
scribed in paragraph 1; 
— all fishermen in the waters of this area which lie 
under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member 
States. 
3. The geographical area is divided into 11 subdivisions 
numbered 22 to 32 which are described in Annex I. 
Article 2 
Ban on fishing for certain species in certain geographical 
areas during certain periods 
1. It shall be prohibited to retain on board the following 
species of fish which have been taken in the waters and 
during the periods listed below: 1866/86 
Species Waters Period of prohibition 
Flounder (Platichihys subdivision 26 1 February to 30 April 
flesus) 
Flounder subdivision 28 and 29 1 February to 30 April 
south of latitude 
59*3CN 
Flounder subdivision 32 1 February to 30 June 
Female Flounder subdivision 22 except 1 February to 30 April 
for the geographical 
area described in 
Annex II 
Plaice (Pleuronectes subdivision 26 1 February to 30 April 
platessa) 
Plaice subdivisions 27, 28 and 1 February to 30 April 
29 south of latitude 
59*30^ 
Female Plaice subdivision 22 except 1 February to 30 April 
for the geographical 
area described in 
Annex II and subdivi­
sions 24 and 25 (adapted) 
887/89 - Art 1 (1) 
Species Waters Period of prohibition 
Turbot (Psetta maxima) subdivisions 22, 24, 25 1 June to 31 July 
and 26 
Brill (Scophthalmus subdivisions 22, 24, 25 1 June to 31 July 
rhombus) and 26 
2. By way of derogation from the provisions of para­
graph 1, by-catches of flounder and plaice in fishing for 
cod, taken during the periods of prohibition referred to in 
that paragraph, may be retained on board within a limit of 
10 % by weight of the total catch of cod on board the 
vessel. 
Article 3 
Minimum fish sizes 
1. A fish shall be regarded as undersized if it is smaller 
than the minimum size specified in Annex III for the 
species and waters in question. 
2. The size of a fish shall be measured from the tip of 
the snout, with mouth closed, to the extreme end of the 
tail fin. 
3. Fish smaller than the minimum size, even where such 
fish are part of a by-catch, shall not be retained on board 
or be transhipped, landed, transported, processed, pre­
served, sold or stored, displayed or offered for sale. They 
must be returned to the sea, if at all possible while still 
alive, immediately after being taken. 
4. By way of derogation from paragraph 3, undersized 
cod may be kept on board within a limit of 5 % by weight 
of the cod catch on board. 
5. The by-catch of cod taken when fishing for herring 
and sprat shall not exceed 10 % of the total weight of the 
catch. Of this by-catch of cod, no more than 5 % of under­
sized cod shall be kept on board. 
Article 4 
Determination of by-catch percentage 
1. The percentage of the by-catches referred to in Ar­
ticle 2 (2) shall be measured as a proportion by weight of 
the total quantity of cod on board after sorting or of all 
cod in the hold or on landing. 887/89 - Art. 1 (1) 
1866/86 
2250/95 - Art. 1 (2) 
2250/95 - Art. 1 (3) 
1866/86 
2. The percentage of the by-catches referred to in Ar­
ticle 3 (4) shall be measured as a proportion by weight of 
the total quantity of fish on board after sorting or of all 
fish in the hold or on landing. 
3. Detailed rules for the determination of percentage by-
catches may be adopted in accordance with the procedure 
referred to in Article 13. 
Article 5 
Minimum mesh size 
1. It shall be prohibited to use or to tow any trawl, Dan­
ish seine or similar net having meshes of a smaller size 
than those laid down in Annex IV for the waters, species 
or group of species of fish concerned. 
2. It shall be prohibited to use anchored floating nets or 
drift nets having meshes of a smaller size than those laid 
down in Annex IV for salmon fishery. 
3. It shall be prohibited to use gill nets having meshes 
of a smaller size than those laid down in Annex IV for the 
waters, species or groups of species of fish concerned. 
Article 6 
Measurement of mesh size 
1. During the inspection of nets, meshes shall be 
measured using a flat gauge which is 2 mm thick and made 
of durable material that will retain its shape. It shall have 
several parallel-edge sides connected by intermediate 
tapering sides each with a taper of 1 cm in 8 cm or shall 
have tapering sides only, with the same taper as indicated 
above. The gauge shall be inscribed on its surface with the 
width in millimetres both on the parallel-sided section, 
where one exists, and on the tapering section. In the case 
of the latter, the width shall be inscribed every 1 mm in­
terval, and the indication of the width shall appear at reg­
ular intervals. 1866/86 
887/89 - Art. 1 (2) 
1866/86 
2250/95 - Art. 1 (4) 
2. To measure the size of a mesh, the gauge shall be 
inserted by its narrowest extremity into the mesh opening 
in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the net so as 
to measure the long axis of the mesh when stretched diag­
onally lengthwise. The gauge shall be inserted into the 
mesh opening with manual force until it is stopped at the 
tapering edges by the resistance of the mesh. The size of 
an individual mesh shall be the width of the gauge at the 
point where the gauge is stopped. 1866/86 
3. The mesh size of a net shall be the average size of at 
least one series of 20 consecutive meshes in the direction 
of the long axis of the net, chosen at random. Meshes less 
than 10 meshes and within 50 cm from lacings, ropes or 
codline shall not be measured. This distance shall be 
measured perpendicular to the lacings, ropes or codline 
with the net stretched in the direction of that measure­
ment 
4. The meshes of a net shall be measured only when the 
net is wet 
5. An individual mesh shall not be considered under­
sized if the section of the gauge corresponding to the mini­
mum size listed in Annex IV for the species, waters and 
type of net concerned, passes easily through it. 
Article 7 
Attachments to nets 
1. By way of derogation from Article 5 (1) it shall be 
permitted to attach to the outside of the lower half of the 
codend of any trawl, Danish seine or similar net, any can­
vas, netting or other material which has the purpose of 
preventing or reducing wear. Such material shall be at­
tached along the forward and lateral edges of the codend 
only. 
2. By way of derogation from Article 5 (1), it shall be 
permitted to attach to the outside of the codend and the 
lengthening piece a strengthening bag. A strengthening bag 
is a cylindrical piece of netting completely surrounding the 
codend and the lengthening piece. It may be made of 
either the same or heavier material as the codend or 
lengthening piece. The mesh size of the strengthening bag 
shall be at least twice as large as that of the codend except 
that its minimum mesh size shall not be less than 80 mm. 
A strengthening bag may be attached at the following 
points: 
(a) at its forward edge; and 
(b) at its rear edge; and, either 
(c) laced circumferentially to the codend and the 
lengthening piece around one row of meshes; or 
(d) laced longitudinally along a single row of meshes. 
3. By way of derogation from Article 5 (1), it shall be 
permitted to use in trawls, Danish seines and similar nets a 
non-return net or flapper which has a mesh size smaller 
than that of the codend. 
The flapper may be attached either inside the codend or in 
front of the codend. 1866/86 
2178/88 - Art 1 (2) 
1866/86 
The distance from the point of forward attachment of the 
flapper to the rear end of the codend shall be at least 
three times the length of the flapper. 
Article 8 
Use of gear 
1. Gear that may not be used within a certain geo­
graphical area or during a certain period shall be stowed 
away on board in such a manner that it is not ready for 
use in the prohibited area or during the prohibited period. 
Reserve gear shall be stowed away separately and in such 
a manner that it is not ready for use. 
2. Fishing gear shall be considered not ready for use if: 
— in the case of trawls, Danish seines and similar nets, 
(a) the trawl boards are made fast to the inner or 
outer side of the bulwark or the gallows; and 
(b) sweep lines or warps are unshackled from the 
trawl boards or weights; 
— in the case of salmon-fishing gear, 
(a) the nets are stowed under a lashed cover; 
(b) the lines and hooks are kept in closed boxes; 
— in the case of purse seines, the main or bottom wire 
is unshackled from the seine. 
3. It shall be prohibited, throughout the year, to fish 
with any trawl, Danish seine and similar net in the geo­
graphical area bounded by a line joining the following 
coordinates: 
54*23'N 
54* 14' N 
54* 17' N 
54* 24' N 
54* 27' N 
54* 23' N 14' 35' E 
14* 25' E 
14* 17' E 
14* 11' E 
14' 25' E 
14* 35' E. 
4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, during fish­
ing for cod, only gear authorized for fishing for cod or 
gear with a larger mesh size than the sizes laid down in 
Annex IV may be allowed to be kept on board. If there is 
gear on board that is not authorized for fishing for cod, 
the landing of cod shall be prohibited. 1866/86 
2156/91 - Art 1 
2250/95 - Art 1 (5) 
(adapted) 
Article 9 
Restrictions on fishing for salmon and sea trout 
1. It shall be prohibited, in fishing for salmon (Salmo 
salar) or sea trout (Salmo trutta): 
— to use drifting or anchored nets from 15 June to 30 
September in the waters of subdivisions 22 to 28, 29 
south of 59* 30" N and 32, 
— to use drifting or anchored nets from 1 June to 15 
September in the waters of subdivisions 29, 30 and 31 
north of 59* 3C N, 
— to use drifting lines and anchored lines from 1 April 
to 15 November in the waters of subdivisions 22 to 
31, 
— to use drifting lines and anchored lines from 1 July to 
15 September in the waters of subdivision 32. 
The area of prohibition during the closed season is beyond 
four nautical miles measured from the baselines, except in 
subdivision 32 and the area east of longitude 22* 3C E 
(Bengtskâr lighthouse) inside the Finnish fishery zone 
where fishing with drift!ines and anchored lines is prohib­
ited from 1 July to 15 September. 
2. It shall be prohibited, in fishing for salmon (Salmo 
salar) or sea trout (Salmo trutta): 
— where fishing is conducted using anchored floating 
nets and drift nets, to use more than 600 nets at 
once per vessel, the length of each net not exceeding 
35 metres measured in the gear's headrope. In addi­
tion to the number of nets permitted for fishing, not 
more than 100 reserve nets may be kept on board, 
— where fishing is conducted by means of drifting lines 
or anchored lines, to use more than 2 000 hooks at 
once per vessel. 
Hooks on drifting lines and anchored lines shall have a 
minimum distance between the point and the shaft of at 
least 19 mm. 
In addition to the number of hooks permitted in fishing, a 
maximum of 200 reserve hooks may be kept on board. 
General Provisions 
Article 10 
1. It shall be prohibited to fish directly for cod and flat­
fish (Pleuronectidae) with the intention of landing them for 
purposes other than human consumption. 2178/88 - Art 1 (3) 
1821/96 - Art 1 (1) 
2178/88 - Art 1 (3) 
1866/86 
10 
2. Explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances may 
not be used for the purpose of catching fish. 
3. It shall be prohibited to use anchored or drifting gear 
without marking it with buoys or other identification 
marks. 
4. It shall be prohibited to release exotic species into the 
Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound or to fish for exotic 
species and sturgeon, unless authorized by the rules 
adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in 
Article 13 and with the obligations arising from the 
Gdansk Convention. Exotic species are defined as those 
which do not occur naturally in the Baltic Sea, the Belts 
and the Sound. 
Article 11 
This Regulation shall not apply to fishing operations con­
ducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigations 
which are carried out with the permission and under the 
authority of the Member State or Member States con­
cerned and of which the Commission and the Member 
State or Member States in whose waters the research is 
carried out have been informed in advance. 
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs caught for the purposes 
specified in the first paragraph may be sold, stored, dis­
played or offered for sale provided that: 
— they meet the standards laid down in Annexes II and 
HI and the marketing standards adopted pursuant to 
Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 
3759/92 (!), or 
— they are sold directly for purposes other than human 
consumption. 
A vessel conducting any of the operations referred to in 
the first paragraph must carry on board an authorization 
issued by the Member State whose flag the vessel is flying. 
Article 12 
This Regulation shall not apply to fishing operations car­
ried out during the course of artificial restocking or trans­
plantation of fish, crustaceans or molluscs. 
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs caught for the purposes set 
out in the first paragraph may not be sold for human con­
sumption in contravention of the other provisions of this 
Regulation. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
(adapted) 
2178/88 - Art 1 (4) 
Article 13 
1. Member States may take measures for the conserva­
tion and management of stocks where such measures con­
cern: 
(!) OJ No L 388,31.12.1992, p. 1. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
11 
(a) strictly local stocks of value only to the fishermen of 1866/86 
the relevant Member State; or 
(b) conditions or procedures designed to limit catches by 
technical measures: 
(i) supplementing those defined in Community fish­
eries regulations; or 
(ii) going beyond minimum requirements set out in 
such regulations, 
provided that such measures are applicable solely to the (adapted) 
fishermen of the Member State concerned, are compatible 
with Community law and consistent with the common fish­
eries policy or with obligations under the Gdansk Conven­
tion. 
2. The Commission shall be informed of any draft for 
the introduction or amendment of national technical 
measures early enough to make its comments. 
If within one month after such notification the Commission 
so requests, the Member State concerned shall suspend the 
entry into force of the planned measures for three months 
from the date of notification to enable the Commission to 
rule within this time limit on the compatibility of the 
measures with the provisions of paragraph 1. 
Where the Commission finds, in a decision of which it 
must inform the other Member States, that a planned 
measure does not comply with the provisions of paragraph 
1, the Member State concerned may not implement the 
measure without making the necessary changes. 
The Member State concerned shall communicate without 
delay to the other Member States and the Commission the 
measures adopted, where appropriate after making the 
necessary changes. 
3. The Member States shall supply to the Commission, 
on its request, all information needed for the assessment 
of whether the national technical measures comply with 
the provisions of paragraph 1. 
4. At the initiative of the Commission or on a request (adapted) 
from any Member State, the question of whether a nation­
al technical measure implemented by a Member State 
complies with the provisions of paragraph 1 may be re­
ferred to the Management Committee for examination in 
accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 
3760/92, and a decision may be taken in accordance with 
the procedure laid down in Article 18 of that Regulation. 
Where such a decision is taken, the third and fourth sub­
paragraphs of paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis. 
5. Where the Commission finds that a measure notified 
does not comply with the provisions of paragraph 1, it 
shall adopt a decision, within not more than one year from 
the date of notification of the measure, to the effect that 
the Member State must terminate or amend the measure 
within a time limit which the Commission shall indicate. 
The provisions of the fourth subparagraph of paragraph 2 
shall apply mutatis mutandis. 
12 
6. Measures concerning aquaculture and fishing from the 
shore shall be notified by the Member State to the Com­
mission for information purposes only. 
Aquaculture' shall be taken to mean the farming of fish, 
crustaceans or molluscs in salt or brackish water. 1866/86 
Article 14 
Detailed rules for the application of this Regulation shall 
be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 18 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92. (adapted) 
Article 15 
Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 is hereby repealed 
References to the said Regulation shall be construed as 
references to this Regulation and should be read in ac­
cordance with the correlation table set out in Part A of 
Annex VI. 
Article 16 
This Regulation enters into force on the twentieth day 
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of 
the European Communities. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly 
applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
The President 
13 
——^——mmi i y.i^ 
y47V7V£AT/ 
SUBDIVISIONS OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA 
REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1 
Subdivision 22 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from Hasenpre Head 
(56* 09' N, 10" 44' E) on the east coast of Jutland to Gni-
ben Point (56* 01' N, 11° 18' E) on the west coast of Zea­
land; then along the west coast and south coast of Zealand 
to a point situated at longitude 12* 00' E; from there, due 
south to the island of Falster; then along the east coast of 
the island of Falster to Gedser Odde (54* 34' N, 
11* 58' E); then due east to longitude 12* 00' E; then due 
south to the coast of Germanv: then in a south-westerlv 
direction along the coast of Germanv and the east coast of 
Jutland as far as the point of departure. 
Subdivision 23 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from Gilbjerg Head 
(56*08'N, 12* 18'E) on the north coast of Zealand to 
Kullen (56* 18' N, 12* 28' E) on the coast of Sweden; then 
in a southerly direction along the coast of Sweden to the 
Falsterbo lighthouse (55* 23' N, 12* 50* E); then through 
the southern entrance to the Sound to the Stevns light­
house (55* 19' N, 12° 28' E) on the coast of Zealand; then 
in a northerly direction along the east coast of Zealand as 
far as the point of departure. 
Subdivision 24 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from the Stevns light­
house (55* 19^, 12* 28'E) on the east coast of Zealand 
through the southern entrance to the Sound to the Falster­
bo lighthouse (55* 23' N, 12* 507 E) on the coast of Swe­
den; then along the south coast of Sweden to the Sand-
hammaren lighthouse (55* 24' N, 14* 12' E); from there to 
the Hammerodde lighthouse (55* 18' N, 14* 47' E) on the 
north coast of Bornholm; then along the west and south 
coasts of Bornholm to a point situated at longitude 
15* 00' E; from there due south to the coast of Poland; 
then in a westerly direction along the coasts of Poland and 
Germany to a point situated at longitude 12* 007 E; then 
due north to a point situated at latitude 54* 34' N and lon­
gitude 12* OO7 E; then due west to Gedser Odde 
(54*34'N, 11*58'E); from there, along the east and 
north coast of the island of Falster to a point situated at 
longitude 12* 00' E; from there, due north to the south 
coast of Zealand; then in a westerly and northerly direc­
tion along the west coast of Zealand as far as the point of 
departure. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
2250/95 - Art 1 (6) 
(adapted) 
2250/95 - Art 1 (6) 
(adapted) 
14 
Subdivision 25 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the 
east coast of Sweden at latitude 56* 3ff N and proceeding 
due east to the west coast of the island of Ôland; then, 
after passing south of the island of Ôland to a point on 
the east coast situated at latitude 56* 30v N, due east to 
longitude 18* Off E; then due south to the coast of Poland; 
then in a westerly direction along the coast of Poland to a 
point situated at longitude 15* Off E; then due north to the 
island of Bornholm; then along the south and west coasts 
of Bornholm to the Hammerodde lighthouse (55* 18' N, 
14* 47' E); then to the Sandhammaren lighthouse 
(55* 24' N, 14* 12' E) on the south coast of Sweden; then 
in a northerly direction along the east coast of Sweden as 
far as the point of departure. 
Subdivision 26 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point situated 
at latitude 56* 3ff N and longitude 18* Off E and proceed­
ing due east to the west coast of the former USSR; then in 
a southerly direction along the coasts of the former USSR 
and Poland to a point on the Polish coast situated at longi­
tude 18* Off E; then due north as far as the point of de­
parture. 
Subdivision 27 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the 
east mainland coast of Sweden situated at latitude 
59* 41' N and longitude 19* Off E and proceeding due 
south to the north coast of the island of Gotland; then in 
a southerly direction along the west coast of Gotland to a 
point situated at latitude 57* Off N ; then due west to lon­
gitude 18* Off E; then due south to latitude 56"3ffN; 
then due west to the east coast of the island of Ôland; 
then, after passing south of the island of Ôland, to a point 
on its west coast situated at latitude 56* 3ff N; then due 
west to the coast of Sweden; then in a northerly direction 
along the east coast of Sweden as far as the point of de­
parture. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
15 
Subdivision 28 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point situated 
at latitude 58* 3ff N and longitude 19" Off E and proceed­
ing due east to the west coast of the island of Saaremaa; 
then, after passing north of the island of Saaremaa, to a 
point on its east coast situated at latitude 58* 3ff N; then 
due east to the coast of the former USSR; then in a south­
erly direction along the west coast of the former USSR to 
a point situated at latitude 56* 3ff N; then due west to 
longitude 18* Off E; then due north to latitude 57* Off N; 
then due east to the west coast of the island of Gotland; 
then in a northerly direction to a point on the north coast 
of Gotland situated at longitude 19* Off E; then due north 
as far as the point of departure. 
Subdivision 29 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the 
east mainland coast of Sweden situated at latitude 
60° 30' N and proceeding due east to the mainland coast 
of Finland; then in a southerly direction along the west 
and south coasts of Finland to a point on the south main­
land coast situated at longitude 23* Off E; then due south 
to latitude 59* Off N; then due east to the mainland coast 
of the former USSR; then in a southerly direction along 
the west coast of the former USSR to a point situated at 
latitude 58* 3ff N; then due west to the east coast of the 
island of Saaremaa; then, after passing north of the island 
of Saaremaa, to a point on its west coast situated at lati­
tude 58' 3ff N; then due west to longitude 19* Off E; then 
due north to a point on the east mainland coast of Sweden 
situated at latitude 59* 41' N; then in a northerly direction 
along the east coast of Sweden as far as the point of de­
parture. 
Subdivision 30 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the 
east coast of Sweden situated at latitude 63*3ffN and 
proceeding due east to the mainland coast of Finland; then 
in a southerly direction along the coast of Finland to a 
point situated at latitude 60* 3ff N; then due west to the 
mainland coast of Sweden; then in a northerly direction 
along the east coast of Sweden as far as the point of de­
parture. 1866/86 
(adapted) 
(adapted) 
16 
Subdivision 31 1866/86 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the 
east coast of Sweden situated at latitude 63* 3ffN and 
proceeding, after passing north of the Gulf of Bothnia, to 
a point on the west mainland coast of Finland situated at 
latitude 63* 3ff N ; then due west as far as the point of 
departure. 
Subdivision 32 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from a point on the (adapted) 
south coast of Finland situated at longitude 23* Off E and 
proceeding, after passing east of the Gulf of Finland, to a 
point on the west coast of the former USSR situated at 
latitude 59* Off N; then due west to longitude 23* Off E; 
then due north as far as the point of departure. 
17 
ANNEX II 
BOUNDARIES OF CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS 
REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 2 
Boundaries of the geographical areas, in the Sound, the 
Great Belt and the Little Belt, as regards fishing for fe­
male flounder and female plaice: 
— Falsterbo lighthouse — Stevns lighthouse 
— Jungshoved — B0genaessand 
— Hestehoved lighthouse — Maddes Klint 
— Skelby church — Flinthorne Odde 
— Kappel church — Gulstav 
— Ristingehale — /43r0hale 
— Skjoldnaes — P0ls Huk 
— Christian X bridge, S0nderborg 1866/86 
2244/87 - Art 1 (5) 
18 
ANNEX III 
MINIMUM SIZES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3 (1) 
c . .... Minimum Speaes Waters *^ sac 
Cod (Gadus morhua) all subdivisions south of lati- 35 cm 
tude 59*30^ 
Flounder (Platichthys flesus) subdivisions 22 to 25 25 cm 
subdivisions 26 to 28 21 cm 
subdivisions 29 and 32 south 18 cm 
of latitude 59* 3ff N 
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) subdivisions 22 to 25 25 cm 
subdivisions 26 to 28 21 cm 
subdivisions 29 and 32 south 18 cm 
of latitude 59* 3ff N 
Turbot (Psetta maxima) subdivisions 22 to 32 30 cm 
Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) subdivisions 22 to 32 30 cm 
Eel (Anguilla anguilla) subdivisions 22 to 32 35 cm 
Salmon (Salmo salar) subdivisions 22 to 32 60 cm 2250/95 - Art 1 (7) 
(adapted) 
19 
ANNEX IV 
MINIMUM MESH SIZE PROVIDED FOR IN ARTICLE 5 
Species 
Cod (Gadus 
morhua) 
Flatfish (Pleuro­
nectidae) 
Herring (Clupea 
harengus) 
Sprat (Sprattus 
sprattus) subdivisions 22 
to 32 
subdivisions 22 
to 32 
subdivisions 22 
to 32 
subdivisions 22 
to 27 
subdivision 28 
subdivisions 29 
and 32 south of 
latitude 59*3ffN 
subdivisions 22 
to 32 
subdivisions 22 
to 27 
subdivisions 28 
and 29 south of 
latitude 59*3ffN 
subdivisions 30 
to 32 and subdi­
vision 29 north 
of latitude 
59*3ffN 
subdivisions 22 
to 32 iype of net 
gillnets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets (*) 
trawls, Danish 
seines, and simi­
lar nets 
trawls, Danish 
seines, similar 
nets and gillnets 
trawls, Danish 
seines, similar 
nets and gillnets 
gillnets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets (1) 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets 
trawls, Danish 
seines and simi­
lar nets Minimum mesh 
size. Length of 
long diagonal 
105 mm 
105 mm 
120 mm (2) 
120 mm (2) (3) 
110 mm 
100 mm 
110 mm 
105 mm (4) 
32 mm 
28 mm 
16 mm 
16 mm 2250/95 - Art 1 (8) 
(adapted) 
20 
Species 
Salmon (Salmo 
salar) Waters 
subdivisions 22 
to 32 Type of net 
anchored float­
ing nets and 
driftnets Minimum mesh 
size. Length of 
long diagonal 
157 mm 
(*) Nets fitted with devices such as exit windows or structures that comply with 
the provisions of Annex V, capable of guaranteeing a SO % retention length 
of not less than 38 cm. 
(2) Mesh size applicable to all meshes in the final 8 m of the codend, measured 
from the codline, the meshes being stretched according to the longitudinal 
centreline of the net 
(3) With the exception of subdivisions 22 and 23 where sole fishing is author­
ized with a mesh size not smaller than 90 mm. 
(4) With the exception of subdivisions 22 - 24 where normal trawls and Danish 
seines with a mesh opening of 90 mm are allowed. 2250/95 - Ait 1 (8) 
1821/96 - Art 1 (2) 
21 
ANNEX V 
SPECIAL SELECTIVITY DEVICES 
In order to guarantee the selectivity of trawls, Danish 
seines and similar nets with special mesh openings as re­
ferred to in Annex IV, the two models of exit windows 
below are authorized: 
Exit window (model 1) 
Two exit windows with plastic coated, fully opened dia­
mond meshes shall be attached to the codend of trawls 
and Danish seines in the cod fishery. The mesh opening 
shall be no less than 105 mm. The exit windows shall be 
attached with a separate piece of netting (between the or­
dinary diamond meshes and the meshes of the exit win­
dow). The mesh size of the separate netting shall be iden­
tical to the bar length of the exit window times the square 
root of two. 
The exit windows shall be attached on both sides of the 
codend, and the distance between the rear end of 
the codend and the window shall be 40 to 50 cm. The 
length of the window shall be 80 % of the total length of 
the codend and the height of the window shall be 50 cm. 
The window shall be mounted in a way that gives an open­
ing between the upper and lower seams of the window of 
15 to 20 cm. 
Exit window (model 2) 
Identification 
The windows shall be rectangular sections of netting in the 
codend. There shall be two windows in the codend. 
Size 
Each window shall have a minimum width of 45 cm along 
its entire length. Each window shall have a minimum 
length of 3,5 m measured along its sides (Figure 1 of Dia­
gram 2). 
Netting 
The meshes in the windows shall have a minimum size of 
105 mm. They shall be square meshes, i.e. all four sides of 
the window netting will be cut by all bars (Figure 2 of 
Diagram 2). The netting shall be mounted such that the 
bars run parallel and perpendicular to the length of the 
codend (Figure 2). The window width shall be eight open 
square meshes. The length shall be between 57 and 62 
square meshes (Figure 2 of Diagram 2). 
Location 
The codend shall be divided into upper and lower panels 
by selvedges running down the port and starboard sides 
(Figure 1 of Diagram 2). The two windows shall be lo­
cated in the lower panel, immediately adjacent to and be­
low the selvedges (Figure 1 of Diagram 2). The windows 
shall terminate a minimum of 2 m and a maximum of 
2,5 m from the codline. 2250/95 - Art 1 (9) 
22 
The forward end of the window shall be joined to eight 
meshes' width of the normal codend netting (Figure 3 of 
Diagram 2). One side shall join to the selvedge or be 
joined immediately adjacent to the selvedge and the other 
side shall be joined to the normal codend lower panel net­
ting following a straight all knots cut 
Mesh size in the whole codend 
All parts of the codend shall conform to a minimum mesh 
size of 105 mm. 2250/95 - Art. 1 (9) 
23 
Diagram 1 
(Exit Window-Model 1) 2250/95 - Art. 1 (9) 
50 cm 
15-20 cm 40-50 cm 
Diagram 2 
(Exit Window-Model 2) 
Figure 1 : Position of the square mesh windows in the codend 
A suggested specification 2250/95 - Art. 1 (9) 
lifting strop 
*=C 
0,3 m Windows 3,54 m 
0,3 m 1,8 m 
Square mesh windows are 0,48 m high 
Codend cross section 
4 meshes in selvedge 4 meshes in selvedge 
8 meshes for window 
of square meshes 
Figure 2 : Netting in the square mesh windows 
A suggested specification 2250/95 - Art. 1 (9) 
(adapted) 
Square mesh window 
8 x 59 square meshes 
60 mm half mesh 
0 4mm double polyetheicne 
107 mm inside mesh size 
All four sides reinforced with 
8 nun polypropylene rope 
26 
Selvedge Figure 3 : Inserting the window in the codend 
A suggested specification 
Forward end of codend ! 2250/95 - Art. 1 (9) 
(adapted) 
EEEEEEÏE) ) 
11111111) ill knots 
Square 
!—i r~i r~! mesh window 
H n . , n n ) 
) 
) all knots 354 cm 
stretched 
length 
1 
Rings for the lifting becket ; Codend 
j 100 meshes in 60 mm half mesh 
I 49 Vi meshes long (6 m) 
j 0 4mm double polyethelene 
! 107 mm inside mesh sire 
Lower panel 
Opening for square mesh windows 
8 meshes wide x 29% meshes long 
Codline Centre line of lower panel J 
4 , 27, mesh 
-.so cm 
29% mesh 
-354 cm 
2% mesh 
"-30 cm 
15 mesh 
-180 cm 
27 
ANNEX VI 
Part A 
CORRELATION TABLE 
Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 This Regulation 
Article 1 
Article 2 (1) 
Article 2 (la) 
Article 2 (2) 
Article 3 
Article 4 
Article 5 
Article 6 
Article 7 
Article 8 
Article 9 
Article 10 
Article 11 
Article 12 
Article 13 
Article 14 
Annex I 
Annex II 
Annex III 
Annex IV (a) 
Annex IV (b) 
Annex V Article 1 
Article 2 (1) 
Article 2 (2) 
Article 3 
Article 4 
Article 5 
Article 6 
Article 7 
Article 8 
Article 9 
Article 10 
Article 11 
Article 12 
Article 13 
Article 14 
Article 15 
Article 16 
Annex I 
Annex II 
Annex III 
Annex IV 
Annex V 
Annex VI 
28 
Part B 
Regulations amending Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 
No Official Journal 
page date 
CouncU Regulation (EEC) No 2244/87 of 23 July 1987 
CouncU Regulation (EEC) No 2178/88 of 18 Jury 1988 
CouncU Regulation (EEC) No 887/89 of 5 April 1989 
CouncU Regulation (EEC) No 2156/91 of 15 Jury 1991 
CouncU Regulation (EC) No 2250/95 of 18 September 1995 
CouncU Regulation (EC) No 1821/96 of 16 September 1996 L207 
L191 
L94 
L201 
L230 
L241 15 
7 
4 
1 
1 
8 29. 7.1987 
22. 7.1988 
7.4.1989 
24. 7.1991 
27. 9.1995 
21. 9. 1996 
29 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 139 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 11 14 01 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-133-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-17934-5 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
3o