COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 06.06.1997 
COM(97) 258 final 
96/0160 (CNS) 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 
laying down certain technical 
measures for the conservation of fishery resources 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
During its Plenary Session of April 10, 1997, European Parliament adopted the report 
from the Committee on Fisheries on the proposal for a Council Regulation laying 
down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources (COM(96) 
296 - C4-0388/96-96/0160(CNS)). The report contains 30 amendments that were 
approved by Parliament. The Commission accepted 13 of these amendments. Pursuant 
to Article 189A(2) of the EC Treaty the Commission herewith presents an amended 
proposal to the Council. 
Amended proposal for a 
COIJNCTT REfiTTT ATTON (VC\ 
laying down certain technical 
measures for the conservation of fishery resources 
Original text 
Recital 6a (new) Amended text 
Article 8 (2) (d) (new) Whereas European Parliament on 25 October 
1996 adopted its resolution on the 
Communication from the Commission on the 
implementation of technical measures in the 
Common Fisheries Policy; 
it shall be constructed of knotless netting material 
or netting material with non-slip knots, and 
inserted in such a way that the meshes remain 
fully open at all times whilst fishing. 
Article l) (2) first subparagraph 
Vessels may carry on board or use towed nets of Vessels may carry on board or use towed nets of 
two different minimum mesh sizes, provided that 
one of these minimum mesh sizes falls within the 
range of 0 through 60 millimeters, and the other 
of these minimum mesh sizes falls within the 
range of 70 through 109 millimeters. two different minimum mesh sizes, provided that 
none of these nets have a minimum mesh size 
equal to or greater than 110 millimetres. 
Article 9 (2) second subparagraph 
In this case, and derogating from the provisions of 
Article 5, the minimum percentage of target 
species that must be retained on board shall be 
85%. This percentage shall apply to the target 
species as defined for the net or nets with the 
larger of the two mesh sizes that are being kept on 
board. In this case, and derogating from the provisions of 
Article 5, the minimum percentage of target 
species that must be retained on board shall be 
90%. This percentage shall apply to the target 
species as defined for the net or nets with the 
larger of the two mesh sizes that are being kept on 
board. 
Article 11(1) 
It is prohibited to carry on board or to use any 
towed net constructed wholly or in part of any 
type of mesh other than square mesh or diamond 
mesh. It is prohibited to carry on board or to use any 
towed net the cod-end of which is constructed 
wholly or in part of any type of mesh other than 
square mesh or diamond mesh. 
Article 16 
Sorting shall be carried out immediately after Sorting shall be carried out immediately after 
hauling. catches have been removed from the net(s). 
Article 21 (2) (a) 
herring, horse mackerel and mackerel, within a anchovy, herring, horse mackerel, mackerel and 
limit of 10% by weight of the total catches sardine, within a limit of 10% by weight of the 
retained on board of these species, total catches retained on board of these species, 
Article 21 (3) 
However, undersized anchovy, horse mackerel or 
mackerel caught for use as live bait may be 
retained on board, provided they are retained 
alive. However, undersized anchovy, horse mackerel, 
mackerel or sardine caught for use as live bait 
may be retained on board, provided they are 
retained alive. 
Article 27 (2) 
It is prohibited to retain on board tuna which are 
caught using drift nets in waters under the 
sovereignty or jurisdiction of Spain or Portugal in 
ICES sub-areas VIII, IX or X, or, in CECAF areas 
around the Canary Islands. It is prohibited to retain on board tuna which are 
caught using drift nets in waters under the 
sovereignty or jurisdiction of Spain or Portugal in 
ICES sub-areas VIII, IX or X, or, in CECAF areas 
around the Canary Islands and the Madeira 
Archipelago. 
Article 31 (I) (a) 
Article 31 (l)(b) 
Article 31 (3) To be deleted. 
To be deleted. 
Within the zones, and outside of the periods 
referred to in paragraph 1, it is prohibited to carry 
on board or to use any towed net with a minimum 
mesh size of less than 80 millimeters. Within the zones, and outside of the periods 
referred to in paragraph 1, it is prohibited to carry 
on board or to use any towed net with a minimum 
mesh size of less than 70 millimeters. 
Article 34 
To be deleted. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 258 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-246-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-20230-4 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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