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j_ COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(93) 663 final 
Brussels, 15 December 1993 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 
fixing management objectives and strategies for certain fisheries 
or groups of fisheries for the period 1994 to 1997 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
This proposal for a Council Regulation aims at setting out, for certain fisheries or groups of 
fisheries, management objectives and the strategies appropriate to their attainment for the 
period 1993 to 1997. This task falls exclusively within the competence of the Community and 
arises from obligations set out in Article 8(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of the Council 
of 20 December 19921. 
The proposal reflects the advice given repeatedly by scientists as regards rebuilding certain 
stocks which are in a very poor state, such as roundfish. However, the necessity of a 
piecemeal implementing of measures was also considered in order not to put excessive 
burdens on the fishing industry, allowing for a progressive adaptation to the new situation. 
For those stocks which are in a safer state, the objectives are to prevent an expected 
deterioration if fishing effort is allowed to grow beyond certain limits. The corresponding 
strategies are set in such a way that priority is given to a stability of fishing effort. In certain 
cases (fisheries for Nephrops), the strategy adopted should progressively lead to a direct 
monitoring of fishing effort. Whenever possible and desirable, a progressive implementation 
of management tools on a multiannual basis is also considered. 
In every case a special attention is payed to the protection of juvenile fish. This protection 
should be considered as an investment which will yield benefits in the mid term, when fish 
become adult and join the stock of spawners to contribute to replenish the fishable stock. 
A follow-up system to monitor the developments during the 4-year period is also proposed. 
This will allow to make adjustments of the strategies if it proves necessary to warrant the 
achievement of the objectives adopted for the period. 
1 O.J. No L389, 31.12.1992, p.l 
•tnlety/e/m/inr 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 
of December 1993 
fixing management objectives and strategies for certain fisheries 
or groups of fisheries for the period 1994 to 1997 
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 aquaculture1, and in particular Article 8(3) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament3, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee4, 
Whereas it is necessary to establish the principles and certain procedures of fishery 
management at the Community level, so that Member States can ensure the management of 
the fleets under their flag or jurisdiction; 
Whereas Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 requires the Council to formulate, in the 
light of the available scientific advice and, in particular, of the report prepared by the 
1 OJ No L 389, 31.12.1992, p. 1 
2 OJ No 
3 Opinion delivered on 
4 Opinion delivered on 
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Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, the conservation measures 
necessary to achieve the aims set out in Article 1 of that Regulation; 
Whereas Article 8 (2) and (3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 requires the Council, if it 
becomes necessary to restrict the exploitation rates for certain fisheries or groups of fisheries, 
to establish management objectives, on a multiannual basis, in relation to the specific nature 
of the resources concerned; whereas management strategies tailored to achieve those 
objectives should also be established by the Council; 
Whereas, in the case of fisheries targetting resources which are managed jointly with third 
countries, the Community must take into account the commitments entered into with them; 
Whereas the Community has signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 
which contains principles and rules relating to the conservation and management of the living 
resources of the sea; 
Whereas the present state of knowledge does not alow for further development of management 
measures on a multispecies basis; whereas the approch to pluriannual management giving the 
necessary flexibility to the fishing industry can be initiated in certain cases with appropriate 
control measures; 
Whereas, in accordance with Article 39(2) (b) of the Treaty, account should be taken of the 
need to effect the appropriate adjustments by degrees, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article J 
For certain fisheries or groups of fisheries, the management objectives and the management 
strategies by which they should be achieved, for the period 1994 to 1997, shall be as set out 
in Annexes I and II. 
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In the case of certain joint stocks for which management is agreed with third countries, those 
management objectives and strategies shall constitute the basis for a Community position 
during the relevant consultations on mutual fishing rights. 
Article 2 
The Commission shall report to the Council, before 31 October 1996, in the light of the 
scientific evidence then available, on the performance of the strategies as regards the degree 
of achievement of management objectives. 
Where appropriate, that report shall contain proposals to the Council for the updating of the 
strategies in order to ensure the achievement of the management objectives by 31 December 
1997. 
The Council shall decide upon those proposals before 31 December 1996 in accordance with 
Article 8(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92. 
Article 3 
This Regulation shall enter in force on the day of its publication in the OfficialJoumalofthe 
European Communities. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, December 1993. 
For the Council 
The President 
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ANNEX I 
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR CERTAIN FISHERIES OR GROUPS OF 
FISHERIES FOR THE PERIOD 1994 to 1997. 
n DEMERSAL FISHERIES IN REGION 2.* 
1.1. Cod and haddock in the North Sea * and saithe in the North Sea and in the Skagerrak and 
Kattegat : 
Objectives: a) reduce fishing mortality rates by 30% from its current level, and 
b) maintain or rebuild the spawning stock biomasses to 100 000 t (cod), 
100 000 t (haddock) and 100 000 t (saithe). 
1.2. Cod in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat: 
Objectives: a) reduce fishing mortality rates by 30% from its current level, and 
b) rebuild the spawning stock biomasses to 20 000 t (cod in the Skagerrak) and 
10 000 t (cod in the Kattegat). 
The definition of the ICES and CECAF areas referred to in this 
Regulation is given in Commission communications 85/C 347/05 (OJ 
No 347, 31.12.1985, p. 14) and 85/C 335/02 (OJ No C 335, 
24.12.1985) respectively 
For the purposes of this Regulation, the North Sea shall comprise 
ICES subarea IV and that part of ICES division Ilia which is not 
covered by the definition of the Skagerrak as given below: 
For the purposes of this Regulation, the Skagerrak is bounded on 
the west by a line drawn from the Hanstholm 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. 
For the purposes of this regulation, the Kattegat is 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 in the south by a line drawn from Hasenore 
to Gnibens Spids, from Korshage to Spodsberg and from Gilbjorg 
Hoved to Kullen. 
strateqy/r/en/mr 
1 J. Cod, haddock, saithe, and whiting in the West of Scotland (ICES subaiea VI): 
Objectives: a) reduce fishing mortality rates by 30% from its current level, and 
b) maintain or rebuild the spawning stock biomasses to 30 000 t (cod), 
45 000 t (haddock), 25 000 t (saithe) and 25 000 t (whiting). 
1.4. Cod and whiting in the Irish Sea (ICES division Vila): 
Objectives: a) reduce fishing mortality rates by 30% from its current level. 
b) maintain or rebuild the spawning stock biomassess to 8 000 t (cod) and 
10 000 t (whiting). 
1.5. Nephrops (all stocks): 
Objectives: a) prevent increases in fishing effort. 
1.6. Sole and plaice in the North Sea (ICES Su bare a IV): 
Objectives: a) achieve or maintain fishing mortality rates below 1.25 times the value of 
Fm«> and 
b) achieve or maintain spawning stock biomasses above 35 000 t (sole) and 
350 000 t (plaice). 
1.7. All other demersal stocks for which analytical assessments (of the ''type yield per 
recruit") can currentiy be carried out: 
Objectives: a) keep fishing mortality rates below 1.25 times the value of Fmax 
1.8. All other demersal stocks 
Objective: a) prevent fishing effort to increase 
5 
9trategy/r/«n/ar 
» PELAGIC FISHERIES IN REGION 2 
2.1. Sprat in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat: 
Objective: a) Achieve and consolidate a directed fishery on sprat with a by-catch of 
protected species lower than 10%. 
2.2. Western mackerel (as considered by ICES Advisoiy Committee for Fisheries Management 
(ACFM). This includes mackerel from ICES Divisions Vm a,b): 
Objective: a) keep the spawning stock biomass above 1 800 000 t 
23. North Sea herring: 
Objectives: a) maintain the spawning stock biomass SSB above 800 000 t„ and 
b) maintain fishing mortality rate below 0.4. 
2.4. Other herring stocks: 
Objectives: a) maintain or decrease fishing mortality rates below 0.4. 
2.5. Industrial fisheries in the North Sea (Subarea IV) and in the Skagerrak and Kattegat 
(ICES Division ma) 
Objectives: a) prevent increases in fishing effort. 
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3. PEMEftgAL FISHERIES IN REQIQN ? 
3.1. Hake 
Objective: a) reduce or maintain fishing mortality rates below 1.25 times the value of Fmax. 
b) increase and maintain the spawning stock biomass above its mean for the 
period 1978-1988. 
3.2. All other demersal stocks for which analytical assessments (of the 'type yield per 
recruit") can be carried out: 
Objectives: a) reduce or maintain fishing mortality rates below 1.25 times the value of Froax. 
*• PELVIC FISHERIES IN REQIQN ? 
4.1. Anchovy in ICES Subarea VIII 
Objective: a) keep the spawning stock biomass above 15 000 t. 
5 MEDITERRANEAN FISHERIES 
5.1. Anchovy 
Objective: a) prevent increases in fishing effort. 
6 DEEPWATER SPECIES IN AU. REGIONS 
6.1. Greenland halibut, orange roughy, grenadiers, sharks, redfish, scabbard fish and deepwater 
Crustacea. 
Objective: a) prevent increases in fishing effort. 
7 
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ANNEX II 
STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES SET OUT FOR THE 
PERIOD 1994-1997 
L Strategies applicable to roundfish (including hake) 
1.1. Establish an.uaj TACs corresponding to stepwise decreases in fishing mortality coherent 
with the target reduction expected at the end of the period, but at levels allowing for an 
increase in spawning stock biomass when needed. When good recent recruitments allow for 
it, reduce fishing mortality by maintaining the TAC in the former year. 
1.2. Adapt progressively, in the same stepwise fashion, the fishing effort exerted by the fleets 
exploiting the ressource as a target species. Reductions in fishing effort should be achieved 
by a combination of reductions in fishing capacity and fishing activity, but preferably by the 
former. Prevent, in all cases, fishing capacity to increase. 
1.3. Allocate quotas as finely as possibly, preferably by vessel. Distribute fishing permits in 
accordance with the quota available. 
1.4. Prevent the catch of juveniles of these species by increased mesh sizes, area and season 
closures. When allocating fishing possibilities to individual fleets, give preference to those 
using selective gear. Develop commercial strategies to discourage the consumption of 
juveniles. 
II. Strategies applicable to flatfish, mackerel and herring. 
II. 1. Fix annual TACs corresponding to status quo fishing mortality. Whenever this results in 
increased TAC, choose a constant TAC if a reduction in fishing mortality is needed. Annual 
fluctuations in TAC should be softened wherever possible by means of control measures 
allowing for inter-year flexibility. 
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11.2. Allocate quotas as finely as possibly, preferably by vessel. Monitor fishing activity. 
Prevent an increase in capacity. 
11.3. Prevent fishing in areas and/or seasons where/when spawners or juveniles concentrate 
and become more vulnerable. 
11.4. In the case of mackerel, fix a constant TAC at the current level. 
m. Strategies applicable to Nephrops fisheries. 
111.1. Fix a constant TAC by stock at current levels. Implement control regulations allowing 
transfers of quota (maximum: 10 %) between years. 
111.2. Allocate quotas as finely as possible. Closely monitor the levels of activity of the fleets 
by individual vessel. 
111.3. Promote selective fishing, particularly the use of separator devices to allow small fish 
to escape from the net. 
IV. Strategies to achieve and consolidate a fishery for sprat in the Skagerrak and Kattegat: 
IV. 1. Phase out (by annual steps of 10 000 t) the existing TAC for mixed clupeoids. Grant 
fishing permits for this particular fishery accordingly. 
rV.2. Monitor the sprat populations and their occurrence in concentrations isolated from other 
species. 
IV.3. Fix a TAC for sprat only when a clean fishery (50 % of sprat, less than 10 % of 
protected species) can be prosecuted. The level of the TAC should allow for increases of the 
stock. Allocate fishing permits accordingly. 
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V. Strategies applicable to industrial fisheries: 
V.l. Develop or improve sampling techniques to determine the composition by species of the 
industrial by-catch, even when it is unsorted on board. 
V.2. Allocate quotas of protected species to industrial vessels at levels corresponding to less 
than 10 % of their quota for industrial species. 
V.3. Instaurâtes system by which by-catches of protected species under TAC must be always 
declared and discounted from the quotas available. This should be done under the sampling 
framework developed under VI. 1) above. Whenever quotas for by-catch species are exhausted, 
by-catches will be discounted from the quota for the target species, using appropriate factors 
of equivalence and penalty indices. 
10 
strategy/r/en/mr 
KSN 0254-1475 
COM(93) 663 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-724-ENO 
ISBN 92-77-62878-2 
Offîce for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
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