Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending for the sixth time, Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 fixing for 2000 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

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 is required following decisions recently reached within the framework of the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission whereby the Republic of Poland has transferred 20000 tonnes of herring in the Baltic Sea to the Community and following agreement reached between the European Community, on behalf of Sweden, and the Republic of Poland whereby 2500 tonnes of sprat has been transferred to Sweden and within the Agreement on fisheries relations between the European Community and the Republic of Lithuania whereby 4000 tonnes of sprat has been transferred to the Community.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending for the sixth time, Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 fixing for 2000 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

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, paragraph 4,

[1] OJ L 389, 31.12.1992, p. 1

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [2],

[2] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) Within the framework of the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission, the Republic of Poland has transferred 20000 tonnes of herring in the Baltic Sea to the Community;

(2) An agreement has been reached between the European Community, on behalf of Sweden, and the Republic of Poland whereby 2500 tonnes of sprat in the Baltic Sea has been transferred to Sweden;

(3) Within the Agreement on fisheries relations between the European Community and the Republic of Lithuania, 4000 tonnes of sprat has been transferred to the Community;

(4) Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 fixing for 2000 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 [3] requires to be modified accordingly.

[3] OJ L 341, 31.12.1999, p. 1.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 is modified as follows:

1. In Article 3(3), the entry

Lithuania // EUR 546200

Is replaced by the entry

Lithuania // EUR 614200

2. The entries in the Annex shall replace the corresponding entries in Annex IA.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter 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

ANNEX

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Title of operation

Proposal for a Council Regulation amending, for the sixth time, Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 fixing for 2000 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;

* Supply the Community market.

4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal

1 January to 31 December 2000

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 granted by Lithuania

7. Financial impact

68,000 EUR

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

The financial compensation provided for in Article 4 of the Agreement on Fisheries Relations between the European Community and the Republic of Lithuania has been negotiated on the basis of average landing prices for 1998 in Community ports in the Baltic Sea. A deduction has been made for estimated fleet exploitation costs.

// SPRAT

Additional quota obtained (in tonnes)

Average landing prices 1998 (EUR/tonne) // 4,000

136

Market value (in EUR) // 544,000

Negotiated prices (percentage)

In EUR // 12.5%

68,000

Total financial compensation: 68,000 EUR Average price EUR/tonne:

8. Fraud prevention measures

The financial contribution granted by the Commission is utilised by Lithuania to develop their fisheries sector, in accordance with Article 4 of the Fisheries Agreement. The amount is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania.

9. Elements of cost-effectiveness analysis

9.1 Specific and quantified objectives; target population

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 Community 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.

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

9.2 Grounds for the operation

The fisheries policy is exclusive Community competence. The financial compensation for fishing possibilities granted by third countries, negotiated in accordance with the provisions laid down in bilateral fisheries agreements, has consequently to be paid out of the Community budget.

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

9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

The Commission receives monthly statistics on catches and landings. The utilisation of the contracted fishing possibilities is therefore assessed on a regular basis.

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

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