ffifft,i& 
•fcïKws'f' COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(90)617 final 
Brussels, 10 December 1990 
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138' Proposal for a 
mUNICIL REQI1IATIQN (EEC) 
fixing catch possibilities for 1991 for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the 
Regulatory Area as defined in the NAFO Convention 
(presented by the Commission) 
1,-ïfc; 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
This proposal falls within the terms of the Community's International 
obligations In respect of the conservation of the living resources of 
the North-West Atlantic outside the fishing areas of the coastal states 
(NAFO Regulatory Area). 
On account of its longstanding dispute with Canada as a coastal state 
regarding the approach in principle to be adopted for drawing up a 
conservation policy, the Community was obliged, over the past years, to 
regulate the activities of the Community fleet Independently, by 
establishing autonomous TACs for most of the stocks. 
In order to finally reintegrate the Community fishing activities Into 
the NAFO conservation scheme and with a view to securing the rational 
management of resources In the NAFO area, the Community last year 
decided to reduce, for 1990, those TACs by about two thirds, on an 
average. In parallel, the Community started a series of discussions 
with Canada aiming at a constructive cooperation between the two 
parties In the future. 
The Parties agreed that the development of a stable relationship should 
be embodied in a comprehensive agreement covering 
scientific cooperation In evaluating all stocks occurring In the 
NAFO Regulatory Area; 
cooperation in terminating the fishing activities In the NAFO area 
of vessels from non-member countries; 
cooperation in improvement of inspection and control within the 
NAFO scheme; 
the negotiation on reopening of fishing possibilities in Canadian 
waters for Community fishermen; 
access to Canadian ports for Community vessels. 
Furthermore, the special relations arising from the economic and 
commercial cooperation agreement concluded In 1976 and those expected 
from the still existing 1981 long-term fisheries agreement constitute 
specific bases for evaluating the fishery relations to which the 
Community could reasonably lay claim for the fishing of stocks In this 
area of interest to both Parties, under the NAFO Convention to which 
both sides are Contracting Parties. 
As a consequence of the improving cooperation between the two Parties 
and taking Into account that the NAFO Scientific Council, following a 
Community request, has adopted the principle of offering a range of 
management options for the different stocks, the Community has voted at 
this year's Annual NAFO Meeting, In favour of eight out of ten TAC 
proposals for 1991. 
^ 
~ 2 -
It Is proposed, therefore, that full Implementation should be given to 
the recommendations of the NAFO Fisheries Commission concerning 
cod in divisions 3M and 3N0 
redflsh in division 3M 
American plaice in divisons 3M and 3LN0 
yellowtail In division 3LN0 
cape I in in division 3N0 
squid (I I lex) In subdivisions 3 and 4. 
In the case of the remaining stocks, 
redflsh In division 3LN 
witch In division 3N0 
cod in division 2J3KL 
It is proposed that, following objections raised to the NAFO quotas, 
autonomous TACs be fixed at levels approximating as closely as possible 
to the NAFO proposals, for the first two species. With regard to cod in 
zone 2J3KL, which is at the basis of the dispute between the Community 
and Canada, it is proposed that the differences in the two sides' 
evaluation of the scientific data should be reduced by lowering the 
catch level authorized for 1991 as against the already strongly reduced 
TAC fixed for 1990, so as to lay the groundwork for the convergence of 
management options towards a stock restoration threshold over a 
reasonable period of time. 
Such an approach might necessitate another reduction In the level of 
Community fishing activities in the NAFO Regulatory Area. On the other 
hand, by acting thus the Community Is not prejudicing Its position of 
principle regarding the scientific evaluation and the management of 
this straddling stock, but Is demonstrating Its willingness to continue 
an active cooperation process whereby the sacrifices necessary to 
ensure conservation would be shared. 
3 
COI'NUL. REGULATION (EEC) No 
of 
fixing catch possibilities for 1991 for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the 
Regulatory Area as defined in the NAFO Convention 
•THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, Whereas conservation efforts should be assessed on the 
basis of relevant scientific data so as to permit the 
implementation of conservation measures suited to the 
biological situation of stocks and their foreseeable 
development depending on the various options for 
exploiting them; 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 
25 January 1983 establishing a Community system for the 
conservation and management of fishery resources ('), as 
amended by the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal (2), 
and in particular Article 11 thereof, Whereas the present state of biological data as analysed by 
international scientific organizations and the conclusions 
which may be drawn therefrom should be taken as a basis 
for formulating choices regarding the management of 
stocks; 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) 
No 170/83, it falls to the Council to prepare, in the light 
of the available scientific advice and, in particular, of the 
report drawn up by the Scientific and Technical Fisheries 
Committee, the conservation measures necessary to achieve 
the aims set out in Article 1 of the said Regulation; 
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 Convention on Future Multilateral 
Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, 
hereinafter referred to as the NAFO Convention, was 
approved by the Council in its Regulation (EEC) 
No 3179/78 (3) and entered into force on 1 January 
1979; 
Whereas, in the framework of its wider international 
obligations, the Community participates in efforts to 
conserve iish stocks arising in international waters; Whereas the extent to which such stocks are fished by the 
fleets of the Member States should be viewed in the light of 
overall fishing activity and the contribution made hitherto 
by the Community towards their conservation should be 
taken into account; 
Whereas, in accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) 
No 170/83, it falls to the Council to establish the total 
allowable catches (TACs) by stock or group of stocks, the 
share available for the Community and also the specific 
conditions under which the catches must be made; 
Whereas, in order to ensure effective management, the 
TACs available for the Community in 1991 should be 
fairly allocated among the Member States in accordance 
with Article 4 of the said Regulation; 
Whereas the fishing activities covered by this Regulation 
are subject to the control measures provided for by Council 
Regulation (EEC) No 2241/87 of 23 July 1987 
establishing certain control measures for fishing 
activities (4) as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 
3483/88(5) and by Regulation (EEC) No 1956/88 of 9 
June 1988 adopting provisions for the application of the 
scheme of joint international inspection adopted by the 
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (£>), 
(') OJ NoL 24, 27. 1. 1983, p. J. 
(2)OjNoL302, 15.11.1985, p. 1. 
(3)0J No L 378, 31.12.1978, p. 1 6) OJ No 1. 207, 2V.7. 1987, p. 1. 
5) OJ No L 306, 11. 11. 1988, p. 2. 
& OJ No L 175, 6. 7. 1988, p. 1. 
{ 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: following the entry into force of this Regulation. This 
information shall include: 
Article 1 
Catches in 1991 of the species set out in Annex I by vessels 
flying the flag of a Member State in the Regulatory Area as 
defined in Article 1 (2) of the NAFO Convention shall be 
limited, within the parts of the Regulatory Area referred to 
in that Annex, to the quotas set out therein. 
Article 2 
In addition to complying with Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 of 
Regulation (EEC) No 2241/87, skippers shall enter in the 
logbook the information listed in Annex II. 
In complying with Article 9 of that Regulation, Member 
States shall also inform the Commission of catches of 
species not subject to quota. (a) name of vessel; 
(b) official registration number of the vessel assigned by the 
competent national authorities; 
(c) home port of the vessel; 
(d) name of owner or charterer of the vessel; 
(e) a declaration that the master has been provided with a 
copy of the regulations in force in the Regulatory 
Area; 
(f) the principal target species of the vessel while fishing 
within the Regulatory Area; 
(g) the sub-areas where the vessel will be expected to 
fish. 
Article 3 
Member States shall inform the Commission of all vessels 
flying their flag which intend to engage in fishing or in the 
processing of sea-fish in the area referred to in Article 1 
at least 30 days before the intended commencement of such 
activity or, as the case may be, not later than the 20th day Article 4 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1991. 
It shall apply until 31 December 1991. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member 
States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
The President 
r 
ANNEX I 
Species 
Cod 
Cod 
Cod Stcick 
Geographical region 
North-west Adantic 
North-west Atlantic 
North-west Adantic Zone 
NAFO 2 J - 3 KL 
NAFO 3 M 
NAFO 3 NO Meinltcr Mate 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Porrugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Porrugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total |9">| quori 
(lonncn) 
6 970 
7 255 
1 140 
11'330 
305 
27 000 
605 
1 855 
260 
2 540 
1 205 
6 465 
10 
4 155 
66 
780 
5 . 
5 016 
£ 
Stock 
Specie* 
Atlantic redfish 
Atlantic redfish 
American plaice Geographical repion 
North-west Atlantic 
North-west Atlantic 
North-west Atlantic Zone 
NAFO 3 M 
NAFO 3 L.N 
NAFO 3 M Member State 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Porrugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 199-1 quota 
(tonnes) 
7 750 
6 000 
350 
7-
Species 
American plaice 
YeUowtail 
flcxxder 
Witch .. 
flounder Stock 
Geographical region 
North-west Atlantic 
North-west Atlantic 
North-west Atlantic Zone 
NAFO 3LNO 
NAFO 3 LNO 
NAFO 3 NO Member State 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Porrugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member Stales 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 199-1 quota 
(tonnes) 
328 
140 
1 000 
i 
Stock 
Species 
Capclin Geographical region 
North-west Atlantic Zone 
NAFO 3 NO 
Squid North-west Adantic NAFO subzoncs 3 + 4 Member State 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Porrugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 1991 quota 
(tonnes) 
EEC total 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Available for Member States 
EEC total 750 
15 000 
? 
AN NI: S il 
Items of information 10 appear in the log-book 
Information 
Vessel name 
Vessel nationality 
Vessel registration number 
Registration port 
Type of gear used (daily) 
Type of gear 
Date: 
— day 
— month 
— year 
Position: 
— latitude 
— longitude 
— statistical area 
Number of hauls during the 24-hour period (2) 
Number of hours gear-fished during the 24-hour period (2) 
Species names 
Daily catch of each species (tonnes live-weight) 
Daily catch of each species for human consumption in the form of fisli 
Daily catch of each species for reduction 
Daily discard of each species 
Placc(s) of transhipment 
Date(s) of transhipment 
Master's signature Code 
01 
02 
03 
04 
10 
20) 
20 
21 
22 
31 
32 
33 
40 
41 
2 (') 
50 
61 
62 
63 
70 
71 
80 
(') Codes to be completed by one of the items of information Riven in the second part of this Annex. 
(2) When two or more types of gear arc used in rhc same 24-hour period, records should be separate for chc different types 
Standard FAO abbreviations for main species 
Abbreviation 
ALE 
ARC 
BUT 
CAP 
CAT 
COD 
CRA 
CRU 
DOG 
FLW 
FLX 
GHL 
CRC 
GRO 
HAD 
FLAL 
HER 
HKR 
HKS 
HKW 
rNV 
LOB 
MAC Species Abbreviation 
Alcwifc 
Atlantic argentine 
Atlantic butterfish 
Capelin 
Wolffish (= catfish) 
Adantic cod 
Crabs 
Crustaceans 
Dogfish 
Winter flounder 
Flatfish (not specified) 
Greenland halibut 
Greenland cod 
Groundfish (not specified) 
Fladdock 
Atlantic halibut 
Atlantic herring 
Red hake 
Silver hake 
White hake 
Shellfish (not specified) 
Northern lobster 
Atlantic mackerel MEN 
MIX 
MOL 
PEL 
PLA 
POK 
RED 
RNG 
SAL 
SAU 
SCA 
SHA 
SI IR 
SKA 
SQU 
SWO 
SWX 
TUN 
URC 
USK 
VFF 
WIT 
YEL Species 
Atlantic menhaden 
Mixed species 
Molluscs 
Pelagic fish (not specified) 
American plaice 
Pollock ( = saithe) 
Atlantic redfish 
Roundnose grenadier 
Atlantic salmon 
Atlantr saury 
Sea scallops 
Sharks 
Shrimps 
Skate (not specified) 
Squid 
Swordfish 
Seaweed 
Tuna 
American sea urchin 
Cusk ( = rusk) 
Finfish (not specified) 
Witch flounder 
YeUowtail flounder 
AO 
H-
Standard 1 AC) abbreviations for gear 
Abbreviations 
OTB 
OTB 1 
OTB 2 
OTM 
OTM 1 
OTM 2 
PTB 
PTM 
SDN 
SSC 
SPR 
SB 
PS 
GN 
GNS 
GND 
LL 
LLS 
LLD 
LHP 
LHM 
LTL 
FIX 
FPN 
FPO 
FWR 
DRB 
DRH 
HAR 
MIS 
NK Gear 
Bottom otter trawl (side or stern not specified) 
Bottom otter trawl (side) 
Bottom otter trawl (stern) 
Midwatcr otter trawl (side or stern not specified) 
Midwatcr otter trawl (side) 
Midwatcr otter trawl (stern) 
Bottom pair trawl (two boats) 
Midwatcr pair trawl (two boats) 
Shrimp trawl (now included in bottom otter trawl categories) 
Danish seines 
Scottish seines 
Pair seine (two boats) 
Beach seines 
Purse seines 
Ciillncts (not specified) 
Gillncts (set) 
Ciillncts (drift) 
Longllnes (set or drift not specified) 
Longlines (set) 
Longlines (drift) 
Mandlincs and pole-lines 
I landlines and pole-lines (mechanized) 
Troll lines 
Traps (not specified) 
Uncovered pound nets 
Covered pots and fyke nets 
Barriers, fences, weirs, etc. 
Boat dredges 
Hand dredges (e.g. rakes and tongs) 
Harpoons 
Miscellaneous gear 
Gear not known 
COMPETITIVENESS ANP EMPLOYMENT IMEÀCX. STATEMENT 
The object of this measure is to maintain traditional fishing 
possibilities for Community fishermen In the Northwest Atlantic area. 
The fishery takes place in International waters outside the 200 mile 
EEZ of coastal states within the framework of the Northwest Atlantic 
Fisheries Organization - NAFO - and therefore no licence fees are paid 
by the undertakings, which makes the fisheries more profitable. 
] "" L'objet de cette mesure est de maintenir des possibilités de pèche 
traditionnelles pour les pêcheurs de la Communauté opérant dans les 
eaux du Nord-Ouest Atlantique. Les pêcheries sont réalisées dans des 
j eaux Internationales en-dehors des zones économiques exclusives de 200 
I ; milles des états côtiers dans le cadre de l'Organisation de Pêche de 
j l'Atlantique Nord-Ouest - OPANO - et par conséquent, les entreprises ne 
! -; * doivent pas payer de redevances de licences, ce qui rend les pêcheries 
îVv plus rentables. 
AUSWIRKUNGEN AUF WETTBEWERBSFXHIGKEIT UNP BESCHXFTIGUNG 
Gegenstand dleser MaGnahme 1st es, die tradltlonellen Flscherel-
môglIchkelten fQr Fischer der Gemelnschaft Im Geblet des 
NordwestatlantIks aufrechtzuerhalten. Die Flscherel flndet In Inter­
nationa len Gewàssern auGerhalb der excluslven 200-Mellen-
Wirtschaftszone der KQstenstaaten Im Rahmen der FIscherelorganlsatIon 
fUr den NordwestatlantIk - NAFO - statt, weshalb die Unternehmen kelne 
LlzenzgebUhren zu zahlen haben, elne Tatsache, die die Flscherel 
rentabler gestaltet. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(90) 617 final 
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ISBN 92-77-67121 1 
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