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Recitals 55 to 59 of that regulation read as follows: ‘(55) [International Council for the Exploitation of the Sea (ICES)] advice for 2021 indicates that the stocks of cod and whiting in the Celtic Sea are below the [biomass limit (Blim)]. Specific remedial measures were already taken for those stocks pursuant to [Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123 of 27 January 2020 fixing for 2020 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ 2020 L 25, p. 1)]. The purpose of those measures was to contribute to the recovery of the stocks concerned. The measures for cod aim at improving selectivity by making the usage of gear that has lower levels of by-catches of cod mandatory in the areas where cod catches are significant, thus decreasing the fishing mortality of that stock in mixed fisheries. The measures for whiting consist of technical modifications to characteristics of gear to decrease by-catches of whiting. In accordance with Article 8 of the Western Waters multiannual plan [established by Regulation 2019/472], where scientific advice indicates that the spawning stock biomass of any of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) of that plan is below (Blim), further remedial measures are to be taken to ensure the rapid return of the stock to levels above the level capable of producing [maximum sustainable yield]. In particular, those remedial measures may include suspending the targeted fishery for the stock concerned and the adequate reduction of fishing opportunities for those stocks or other stocks in the fisheries that have by-catches of cod or whiting. (56) The measures to reduce bycatches of gadoids are functionally linked to the [total allowable catches (TACs)] of species caught in mixed fisheries together with gadoids (e.g. haddock, megrims, anglerfish and Norway lobster), as, without those measures in place, TAC levels of target species should be reduced to ensure that gadoid stocks are able to recover. It is therefore proposed that those measures also be adopted for 2021, taking into account further assessment of those measures and work undertaken by the Member States of the North Western Waters. (57) In line with the regionalisation process of the CFP, the Member States of the North Western Waters have submitted a joint recommendation on a broader range of specific measures to reduce bycatches of cod and whiting in the Celtic Sea and adjacent areas based on the remedial measures that were in place in 2020. Additional selectivity measures aiming to reduce gadoid bycatches in the Irish Sea and West of Scotland are also included in that joint recommendation, based on similar measures that were in place in 2020. (58) The [Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)] considers that, overall, the proposed measures are more selective or at least as selective as the technical measures in Regulation [2019/1241], and the Commission is currently considering including those measures in a delegated act based on the joint recommendation submitted by the Member States having a direct management interest in the North Western Waters. (59) As those measures are more comprehensive and will apply on a more stable basis, the functionally linked technical measures should only apply in the absence of a delegated act adopted in accordance with Article 15(2) of Regulation [2019/1241] and amending Annex VI of that Regulation by introducing corresponding technical measures for the North Western Waters.’