Proposal for a Council Regulation amending, for the third 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
Date: 2000-06-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU waters, authorised catch, catch quota, fishery management, sea fish

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 05.06.2000
COM(2000) 338 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending, for the third 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

Council Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 fixes, among other stipulations, the fishing
opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish
stocks, applicable in Community waters for 2000. Among these fishing opportunities,
a TAC has been set for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay (ICES sub-area VIII) at a value
of 16000 t. This figure was adopted in the light of scientific advice indicating that the
spawning stock biomass in 2000 could be dangerously low;

Scientific knowledge on the stock size of anchovy in 2000 is expected to improve
greatly when new survey results have been analysed by the Scientific, Technical and
Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF). Furthermore, the long-term effects of
various management measures has also been studied by STECF and the basis for
scientific advice has improved since the TAC regulation was agreed in December
1999.

It is appropriate to create the opportunity for adjusting the TAC when the analysis of
new survey results are known,
in order to afford appropriate protection to the
spawning stock while not unnecessarily restricting catching opportunities.

Due to the need for very rapid action in this instance,
the
Commission be empowered to amend the TAC according to a pre-agreed rule which
is designed to meet objective of stock conservation and the need to avoid interruption
of fishing unless the stock is in danger.

is proposed that

it

is requested to adopt

The Council
in order to provide adequate
protection to the stock of anchovy and, if possible, to allow fishermen to utilise new
fishing opportunities and to continue fishing under appropriate conditions.

this proposal

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Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending, for the third 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 aquaculture1, and in particular
Article 8, paragraph 4,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 2742/19992 sets a TAC for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay
(ICES sub-area VIII) of 16000 t. This figure was adopted in the light of
scientific advice indicating that the spawning stock biomass in 2000 could be
dangerously low.

Improved scientific estimates of the spawning stock biomass will be provided
by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries not later
than 7 June 2000.

According to scientific advice, management action should prevent
the
spawning stock biomass to fall below 18000 t. If the spawning stock biomass
were considerably higher than this figure, a higher figure up until the historic
TAC of 33000 t may be established.

There is a need to adopt a swift decision following the new estimates of
spawning stock biomass. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Commission
revises the fishing possibilities in accordance with rules in the annex,

1

2

OJ L 389, 31.12.1992, p. 1.
OJ L 341, 31.12.1999, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No .../2000 (OJ L...,
....2000)

3

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No. 2742/1999 shall be modified as follows:

1.

The following article 3a is inserted

"Article 3a

1.

The Commission is hereby authorised to amend the fishing possibilities
of anchovy in ICES sub-area VIII set out in annex I D following the
estimate of spawning stock biomass at 1 May 2000 provided by the
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries and in
accordance with the rules set out in annex XV.

2. When amending the fishing possibilities, the allocation of additional
quantities to the quotas of the Member States concerned shall be in
conformity with the principle of relative stability.

3.

Notwithstanding the quota for anchovy in ICES sub-area VIII set out in
annex I D, if the estimate of spawning stock biomass at 1 May 2000
provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for
Fisheries is less than 18 000 t, the fishery shall be prohibited by the
Commission."

2.

The annex is inserted as annex XV.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following 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

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Annex

Spawning Biomass of Anchovy on 1 May
2000 as Evaluated by STECF (B)

increase in TAC (tonnes)

B greater than 36 000t

B between 18 000t and 36 000t

17 000

17000

*

(

-B

18000

)

18000

and rounded to the nearest 10t.

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