Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament -  2006-08 Action plan for simplifying and improving the common fisheries policy
Date: 2005-12-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: common fisheries policy, consolidation of EU law, fishing regulations, simplification of legislation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 8.12.2005 
COM (2005) 647 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO  
THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

2006-08 ACTION PLAN FOR SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE COMMON 
FISHERIES POLICY 

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CONTENTS 

1. 

2. 

3. 

3.1. 

3.2. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 3 

SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE COMMON FISHERIES POLICY........... 3 

A METHODOLOGY FOR SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE CFP ............. 4 

A multiannual programme in agreement with the stakeholders................................... 4 

Concentrating efforts on simplifying the CFP ............................................................. 4 

SIMPLIFICATION INITIATIVES TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN 2006-08 ................. 5 

Conservation policy ..................................................................................................... 5 

The monitoring of fishing activities............................................................................. 5 

ANNEX 
CFP IN 2006-08 – SUMMARY SHEETS (7) 

MEASURES  PROPOSED  FOR  SIMPLIFYING  AND  IMPROVING  THE 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

Some  years  ago  the  European  Union  embarked  on  an  ambitious  strategy  for  improving  the 
legislative  environment  to  make  it  more  effective,  efficient  and  transparent  both  in  the 
interests of members of the public and to strengthen competitiveness, growth and sustainable 
development, contributing to the Lisbon targets. 

To achieve this, in June 2002 the Commission put forward an action plan for simplifying and 
improving  the  regulatory  environment1,  in  February  2003  a  major  programme  for  updating 
and  simplifying  Community  legislation2,  in  March  2005  a  communication  on  Better 
regulation  for  growth  and  jobs  in  the  European  Union3  and  finally  in  October  2005  a 
communication on Implementing the Lisbon programme: A strategy for the simplification of 
the regulatory environment4. 

In  view  of  this  latter  communication,  and  in  particular  of  the  rolling  programme  on 
simplification5,  the  Commission  is  setting  out  in  this  communication  the  simplification 
measures it plans to implement in the fisheries sector in the period 2006 to 2008 and calls on 
the  Member  States,  the  European  Parliament  and  the  parties  concerned  to  make  their 
contributions. 

2. 

SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE COMMON FISHERIES POLICY 

On the basis of discussions held at the Commission’s initiative on simplifying and improving 
the CFP6, the Council reached Conclusions7 calling on the Commission to continue its work 
and to present a multiannual action plan. 

Last  July  the  Commission  invited  the  Member  States  and  the  various  parties  concerned  to 
establish  priorities  for  simplifying  the  regulatory  environment  of  the  CFP  and  at  the  same 
time spell out, on a case-by-case basis, who should do what.  

In  order  to  simplify  and  improve  the  CFP,  in  the  light  of  all  earlier  initiatives  and  of  the 
consultations with the parties concerned, the Commission is: 

1 

2 
3 

4 

5 
6 

7 

Commission  Communication  on  an  Action  plan  for  Simplifying  and  improving  the  regulatory 
environment - COM(2002) 278 final, June 2002. 
Communication on Updating and simplifying Community legislation COM (2003) February 2003. 
Commission  Communication  to  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  -  Better  Regulation  for 
Growth and Jobs in the European Union COM(2005) 97, March 2005 
Communication from the Commission on Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: A strategy 
for the simplification of the regulatory environment COM (2005) 535, October 2005. 
See Annex 2 to the above Communication. 
Commission  Communication  to  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  on Perspectives  for 
simplifying and improving the regulatory environment of the CFP (COM(2004) 820, 15.12.2004) and 
Commission  staff  working  document  on  an Analysis  of  the  possibilities  of  simplification  and 
improvement  of the regulatory environment of the CFP and of its implementation, (SEC(2004) 1596, 
15.12.2004). 
Council Conclusions on the Commission communication ‘Perspectives for simplifying and improving 
the regulatory environment of the CFP’ - 8077/05 of 22 April 2005. 

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–  proposing  a  methodology  attuned  to  the  characteristic  features  of  the  common  fisheries 

policy (Point 3);  

–  indicating  the  initiatives  that  should,  as  a  matter  of  priority,  be  simplified  and 
improved by spelling  out, on a case-by-case  basis, the  simplifying measures to  be  taken 
(Point 4 and Annex). 

3. 

A METHODOLOGY FOR SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE CFP 

In order to launch the process of legislative and administrative simplification of the CFP and 
ensure its satisfactory operation, the Commission proposes drawing up a multiannual action 
plan (point 3.1) which must make it possible for simplifying efforts to be concentrated (point 
3.2). 

3.1. 

A multiannual programme in agreement with the stakeholders 

In  the  light  of  the  contributions  from  stakeholders  consulted  since  July  2005,  the 
Commission is proposing that simplification of the CFP be considered on the basis 
of an action plan covering the period 2006-08.  

This plan will specify for each of the areas to be simplified the measures that are to 
be taken, the actors who will be involved and when the measures are to be started. 

To  ensure  the  participation  of  all  the  relevant  parties  in  this  multiannual 
programme  for  simplifying  the  CFP,  the  Member  States,  the  European  Parliament 
and  the  fishing  industry  are  called  upon  make  observations  in  compliance  with  the 
existing procedures. 

The  Commission  will  keep  all  the  parties  concerned,  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Member States and the industry informed about the progress of the action plan. 

3.2. 

Concentrating efforts on simplifying the CFP 

The  simplification  of  the  CFP  must  benefit  firstly  fishermen  and  the  public 
administrations with responsibility for fisheries, both in the Member States and at 
Community level. 

The areas that are to be simplified comprise three categories of legislation: 

–  instruments  whose  review  has  already  been  started  and  for  which  certain 
simplifying principles have been implemented. These consist mainly of legislative 
initiatives  concerning  the  fisheries  sector  as  set  out  in  the  October  2005 
communication on the simplification programme;  

–  new  legislation to be drawn up  in  the  coming  years  for  which  the  objectives  set 

regarding simplification will be systematically observed;  

–  certain legislative instruments now in force which must however be simplified as 
a  matter  of  priority,  i.e.  those  on  which  the  Commission  considers  simplifying 

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efforts  need  to  be  concentrated  as  quickly  as  possible.  These  instruments  are 
included in point 4. 

4. 

SIMPLIFICATION INITIATIVES TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN 2006-08 

In  the  period  2006-08,  the  Commission  considers  that  the  simplification  of  the  CFP  must 
cover,  as  a  matter  of  priority,  certain  regulatory  provisions  concerning  the  measures  for 
the management and control of fishing activities.  

To  that  end  and  on  a  case-by-case  basis,  the  Commission  considers  it  essential,  with  due 
regard for the principle of proportionality, to:  

–  revise  the  body  of  Community  law  (acquis),  on  the  basis  of  the  methodology 

contained in the communication of October 2005; 

–  promote  clearer  legislative  texts  and  access  to  information  by  developing 
instruments tailored to the needs of fishermen and the administrators concerned; 

–  reduce the workload and restrictions on fishermen and on all the administrations 

concerned, including the costs imposed by legislation 8. 

4.1. 

Conservation policy 

With  regard  to  the  policy  for  conserving  fish  stocks,  after  consulting  the  Member 
States  and  the  industry  in  accordance  with  the  principles  set  out  above,  the 
Commission proposes that priority be given to simplifying legislation concerning: 

–  the management and conservation of certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, 
applicable in Community waters and, in the case of Community vessels, in waters 
subject to catch limitations (see Sheet 1: TACs/Quotas, fishing effort);  

–  measures  for  the  conservation  of  fish  stocks  through  technical  measures  for  the 
protection  of  juveniles  of  marine  organisms  (see  Sheet  2:  Technical  measures 
for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms); 

–  the  collection  and  management  of  data  needed  for  implementing  the  common 
fisheries policy (see Sheet 3: Collection and management of data for the CFP). 

4.2. 

The monitoring of fishing activities 

to  monitoring,  following  wide-ranging  consultations  with 

With  regard 
the 
stakeholders,  the  Commission  will  present  a  series  of  proposals  for  revising  the 
existing  provisions  in  particular  through  increased  use  of  computerisation  and 
automation  of  certain  procedures 
to  reduce  reporting  obligations 
in  order 
significantly. To achieve this and in particular to lighten the workload of fishermen 
and the fisheries administrations, the Commission considers that the simplification of 
control measures should concentrate on four areas in order to: 

8 

See  Communication  from  the  Commission  on  an  EU  common  methodology  for  assessing 
administrative costs imposed by legislation, COM(2005) 518, October 2005 

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–  adjust  all  the  legal  provisions  concerning  the  monitoring  of  fishing  activities 

(see Sheet 4: Monitoring – Body of legislation); 

–  computerise, where possible, and develop appropriate systems for improving the 
application of measures for the management and conservation of fish stocks (see 
Sheet 5: Monitoring – Computerisation); 

–  reduce  the  reporting  obligations  both  of  fishermen  and  of  the  administrations 

concerned (see Sheet 6: Monitoring – Reporting obligations); 

–  improve the management of fishing authorisations (see Sheet 7: Authorisations 

to fish outside Community waters).  

With  regard  to  legislation  on  fishing  and  the  regulatory  environment,  in  the  period 
2006–08,  in  accordance  with  its  strategy  for  better  lawmaking,  the  Commission  is 
proposing an action plan to simplify and improve the CFP.  

This plan will cover as a matter of priority the policy for the conservation of fish stocks 
and  the  monitoring  of  fishing  activities.  The  simplifying  measures  being  proposed  are 
described in detail in the attached document, according to the programming plan and in 
the terms set out in the summary sheets. 

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ANNEX 

MEASURES PROPOSED FOR SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE CFP IN 
2006-08 

SUMMARY SHEETS (7) 

SHEET 1: 

TACs/Quotas, fishing effort 

SHEET 2: 

Technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms  

SHEET 3: 

Collection and management of data for the CFP 

SHEET 4:  Monitoring – Body of legislation 

SHEET 5:  Monitoring – Computerisation 

SHEET 6:  Monitoring – Reporting obligations 

SHEET 7:  Monitoring - Authorisation to fish outside Community waters 

NB  

For each of the measures covered in the various sheets the following are shown: 

–  in the first column: the measures to be taken to simplify the existing regulatory framework 

and the administrative environment concerned; 

–  in  the  second  column:  for  each  measure,  the  programming  envisaged  with  details  of  the 

different actors involved in that measure; 

–  below  each  table:  a  list  of  the  instruments  to  be  simplified  together  with  reference 

documents necessary for considering simplification. 

Abbreviations: 

MS: Member State 

RAC: Regional Advisory Council 

ACFA: Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture 

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Simplifying measures 

Programming 

SHEET 1:  

TACs/QUOTAs, FISHING EFFORT 

the 
►2006–07,  by 
the 
Commission, 
Member States and the 
industry 
(RAC  and 
ACFA) 

Reform  of  existing  instruments  (see  ‘Legislation  to  be  simplified’ 

► 
below), mainly to: 
alter  the  structure  of  the  provisions  laying  down  conditions  for  the 
1) 
exploitation  of  fishery  resources  subject  to  catch  limitations,  in  particular  by 
separate  treatment  of  catch  limitations,  technical  measures,  measures  for  the 
management of fishing effort and control measures; 
target the decisions at uniform groups taking into account the scientific 
2) 
environment  when  drawing  up  institutional  and  administrative  opinions,  in 
particular by separating  measures aimed at Baltic fish stocks, or by separating 
provisions  concerning  the  results  of  negotiations  within  the  regional  fisheries 
organisations (for example NAFO);  
3) 
develop  multiannual  approaches,  notably  by  drawing  up  multiannual 
management  plans  such  as  those  that  exist  (cod,  Northern  and  Southern  hake) 
and  in  particular  for  the  sole  fisheries  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay  and  the  Western 
Channel, Baltic cod and sole and plaice in the North Sea. 

This reform will require in particular: 
► 
increased prior and early consultations (‘frontloading’);  
1) 
2) 
the improvement of drafting, in particular by making certain provisions 
clearer,  but  also  by  improving  consistency  with  provisions  under  other 
regulatory frameworks; 
the gradual elimination of reporting obligations that are unnecessary or 
3) 
of  limited  value,  notably  as  part  of  simplifying  initiatives  such  as  the  ones 
proposed under ‘Monitoring - Reduction of reporting obligations’ (see Sheet 6); 
4) 
improving the consistency of administrative obligations and restrictions 
on fishermen affected by TACs/Quotas; 

5) 
improving the coordination of control provisions, including through use 
of the new information technologies (IT) such as the Vessel Monitoring System 
(VMS)  and  other  initiatives  envisaged  as  part  of  the  simplifying  initiatives 
proposed in the context of ‘Monitoring – Computerisation’. (see Sheet 5) 

Legislation to be simplified: 

Instruments adopted by the Council: Annual Council Regulation fixing for (the coming year) 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  catch  limitations  are 
imposed  (e.g.  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  27/2005,  for  2005),  as  amended.  Council  Regulation 
(EC) No 847/96 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas. 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 2270/2004  fixing  for  2005  and  2006  the  fishing  opportunities  for 
Community fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks.  

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Instruments  adopted  by  the  Commission:  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  776/2005  adapting 
certain  fish  quotas  for  2005  pursuant  to  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  847/96  introducing  additional 
conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas. 

Reference documents: 

Communications  from  the  Commission:  (Draft)  Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the 
Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of the Conclusions of the Johannesburg 
Summit on sustainable development (planned for the first half of 2006). 

Non Paper: Changes in the structure and programming of the rules relating to TACs and quotas. 

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TECHNICAL MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF JUVENILES OF MARINE 
ORGANISMS 

Simplifying measures 

Programming 

SHEET 2:  

► 
Reform  of  existing  legislation  by  gradually  grouping  together 
technical  measures  by  fishery  (see  ‘Legislation  to  be  simplified  and  other 
reference documents’ below) mainly by: 
1) 
adjusting the structure of the legal rules relating to technical measures, 
in particular by separating general guiding principles from the purely technical 
aspects  to  produce  a  succinct  Council  regulation  and  Commission  regulations 
which are more detailed and easier to update. This recasting of the existing rules 
will mean that the basic rules are more stable and at the same time reduce the 
response time for tackling difficulties identified; 
developing  targeted  approaches  by  region,  or  fisheries,  according  to 
2) 
scales  to  be  adopted  on  a  case-by-case  basis,  to  take  account  of  special 
characteristics and provided the proposed measures are fair; 
providing  for  the  possibility  of  authorising  Member  States  to  adopt 
3) 
certain technical measures to be applied locally, in compliance with CFP rules 
as  defined  by  the  Community  legislator,  notably  by  imposing  obligations  to 
achieve results (e.g. by making it possible for the Member States concerned to 
authorise  the  use  of  gear  whose  selectivity  enables  the  goals  set  by  the 
Community legislator to be achieved fairly). 

consultation 
►2006 
the 
by 
phase, 
Commission, 
the 
Member States and the 
(RAC  and 
industry 
ACFA) 

►2007 
proposal 
phase:  adoption  by  the 
Commission, 
the 
Member States 

(for 

example, 

technical  measures 

This reform will require in particular: 
► 
increased prior consultations with the industry;  
1) 
2) 
the  use  of  assessments,  principally  to  ensure  monitoring  of  the 
effectiveness  and  implementation  of  the  measures  through  indicators  of  the 
performance 
of 
of 
selectivity/reduction of discards);  
3) 
clarification of certain existing provisions (for example, on mesh sizes, 
catch  rates,  etc.),  while  ensuring  greater  consistency  between  the  measures  by 
harmonising them with other provisions;  
the  production  of  leaflets  and  information  documents  for  fishermen, 
4) 
including  in  electronic  format,  containing  the  measures  in  accordance  with 
which  fishing  activities  may  be  carried  out.  The  Regional  Advisory  Councils 
could be involved in drawing up and disseminating this information; 
5) 
in particular regarding monitoring;  
6) 

greater consistency between administrative obligations and restrictions, 

the use of information technology for data input and management; 

terms 

in 

the  reduction  of  reporting  obligations  for  fishermen  and  national 

7) 
administrations (see Sheet 6).  

Legislation to be simplified: 

○  Instruments adopted by the Council: Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the conservation 
of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms, as 
amended, amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 602/2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 850/98 
as regards the protection of deepwater coral reefs aggainst the effects of trawling in an area north west 

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of Scotland, Council Regulation (EC) No 2723/1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the 
conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine 
organisms,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1459/1999  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  850/98  for  the 
conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine 
organisms,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  308/1999  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  850/98  for  the 
conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine 
organisms,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  973/2001  laying  down  technical  measures  for  the 
conservation  of  certain  stocks  of  highly  migratory  species,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  724/2001 
amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  850/98  for  the  conservation  of  fishery  resources  through  technical 
measures  for  the  protection  of  juveniles  of  marine  organisms,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1298/2000  amending  for  the  fifth  time  Regulation  (EC)  No  850/98  for  the  conservation  of  fishery 
resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms and Council 
Regulation (EC) No 812/2000 amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical 
measures  for  the  conservation  of  fishery  resources  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Regulation  (EC)  No 
850/98  for  the  conservation  of  fishery  resources  through  technical  measures  for  the  protection  of 
juveniles of marine organisms. 

Council Regulation (EC) No 1434/98 specifying conditions under which herring may be landed for 
industrial  purposes  other  than  direct  human  consumption.  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2549/2000 
establishing additional technical measures for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES 
Division VIIa) Council Regulation (EC) No 973/2001 laying down certain technical measures for the 
conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species. Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003 
on the removal of fins of sharks on board vessels. Council Regulation (EC) No 423/2004 establishing 
measures for the recovery of cod stocks, as amended (Corrigendum to Council Regulation (EC) No 
811/2004  establishing  measures  for  the  recovery  of  the  northern  hake  stock  and  Corrigendum  to 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  812/2004  laying  down  measures  concerning  incidental  catches  of 
cetaceans in fisheries and amending Regulation (EC) No 88/98) . 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Commission:  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  2056/2001 
establishing additional technical measures for the recovery of the stocks of cod in the North Sea and to 
the  west  of  Scotland,  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  494/2002  establishing  additional  technical 
measures  for  the  recovery  of  the  stock  of  hake  in  ICES  sub-areas  III,  IV,  V,  VI  and  VII  and  ICES 
divisions VIII a, b, d and e.  

Reference documents: 

○ Non Paper: Commission staff Non paper on Technical measures in the North Sea and the Atlantic.  

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COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DATA FOR THE CFP 

SHEET 3:  

Programming 

►  2006–07,  by 
Commission  and 
Member States 

the 
the 

Simplifying measures 

The  current  legal  framework  will  be  reduced  from  4  to  3  legal  texts 

► 
(see ‘Legislation to be simplified’ below), mainly in order to: 
adjust  the  current  legal  structure  by  laying  down  the  basic  rules  and 
1) 
general approach for each Council regulation, which will give greater stability 
to  the  regulatory  framework.  The  technical  and  administrative  aspects  will  be 
covered  by  a  Commission  implementing  regulation  and  will  basically  concern 
the  technical  requirements  for  the  collection  of  data.  These  adjustments  will 
make  possible  in  particular  a  response  to  the  new  requirements  so  that  better 
account  will  be  taken  of  interactions  between  fishing  and  the  environment, 
resulting  in  the  collection  of  data  by  fleet,  the  development  of  ecosystem 
approaches, the introduction of measures for managing eels, etc.;  
2) 
include the financing of the collection of data in the Council regulation 
on Community financing for the implementation of the CFP and in the area of 
the Law of the Sea. 

For this review of the current legal framework it is planned: 
► 
1) 
to  propose  a  multiannual  programme  for  reducing  the  administrative 
workload  of  Member  States  while  maintaining  their  technical  and  financial 
reporting obligation.  

2) 

to increase the use of information technology.  

Legislation to be simplified and other reference documents: 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Council:  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1543/2000  establishing  a 
Community framework for the collection and management of the data needed to conduct the common 
fisheries  policy.  COM(2005)  117,  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  establishing  Community 
financial measures for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and in the area of the Law 
of the Sea (SEC(2005) 426). 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Commission:  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  1639/2001 
establishing  the  minimum  and  extended  Community  programmes  for  the  collection  of  data  in  the 
fisheries  sector  and  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the  application  of  Council  Regulation  (EC) 
No 1543/2000.  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  1581/2004  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1639/2001 establishing the minimum and extended Community programmes for the collection of data 
in the fisheries sector and laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 1543/2000. 

○ Non Paper: Review of the rules on the collection of data 

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MONITORING – BODY OF LEGISLATION 

SHEET 4:  

Simplifying measures 

Programming 

Reform  of  the  current  body  of  legislation  on  monitoring  (see 

► 
‘Legislation to be simplified’ below), in particular to: 

1) 
revise  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2847/93  as  amended  seven 
times,  which  will  berepealed  and  replaced  by  the  general  provisions 
contained  already  in  Regulation  (EC)  No  2371/2003  (Chapter  V),  adopt 
several Commission regulations on implementing measures by topic and/or 
subject (see ‘Legislation to be simplified’ below); 

revise  Commission  regulations,  in  particular  the  arrangements 
2) 
regarding  tolerances,  conversion  rates,  the  use  of  live  weight,  periods  for 
the  transmission  of  various  documents,  especially  sales  notes,  access  to 
fishing  vessels  for  inspectors  and  the  rules  relating  to  the  transport  and 
inspection of landings of third country vessels. 

by 

►2007–08, 
Commission, 
Member  States 
sector 
(RAC 
ACFA) 

the 
the 
and 
and 

by 

►2007–08, 
Commission, 
Member  States 
(RAC 
sector 
ACFA) 

the 
the 
and 
and 

► 

This reform will require in particular: 

1) 
the  preparation  of  simple  explanatory  booklets  for  which  the 
Commission  will  endeavour  to  assist  the  Regional  Advisory  Councils  to 
play a supervisory role in this connection; 

prior  evaluations  of  administrative  procedures  developed  by  the 

2) 
Member States regarding monitoring, surveillance and inspection; 

►2006, 
Commission 

by 

the 

3) 
the  drawing  up  of  Commission  recommendations  and/or  codes  of 
practice,  mainly  to  facilitate  uniformity  in  the  practice  of  monitoring 
between Member States;  

►Commission 
Council 

and 

4) 

increased use of dataprocessing, IT and automation (see Sheet 5); 

greater consistency of international and Community obligations and 

5) 
also between the various rules of the CFP.  

by 

►2007 
the 
Commission,  Member 
States and the RAC 

Legislation to be simplified: 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Council:  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2371/2002  on  the 
conservation  and  sustainable  exploitation  of  fisheries  resources  under  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy 
(Chapter  V).  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2847/93  as  amended  seven  times;  Council  Regulation 
(EC)  No  2870/95;  Council  Decision  95/528/EC;  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2489/96;  Council 
Regulation (EC) No 686/97, Council Regulation (EC) No 2205/97; Council Regulation (EC) No 
2635/97; Council Regulation (EC) No 2846/98 and Council Regulation (EC) No 806/2003).  

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○ Instruments adopted by the Commission Commission Regulation (EC) No 356/2005 laying down 
detailed rules for the marking and identification of passive fishing gear and beam trawls. Commission 
Decision  of  7  October  2004  on  a  financial  contribution  from  the  Community  towards  the  purchase 
and fitting on board fishing vessels of electronic localisation devices in 2004 (see also earlier decisions 
on  a  financial  contribution  from  the  Community).  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  2244/2003 
laying down detailed provisions regarding satellite-based Vessel Monitoring Systems. 

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MONITORING – COMPUTERISATION 

SHEET 5:  

Simplifying measures 

Programming 

► 

Review of all relevant provisons, notably:  

►2006–07 

1) 
by  Council  decision  on  a  proposal  from  the  Commission  on 
electronic  recording  and  reporting  of  fishing  activities  and  on  means  of 
remote sensing. COM(2004) 724 final; 

►  Early  2006,  by  the 
Council 

2) 
by drawing up implementing regulations to accompany the Council 
regulation  referred  to  above,  which  must  systematically  offer  facilities  to 
fishermen  who  have  chosen  the  electronic  transmission  of  the  monitoring 
data that concern them subject only to the effectiveness of the monitoring. 
They  must  also  facilitate  data  exchanges  between  Member  States,  and 
between the Member States and the Commission; 

by  reforming  the  arrangements  for  the  management  of  fishing 
3) 
agreements  with  third  countries,  which  must  make  possible  the  electronic 
management  of  the  relevant  fishing  licences  and  of  catch  and  effort  data 
associated  with  those  activities.  (Council  Regulation  +  implementing 
regulation(s)). 

► 

This reform will require in particular: 

prior consultations with stakeholders, in particular in the competent 

1) 
national administrations and the industry. 

2) 
the  improvement  and  extension  of  ‘FAP’  (Fishing  authorisations 
and permits)  and ‘FEONT’ (Fishing effort on the net for Western Waters) 
IT applications.  

►2006, 
Commission 

by 

the 

by 
2006 
► 
Commission  and 
Member 

the 
the 
States

2006 
Commission, 
Member  States  and  the 
industry  

2006  Commission  and 
national administrations 

Legislation to be simplified: 

○ Instruments adopted by the Council: Proposal for a Council Regulation on electronic recording 
and reporting of fishing activities and on means of remote sensing (COM(2004) 724 final). 

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Simplifying measures 

Programming 

SHEET 6:  

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS  

► 
Review  of  the  entire  body  of  CFP  law  to  remove  provisions 
introducing  reporting  obligations  of  little  or  no  value  to  the  satisfactory 
implementation of the CFP, and as a matter of priority: 

regulations introducing obligations to report every three years (Article 

1) 
27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002);  

the reporting of serious breaches (Regulation (EC) No 1447/1999 and 

2) 
Regulation (EC) No 2740/1999);  

the  Compliance  Score  Board  (COM(2003)  344)  and  regulations  on 

3) 
TACs and quotas and technical measures. 

► 

1) 

The reduction of reporting obligations will be considered by: 

consulting the administrations concerned and the industry; 

2) 
redefining  the  information  to  be  sent  to  the  Commission  by  the 
Member States, in particular by examining the capacity of the Commission to 
use  the  reports  requested  and  to  ensure  that  the  results  are  returned  to  the 
Member States and/or the industry; 

altering the frequency of transmission of reports by the Member States 

3) 
to the Commission. 

4) 

the use of computerisation and automation. 

2006–07, 

► 
reporting 
linked to monitoring 

for 
obligations 

►  2006  to  2008,  to 
cover all other reporting 
the 
obligations, 
the 
Commission, 
Member  States  and  the 
industry 

by 

Legislation to be simplified: 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Council:  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2371/2002,  in  particular 
Article  27(4)  concerning  the  obligation  to  report  every  three  years  -  For  the  instruments  relating  to 
TACs  and  quotas  and  technical  measures,  see  the  relevant  sheets.  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1447/1999 establishing a list of types of behaviour which seriously infringe the rules of the common 
fisheries policy. 

○  Instruments  adopted  by  the  Commission:  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  2740/1999  laying 
down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1447/1999 establishing a list of 
types  of  behaviour  which  seriously  infringe  the  rules  of  the  common  fisheries  policy.  For  the 
instruments relating to TACs and quotas and technical measures, see the relevant sheets. 

Reference documents 

○  Communications  from  the  Commission:  COM(2003)  207  ‘Reporting  serious  breaches’  and 
COM(2003) 344 of 11 June 2003, ‘Compliance Scoard Board’. 

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AUTHORISATION TO FISH OUTSIDE COMMUNITY WATERS 

SHEET 7:  

Simplifying measures 

Programming 

Reform  of  the  arrangements  for  the  management  of  fishing 
► 
agreements  with  third  countries.  (see  ‘Legislation  to  be  simplified  and 
other reference documents’ below), in particular to: 

adjust  the  current  legal  structure  to  earmark  for  evaluation  by  the 
1) 
Council the basic principles (distribution key, suspension mechanisms, etc.) 
and the procedure for examining applications for authorisation to fish. The 
technical and administrative aspects (documentation to be provided, format, 
deadlines, etc.) will be covered in a Commission regulation.  

► 

1) 

This reform will require in particular: 

the preparation of a handbook for the administrators concerned.  

the  computerised  management  of  fishing  authorisations  and  catch 

2) 
and effort data associated with those activities (see Sheet 5). 

by 

the 
►2006–07, 
Commission, 
the 
Member  States  and  the 
industry 
and 
ACFA) 

(RAC 

by 

►2006, 
the 
Commission,  Member 
States  and  the  industry 
(RAC and ACFA) 

by 

the 
► 
2007 , 
in 
Commission 
agreement  with 
the 
national  administrations 
and the industry 

Computerised 
management  in  the  half 
the 
year 
following 
the 
adoption 
arrangements 

of 

Legislation to be simplified: 

○ Instruments adopted by the Council: Council Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 laying down general 
provisions  concerning  the  authorisation  of  fishing  in  the  waters  of  a  third  country  under  a  fisheries 
agreement as amended on a proposal by the Commission (COM(2005) 238 final of 6 June 2005. 

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