23.11.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 303/13
(9)
Given the difficulties to increase further the selectivity and the minimal discard volume identified by the STECF, the exemption should therefore be granted until 31 December 2023, which will also allow Member States to proceed with the relevant studies ultimately leading to improved knowledge about the stock.
(10)
Article 13(1)(a) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2015 granted a de minimis for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 5 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines with a mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm (OTB, OTT, OT, PTB, PT, SSC, SDN, SPR, SX, SV, TBN, TBS, TB, TX), pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) and beam trawls (BT2) with a mesh size of 80 to 119 mm in ICES divisions 7b to 7k;
(11)
The joint recommendation requested an extension of this exemption until 31 December 2023 to be applied in ICES divisions 7d and 7e.
(12)
The STECF noted that, in the absence of catch data for all Member States involved in the fleet, it is not possible to fully assess the impact of the exemption but acknowledges the continued efforts by Member States in the NWW to improve selectivity in the relevant fisheries.
However, the STECF reiterates that reducing fishing mortality on the Celtic Sea whiting should be a priority.
(13)
For the reasons given by the STECF, with which the Commission agrees, and notably due to the limited geographical scope (ICES divisions 7d and 7e) of the revised exemption, that, compared to the last two years, does not encompass the fishing areas (ICES divisions 7b, 7c and 7f to 7k), where Celtic Sea whiting is caught and limits them to areas where mostly North Sea whiting is caught, the exemption should therefore be granted until 31 December 2023.
Furthermore, and with the view of ensuring that this exemption is closely monitored, the Member States are requested to ensure strict monitoring of the exemption and collect the relevant discard data to be submitted to Commission before 1 May 2023.
(14)
Article 13(1)(g) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2015 granted until 31 December 2022 a de minimis exemption for megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.) below MCRS, up to a maximum of 4 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using beam trawls with a mesh size of 80 to 119 mm (BT2) in ICES subarea 7, and using bottom trawls (OTT, OTB, TBS, TBN, TB, PTB, OT, PT, TX) in the following conditions: — in ICES divisions 7f, 7g, the part of 7h North of latitude 49° 30′ N and the part of 7j N of latitude 49° 30′ North and East of longitude 11° W, for TR2 vessels with catches comprising more than 55 % of whiting or 55 % of anglerfish, hake or megrim combined, — in ICES subarea 7, outside the abovementioned area, for TR2 vessels.
(15)
The joint recommendation requested an extension of this exemption until 31 December 2023.
(16)
The STECF noted that the impact of the exemption has been limited and that the supplementary evidence submitted by the NWW Member States demonstrates the limited volume of discards generated by part of the fleets covered by this exemption.
(17)
For the reasons given by the STECF, with which the Commission agrees, the exemption should therefore be granted until 31 December 2023, which will also allow sufficient time to gather additional information on catches and discards separated for fleets less well documented.
Members States are requested to submit this additional information for assessment by the STECF no later than 1 May 2023.
(18)
Article (13)(1)(h) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2015 granted until 31 December 2022 a de minimis exemption for common sole (Solea solea), up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using beam trawls with a mesh size of 80 to 119 mm (BT2) with increased selectivity (Flemish panel) in ICES divisions 7a.
(19)
The joint recommendation requested an extension of this exemption until 31 December 2023.
(20)
The STECF noted that the improvement achieved by implementing more selective gears has yielded a significant decrease in unwanted undersized fish catches and in discard volumes that currently are minimal.