EN
23.11.2022
Official Journal of the European Union
L 303/3
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2022/2288 of 16 August 2022 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2066 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the extension of the high survivability exemption to the landing obligation for Venus shells (Venus spp.), Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.) in the western Mediterranean Sea
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 (1), and in particular Article 14 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2066 (2) provides the implementation of the landing obligation for certain demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea applicable from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024.
(2)
On 9 May 2022, Spain, France and Italy (‘Pescamed High-Level Group’) submitted to the Commission a joint recommendation proposing the extension of certain exemptions of the landing obligation for demersal fisheries in the western Mediterranean Sea, taking into account the views of the Mediterranean Advisory Council.
(3)
The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (‘STECF’) assessed the joint recommendation between 16 and 20 May 2022 (3).
(4)
On 8 July 2022, the Pescamed High-Level Group submitted an updated joint recommendation, which STECF also assessed.
(5)
Under Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), the Commission has considered the updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 in light of the STECF’s assessment to ensure that it is compatible with the relevant conservation measures, including the landing obligation.
(6)
The updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 proposes to extend the high survivability exemptions, as provided for in Article 15(4), point (b), of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, established for Venus shells (Venus spp.), Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.) caught with mechanised dredges.
(7)
Regarding Venus shells (Venus spp), the STECF concluded that the supporting information for provides robust high survivability estimates.
The Commission therefore considers that the exemption should be extended.
(1) OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 1.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2066 of 25 August 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding details of implementation of the landing obligation for certain demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea for the period 2022-2024 (OJ L 421, 26.11.2021, p. 17).
(3) Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) – Evaluation of Joint Recommendations on the landing obligation and on Technical Measures Regulation (STECF-22-05).
(4) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22).