CELEX: 51977PC0087
Language: en
Date: 1977-03-11
Title: Proposal for COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) fixing catch quotas for certain zones and procedures relating to fishing activity in those zones (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

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COM (77) 87
Vol. 1977/0034
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 ---pagebreak---      COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                         COM(77)87 final
                                                        Brussels . 11 March 1977
                                         B? ; 4
                                         I  –I    * . i \ - i -1  r..n J
                                           VA                    /à/
                                           \?k *«*
                                    Proposal
                                 COUNCIL REGULATION' ( EEC )
                fixing catch quotas for certain zones and procedures
                relating to fishing activity in those zones
                       ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
COM(77 ) 87 final
 ---pagebreak---                  In ite resolution on certain aspects of the internal
     fisheries regime adopted on 3 November 1976 , the Council , having
     regard to the economic implications of fishing in Ireland , declared
     its intention of applying the provisions of the common fisheries
     policy in such a way as to ensure the steady and gradual development
     of the Irish fishing industry on the basis of the Irish Government 's
     Programme for the development of inshore fishing ( l).
                The recognition of the special position of Ireland among
    those Member States with fishing interests will require the appli­
    cation of special provisions as part of the regime for the conserva­
    tion and management of resources (2 ) which needs to be set up as
    soon as possible .
   2.          In view of the urgent need to solve at Community level
   the problem of resource conservation , the Council adopted on
   19 February 1977 (3) a number of interim conservation and management
   measures which constitute a first step towards the achievement of
   this aim .
                                  ι..
      Father measures will have to be added in order to protect marine
  resources in the fishing zones of the Member States and to safeguard
  future catch potential .
 3.           However, ad hoc provisions should be laid down without
 delay in order to prevent lack of protection jeopardising the future
 of the Iris&sh fishing industry®
              Indeed , certain stocks in the waters around Ireland have
 been heavily fished and even overfished . Consequently appropriate
 measures should be implemented right away in order to re-establish
 these stocks and thus create reasonable fishing conditions in these
waters to guarantee the steady and gradual development of the
 fishing industry in Ireland .
( 1 ) Doc . I/385/76 add . 1 Annex VII
      9'i'     C. 255 of 28 October 1976 , p. 3 .
(3 ) O.J. N L 48 of 19 January 1977 , p. 28.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                     2 .-
               The re-establishment of these stocks by means of limits
 on catches and provisions concerning the utilization of catch capa­
 city will facilitate the creation of optimum fishing conditions which
 vill also benefit fishermen from the Member States which have tra­
 ditionally fished in these waters .
               Any measures considered in this connection should cover
 all of ICES sub-zones VI and VII , in view of the interdependence
 of these zones both from the biological point of view and with regard
 to fishing practice .
 k.            The proposal for a regulation laying down interim measures
 for the conservation and management of fishery resources ( 1 ) provides
 for the TACs to be fixed at a level which will guarantee the future
 volume of stocks .
               The following table shows that in comparison with 1973 a
 reduction of *+1 % in catches was provided for in ICES zones VI and
VII .        ,   ■: ■
                              ICES zones VI and VII
                      Catches 1975 •       TAC à - 1977   Reduction
                      or quotas 1976         1.000 t    -  1977/75
                          1.000 t                            (#)
  Demersal                 2*f5 '             183.            25
                                  !     i
  Pelagic                . 59 ^               315             k7
  Ail species              839               >98              *+1
  (1)
( 1 ) Excluding blue whiting and horse mackerel
             As regards Ireland the allocation of quotas took into
account the need to develop fisheries in that country on the basis
of the development programme for the Fishing industry .
( 1 ) doc . R/3O86/76 rev. 1 .
 ---pagebreak---               In fact , taking into account catches of other kinds of
  fish also the quotas for Ireland should make it possible for the
  Irish fishing industry to catch in 1977 a volume of all species
  which will be about 30 % higher than catches in 1976 .
  5.          As a result of the combined effect of a reduction in
  total authorized catches ( TACe ) and a distribution of catch quotas
• which . takes account of the special situation of the Irish fishing
  industry , it should be possible for the . aims set by the Council in
  its resolution of 3 November to be achieved .
              It is for this reason that the Commission proposes the
  introduction of catch limitation measures for sub-zones VI and VII
  and the introduction of a system of adequate controls .
              The catch quotas for these zones will apply for the re*
  malnder of 1977 .
              They were established on the basis of quota proposals
  resulting from technical work carried out at the end of 1976 , and
  have been ajusted to take account of the estimated volume of catches
  already achieved in 1977 and the need to provide for an additional
  reduction in the catches of Member States apart , from Ireland in the
  zones concerned .- The result is . an average reduction of about 33 %
  in comparison with 'the quota . proposes 1977 as part of the interim
  conservation and management measures . This percentage varies
 according to species , given the seasonal distribution of catches
 over the year .
              As regards plaice and sole it should be remembered that
 a system of quotas agreed under the auspices of the NEAFC already
 applies . . The Commission does not consider it appropriate to make
 changes to this system . In view of the uncertainty concerning the
 outcome of negotiations proceeding with certain non-member countries
 with' which the Community intends to conclude reciprocal agreements ,
 it is further proposed that at this stage no quotas should be fixed
 for the West Scotland herring stocks . The provisions laid down by
 the Council at its meeting on 20 December continue to apply to
 these stocks . However , it is planned that the Member States should
 inform the Commission on a regular basis of their catches of these
 species also .
 ---pagebreak---             As regards the few species such as blue whiting and horse
 mackerel for which overall quotas were fixed , it seems possible not
 to fix quotas for the remainder of 1977 in view of the fact that
 there seems to be no risk of over-fishing of stocks during this
 short period .
6.         In addition , the Commission is proposing to the Member
States that they adjust the scale of their fishing activities in
 zones VI and VII to the size of the quotas allocated to them .
This implies that , with the exception of Ireland whose catch poten­
tial has increases , the other Member States should limit their fishing
in the zones concerned . This aim can be achieved . by various methods .
Thus the Member States can reduce the number of fishing vessels ,
reduce the number of fishing days per vessel , reduce the fishing
season or else apply a combination of these methods .
           It is intended that the Member States , according t6 their
fishing practice , should opt for one or other of these methods and
draw up a forward fishing plan for the period up to 30 June 1977 .
After consulting the other Member States concerned the Commission
will reach a decision on this plan , taking into account in particular
the number and type of vessels considered necessary to fish the
quotas allocated ..
7«         For the remainder of 1977 ♦ provisions concerning the
monitoring of volume of fishing , complementary to the quotas already
allocated for 1977 t should also be fixed before 1 July .
           These provisions should be drawn up in the light of the
conservation measures which the Council is to introduce in addition
to those already adopted on 19 February last .
 ---pagebreak---                        Council' Regulation ( EEC )
                  firing catch quotas for certain zones
                  and related rules governing fishing
                           in those zones
             » .
, THE COUNCIL OP THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
  and in particular Article 103 thereof,
  Having regard to the Act of Accession , and in particular Article 102
  thereof,
  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
  Whereas in its resolution on certain aspects of the internal fisheries
  regime adopted on 3 November 1976, the Council , having regard to the
  economic implications of fishing in Ireland , declared its intention of
 applying the provisions of the common fisheries policy in such way as to
 ensure the steady and gradual development of the Irish fishing industry
 on the basis of the Irish Government 's programme for the development of
 inshore fisheries ;                     • , 'V ."
 Whereas a Community regime for the conservation and management of fishery
 resources has not yet been established ;       whereas on 18 February 1977 the
 Council adopted Regulation ( EEC) N° 350/77 laying down certain interim
 measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources*;
 Whereas , in view of the precarious situation of some stocks , it is
 important that other particularly , urgent measures be taken in the immediate
 future for the interim period of 1977 to protect marine resources and '
                                                                 '   ./..
 1   OJ N° L 48, 19.2.1977, P. 28
 ---pagebreak---                                                                    2 »–
 safeguard future catch potential in sub-zones VI and VII as
 defined "by the International Counoil for the Exploration of the
 Sea ( ICES ), without prejudice to the adoption of similar measures
 for other maritime regions :
                    « ■
 Whereas , in respect of these stocks , there should he among the
Member States an equitable apportionment of the quantities that
may be caught in those zones ; whereas provision should be made
for the Member States to be able to exchange all or part of the
quantities allocated to them ;
Whereas , further, steps should be taken to ensure that the fishing
capacity of Member States takes account of the catch quota allocated
to them; . whereas , to this end , a forward fishing plan presented by
the Member States concerned should be authorized by the Commission
and the Member States should take the measures necessary to ensure
its application ;
Whereas conservation measures that include the allocation by species
of a limited catch volume to each Member State will have no effect
unless provisions are also laid down for adequate supervision of
fishing;
Whereas , in the meantime , these measures should be adopted immediately
on the basis of Article 103 of the Treaty, subject to their subsequent
inclusion in the common agricultural policy ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
 ---pagebreak---                            Article 1
The Cfuota of certain species that may be caught by the fleet of
each Member State in sub-zones VI and VII as defined by the
International Council for the Ejcploration of the Sea shall be
as laid down in Annex I for the period                to
31 December 1977 »                         ■
 ---pagebreak---                               Article 2
Where two or more Member States make a joint request for an exchange
of all or part of the quotas for a species or group of species referred
to in Article 1 , the Commission may alter the quotas in question in
accordance with the request .
 ---pagebreak---                         Article 3
Member States shall require a   statement to be signed by-
all skippers of fishing vessels , listing the catches of species
subject to quotas and the location of those catches . Member States
shall take all the measures necessary to check the accuracy of
such statements .  They shall inform the Commission each month of
the volume of catches by species landed on their territory , according
to fishing ground and the flag of the vessel .  The Commission shall
treat information on individual catches as confidential .
The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply also to catches of sole
and plaice in International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
sub-zones VI and VII , and to herring in sub-zone VI .
 ---pagebreak---                         Article 4
Member States shall provide . the Commission with a forward fishing:
plan for the period from               to 30 June in sub-zones VI and ;
VII as defined "by the International Council; for the Exploration of
the SeaI ; account; being taken , of the quotas , allocated ) to them under
Artiole - 1»  The plan may provide for
– regulation of the number of fishing vessels to be deployed ,
– regulation of' the number of' excursions per vessel ,;
– regulation of fishing periods ,.
– legislation to ensure proper implementation of the plan ...
On the "basis of the, communication provided for in paragraph 1 and
after consultation with the Member States ooncerned ,, the Commission
shall authorize the fishing plan; having regard in particular to the
number of vessels and the fishing, capacity, required to achieve the
quotas *. It shall , if necessary^, lay down the detailed rules for
implementing the plan ..           ■
The Council , acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the
Commission , shall adopt before I       July 1977' the measures to be
applied for the remainder of 1977 ». in the light of the conservation
measures that it is required to . take in pursuance of Council Regulation
(EEC) N* 350/77 of 18 February 1977 .
 ---pagebreak---                           Article 5
Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure application
of this Regulation , particularly as regards observance of the quotas
and of the detailed rules governing fishing provided for in Article 4 .
 ---pagebreak---                          Article 6
This Regulation shall enter into force   on
It shall apply until 31 December 1977 .
This Regulation shall "be "binding in its entirety and directly applicable
in all Member States .
Done at Brussels , •                           For the Council
                                             .  The President
 ---pagebreak---                            AÎTNEX I
    Catch quotas allocated to the various Member States from
    to 31 December 1977 in ICES sub-zones VI and VII , where
    these are m waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction
    of Member States .
Species                        Stock
                                                       Member     • 000
                                                       State   tonnes
            Ge ographi cal              ICES
                región               sub-zone
  Cod       West Scotland                 VI    France           1,84
                                                Ire 1 and       0,72
                                                United Kingdom  5,84
                                                Other Member
                                                 States         0,19
                                                (by-catches )
Cod        Irish Sea ,                 VII     Belgium
          West Ireland                                         0,38
          and Porcupine                        France           6,08
          Bank , South                         Ireland
          Ireland , Bristol                                    3,28
          Channel , English                   Netherlands      0,08
          Channel
                                              United Kingdom   2,89
                                              Other Member
                                              States           0,06
                                              (by-catches )
 ---pagebreak--- Speoies                     Stook           | Member         • 000
                                              State          tonnes
          Geographical              ICES
            region    .            sub-zone
Haddock   West Scotland           ■ VI        Prance ,       1,59
                                              Ireland        0,64
                                              United Kingdom 8,39
        1
                                              Other Member
                                               States        0,05
                                              (by-catches )
Haddook   Irish Sea ,               VII       Belgium        0,08
          West Ireland and
                                              Prance         4,64
          Porcupine Bank ,
          South Ireland ,                     Ireland        0,40
          Bristol Channel ,
                                              United-Kingdom 0,15   •
          English Channel
                                              Other Member
                                                   States    0,02
                                              (by-catches )
 ---pagebreak--- f–––––––"                                                          '
  Species                     Stock                  Member           • 000
          I                                          State            tonnes
          I
          i Geographical                    ICES
          I
              region .                     sub-zone
                                 i
  Whiting   West Sootland        j'
                                 I  • *' '
                                            VI   •
                                                    Germany           0,07
                                                    France            1,94
                                                    Ireland           2,03
                                                    Netherlands       0,07
                                                    United Kingdom   10,05
                                                    Other Member
                                                      States          0,07
                                                    (by-catches )
          I
  Whiting   Irish Sea ,                     VII     Belgium           0,19
            West Ireland and .
                                                    Prance            9»47
            Porcupine Bank ,
            South Ireland , '                       Ireland           3,56
            Bristol Channel ,                       Netherlands       0,66
            English Channel
                                                    United Kingdom    2,27
                                                    Other Member
                                                      States
                                                                      0,08
                                                    (by-catches )
                                                       .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                          4 .-
• Speeies                        Stock          Member            '000
                                                State             tonnes
               Geographical              ICES
                  region               sub-zone
  Coalfish     West Sootland   '         VI     Germany        :  0,31
                                                France           10,22
      <
                                                Ireland           0,20
                                                Netherlands       0,44
                                     j
                                                United-Kingdom    4,84
    '
                                                Other Member
           i                                        States        0,08
           j                                    ("by-catches )
  Coalfish   • Irish Sea ,               VII    France            3,12
               West Ireland and
                                                Ireland           1,00
               Porcupine Bank ,
               South Ireland ,                  United-Kingdom    0,52
               Bristol Channel ,                Other Member
               English Channel                    States          0,02
                                                (by-catches )
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                       5.
       Speoies                          Sitock                 Member           • 000
                                         ■
                                                               State            tonnes
                       Geographical               ICES
                         region                   division
                                                                            –         –     . 1
       Herring         West Celtic Sea            VII j-k     Ireland           (*)
                                         !
                                                              Other Member
                                                                 States        0,09
                                                              ("by-catches)
    L_™_J
                                                                                           , I.
      Herring         Irish Sea                  VII a        France           0,17
                                                              Ireland          (*)
                                                             Netherlands      0,10
                                                   (**)      United Kingdom   9,18
                                                           |
      Herring         West Ireland               VII b,c     Germany          0,90
                                                             France           0,45
                                                             Ireland          (*)
                                                 (***)       Netherlands      9,00
                                                             United Kingdom   0,90
                                         ■
                                                                            –            1
              -frish quotas will "be fixed as soon as the Commission has been notified
         of catches by Irish fisheries during the first quarter of 1977,
  (**) Minus the zone delimited
         - to   the north "by latitude 52° 30' North,
         - to   the south "by latitude 52° 00' North,
         - to   the west "by the Irish coast ,
         - to  the  east by the coast  of the United Kingdom.
' *) Excluding Donegal Bay. .
l             - .
 ---pagebreak---  Species                   Stook                Member      • 000
                                                State       tonnes
         Geographical             ICES
           region                sub-zone
                                                         I
Mackerel West Sootland            VI  and Germany           0,86
                                  VII  .  France           14,19
                                          Ireland          12,0
                                          Netherlands       7,50
                                          United Kingdom   40,07
                                          Other Member
                                           States           0,34
                                          (by-catches )
  ■
Hake     Irish Sea ,              VI and  Belgium           0,38
         West Ireland and
         Porcupine Bank ,
                                  VII     Prance           11,78
         South Ireland ,                  Ireland           0,40
         Bristol Channel ,
                                          United Kingdom   10,34
         English Channel