CELEX: 51996PC0157
Language: en
Date: 1996-04-19
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) laying down common marketing standards for certain fishery products

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
ir -it
                                           Brussels, 19.04.1996
                                           COM(96) 157 final
                            Proposal for a
                  COUNCIL REGULATION (EC)
   laying down common marketing standards for certain fishery products
                   (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                            EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The Council, acting in accordance with Article 2 of Régulât, ion
(EEC) No 3759/92 on the common organization of the market in
fishery and aquaculture products, has adopted common market inn
standards as follows:
     Regulation (EEC) No 103/76, which lays down standards
     applicable to certain fishery products for 3!) species of
     fish and one species of cephalopod presented fresh or
     chilled;
     Regulation (EEC) No 104/76, which adopts standards for four
     species of crustaceans presented live, fresh, chilled or
     cooked.
These Regulations have been amended, added to and adjusted many-
times since they were first adopted.
It is again necessary for a number of technical amendments to bo-
made in order to bring the standards into line with changes that
have occurred in production, markets and business practice:
     by establishing freshness ratings distinguished by product
     group, which will make grading easier through the use of
     simpler, more appropriate freshness criteria;
     by altering the sizes1 of certain products as a result of
     changes in production conditions or demand.
Advantage should be taken of the opportunity afforded by these
new amendments to include in the rules in question a number of
improvements and new provisions that have become essential in
terms both of form and substance:
            »
     In order to ensure that the rules are clear, are properly
     applied by those for whom they are intended, and to make
     controls easier, all these provisions should above all be
     revised into a single legal instrument;
     secondly, the Commission proposes strengthening                                        the
     effectiveness of marketing standards with the aim of
     improving product quality; in view of consumers' increasing
     and totally legitimate demands in terms of product quality
     and   freshness,           and      the    difficulty            of      securing -i
     satisfactory price for products, it is difficult to imagine
     public funding continuing to be made available for
     withdrawals of categories of products the market no long
     wants.     The       proposal         is     therefore            to      discontinue-
     compensation and support under Articles 12, 12a, 14 and 15
     of Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 for products graded in
     freshness category B.
          To make the preparatory work in the Council easier, changes to sizes in Annex II of the
          proposal are shown in italics.
                                           I
 ---pagebreak--- Admittedly, this measure, if it is to be relevant, will
have to be prolonged when the prices are fixed, by
differentiating systematically between prices for Extra and
A grades and providing higher support for Extra grade
products.
Finally, in an altogether different sphere, it is proposed
indicating more clearly that precedence must be given to
technical conservation measures, i.e. minimum biological
sizes, over minimum commercial sizes, where there is a
threat that these two types of provisions may be in
conflict on account of the different measurement units they
apply. Annex II therefore contains a reminder of any
minimum biological sizes which are in force for the
products in. question while the principle itself is set out
expressly in the body of the instrument.
 ---pagebreak---                                                   Proposal for a
                                      Council Regulation (EC) No          /96
                                         of                          1996
                     laying down common marketing standards for certain fishery products
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 of 17 December 1992 on the common organization
of the market in fishery and aquaculture products1, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3318/942, and in
particular Article 2(3) thereof
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas common marketing standards were laid down for certain species of fish by Regulation (EEC) No
103/76 of 19 January 19763, and for certain species of crustaceans by Regulation (EEC) No 104/76 of 19
January 19764; whereas these Regulations have been amended several times since their adoption, most recently
by Regulations (EEC) No 1935/935 and (EC) No 1300/956; whereas far-reaching new amendments must now
be made to them in order to reflect market developments and changes in trade practices; whereas it is therefore
necessary to revise these provisions entirely, in a single legal instrument, to ensure that they are clear and can
be properly applied; whereas Regulations (EEC) Nos 103/76 and 104/76 should consequently be replaced;
                   OJ  No  L 388, 31.12.1992, p. 1.
                   OJ  No  L 350, 31.12.1994, p. 15.
                   OJ  No  L  20, 28. 1.1976, p. 29.
                   OJ  No  L  20. 28. 1.1976, p. 35.
                   OJ  No  L 176, 20. 7.1993, p. 1.
                   OJ  No  L 126, 9. 6.1995, p. 3.
 ---pagebreak---  Whereas the principal aims of the common marketing standards for fishery products are to improve product
quality and thus make marketing easier to the benefit of both producers and consumers; whereas since fishery
products are unprocessed and are marketed fresh or chilled, their quality is determined largely by their freshness,
which is assessed on the basis of objective criteria by organoleptic examination; whereas if batches of fishery
products are to be uniformly fresh, they must consist of products of the same species, from the same fishing
grounds and the same vessel only;
Whereas a small but adequate number of freshness categories should be established based on appropriate ratings
for individual product groups; whereas, however, in view of the need to support quality products, not all
freshness categories should be permitted to qualify for the intervention mechanisms introduced as part of the
market organization arrangements;
Whereas the common marketing standards have the aim also of defining uniform trade characteristics for the
products in question across the entire Community market in order to prevent distortions of competition and,
secondly, to enable the market organization price arrangements to be applied uniformly; whereas to that end'
there should be a requirement that fishery products be graded on the basis of size categories determined
according to weight or, in some individual cases, according to size;
Whereas the common marketing standards apply when all the products concerned, of Community origin or from
third countries, intended for human consumption, are being sold for the first time on Community territory;
whereas the standards apply without prejudice to health rules or rules adopted as part of stock conservation
measures; whereas it is especially important to recall the primary importance, in all circumstances, of any
minimum biological sizes in force, as against the minimum sizes determined for fishery products by the
common marketing standards;
Whereas the application of the common marketing standards to products coming from third countries means
that additional information must be shown on packaging; whereas this information need not be shown, however,
where the products are brought into the Community by vessels flying the flag of a third country under the same
conditions as Community catches;
Whereas, in view of normal practice in most Member States, it is advisable that the industry should grade
fishery products for freshness and size; whereas, with a view in particular to assessing freshness on the basis
of organoleptic criteria, provision should be made for the collaboration of experts appointed for this purpose
b> the trade organizations concerned;
                                                        <3
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas, in order to keep each other informed, each Member State should supply the other Member States and
the Commission with a list of the names and addresses of the experts and trade organizations concerned,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
A- GENERAL PROVISIONS
                                                    Article 1
1.    This Regulation lays down, for certain fishery products, common marketing standards as provided for
      in Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92, hereinafter called the 'basic Regulation'.
2.    For the purpose of this Regulation:
      a)      'marketing' means the first offer for sale and/or the first sale, on Community territory, for human
              consumption;
      b)      'lot' means a quantity of fishery products of a given species which has been subjected to the same
              treatment and is from the same fishing grounds and the same vessel;
      c)      'fishing grounds' is the customary name given by the fishing industry to the place in which
              catches have been taken.
3.    The provisions of this Regulation relating to the freshness categories for fishery products shall apply
      without prejudice to the requirements of Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991 laying down the health
      conditions for the production and the placing on the market of fishery products7.
                  OJ No 1. 268, 24.9.1991, p. 15. - Directive amended by Directive 95 71 EC o(
                  22.12.1995. (OJ No L 332, 30.12.1995, p. 40.)
                                                        L
 ---pagebreak---                                                         Article 2
       fishery products as specified in Article 3. of Community origin or from third countries, may be
       marketed only if they meet the requirements of this Regulation.
        This Regulation shall not. however, apply to small quantities of products disposed of directly to retailers
       or consumers by inshore      fishermen.
       Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid
       down in Article 32 of the basic Regulation.
                                                        Article 3
       Common marketing standards are hereby laid for the following products:
       (a)     Saltwater fish falling under CN code 0302:
Plaice                        (Plcwonectes       platessa)
Albacorc or longfinned tuna {Thunnus          alalunga)
Blue fin tuna                 (Thunnus      thymus)
Bigeye tuna                   (Thunnus or Parathunnus          obesus)
Herring of the species Clupea      harengus
Cod of the species (jadus     morhua
Sardine of the species Sardina      pilchardus
Haddock                       (Mclanogrammus          acglefinus)
Coal fish                     (Pollachius     virens)
Pollack                       (Pollachius      pollachius)
Mackerel of the species Scomber        scomhrus
Mackerel ol the species Scomber        japonicus
Horse mackerel                (Trachurus     spp.)
Dogfish                       {Sc/ualus acanlhias and Scyliorhinus      spp.)
Red             fish          (Se basics   spp.)
Whiting                       (.YIerlangius     mcrlangus)
Blue whiting                  (Micromesislius     poulassou    or Gadus  poutassou)
Ling                          (Molva    spp.)
 ---pagebreak--- - Anchovy                      (Engraulis spp.)
- Hake of the species Merluccius merluccius
- Megrim                       (Lepidorhombus spp.)
- Ray's bream                  (Brama spp.)
- Monkfish                     (Lophius spp.)
- Dab                          (JLimanda limanda)
- Lemon sole                   (Microstomus kitt)
- Pouting {Trisopterus luscus), and poor cod/Mediterranean cod (Trisopterus minutus)
- Bogue                        (Boops boops)
- Picarel                      (Maena smarts)
- Conger                       (Conger conger)
-Gurnard                       (Trigla spp.)
-Mullet                        (Mugil spp.)
- Skate                        (Raja spp.)
- Common        flounder       (Platichthys flesus)
- Sole                         (Solea spp.)
- Scabbardfish                 (Lepidopus caudatus and Aphanopus carbo)
        (b) Crustaceans falling under CN code 0306:
        Shrimps (Crangon crangon) and prawns (Pandalus borealis)
       Edible crabs (Cancer pagurus)
       Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus)
       presented live, fresh or chilled, or cooked by steaming or by boiling in water.
       (c) Cephalopods falling under CN code 0307:
       Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis and Rossia macrosoma).
2.     The marketing standards referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise:
       (a) freshness categories, and
       (b) size categories.
                                                       «
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak--- B. FRESHNESS CATEGORIES
                                                      Article 4
1.    The freshness category of each lot shall be determined on the basis of the freshness of the product and
      a number of additional requirements.
      Freshness shall be defined by reference to the special scales for different types of products set out in
      Annex I to this Regulation.
2.    On the basis of the scales referred to in paragraph 2, products as specified in Article 3 shall be classified
      by lot in one of the following freshness categories:
      a)      Extra, A or B in the case of fish, cephalopods and Norway lobster
      b)      Extra or A in the case of shrimps.
      However, live Norway lobsters shall be classified in category E.
3.    Crab as specified in Article 3 shall not be subject to specific freshness standards.
      However, only whole crabs, excluding berried females or soft-shelled crabs, may be marketed.
                                                      Article 5
1.    Each lot must contain products of the same degree of freshness. A small lot need not, however, be of
      uniform freshness; if it is not, the lot shall be placed in the lowest freshness category represented therein.
2.    The freshness category must be clearly and indelibly marked, in characters which are at least 5 cm high,
      on labels affixed to the lot.
                                                      Article 6
1.    Fish, cephalopods and Norway lobster as specified in Article 3 placed by lot in category B shall be
      ineligible in so far as that lot is concerned for the financial assistance granted in respect of withdrawal
      as provided for in Articles 12, 12a, 14 and 15 of the basic Regulation.
2.    Fish in freshness category Extra must be free from pressure marks, injuries, blemishes and bad
      discolouration.
 ---pagebreak--- 3.    Fish in freshness category A must be free from blemishes and bad discolouration. A very small
      proportion with slight pressure marks and superficial injuries shall be tolerated.
4.    When products are being classified by freshness category, without prejudice to the health rules
      applicable, the presence of parasites and their possible effect on the quality of the product shall also be
      taken into consideration, allowance being made for the type of product and its presentation.
5.    Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, where necessary, in accordance with
      the procedure laid down in Article 32 of the basic Regulation.
C. SIZE CATEGORIES
                                                   Article 7
1.    Fishery products as specified in Article 3 shall be sized by weight or by number per kilogramme.
      Shrimps and crabs, however, shall be graded in size categories by width of shell.
2.    The minimum sizes established by this Regulation, in accordance with the scale set out in Annex II,
      shall apply without prejudice to the minimum lengths required under Regulations:
              (EEC) No 1866/86 of 12 June 1986 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation
              of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound8;
              (EEC) No 3094/86 of 7 October 1986 laying down certain technical measures for the
              conservation of fishery resources9;
              (EC) No 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation
              of fishery resources in the Mediterranean10.
      For the purposes of control by the competent authorities, the minimum biological sizes to be observed
      in any event are shown in Annex II where they apply to the species covered by the marketing standards.
                                                   Article 8
                 OJ No L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 1. - Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No
                 2250/95 (OJ No L 230, 27.9.1995, p. 1.).
                 OJ No L 288, 11.10.1986, p. 1. - Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC)
                 No 3071/95, 22.12.1995 (OJ No L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 14.)
          10
                 O J N o L 171, 6.7.1994, p. 1.
                                                      4o
 ---pagebreak--- 1.      Lots shall be placed in size categories in accordance with the scale set out in Annex II.
2.      Each lot must contain products of the same size. A small lot need not, however, be of uniform size;
        if it is not, the lot shall be placed in the lowest size category represented therein.
3.      The size category and presentation must be clearly and indelibly marked, in characters which are at least
        5 cm high, on labels affixed to the lot.
        The net weight in kilogrammes shall be clearly and legibly marked on each lot. Where lots are put up
        for sale in standard boxes, the net weight need not be shown if the contents of the box are shown when
        weighed prior to being put up for sale to correspond to the presumed contents.
4.      Detailed rules for the application of this Article, in particular as regards the method of weighing and the
        determination of a variation in the net weight, above or below that marked or presumed, permitted for
        each lot, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 32 of the basic
        Regulation.
                                                       Article 9
Pelagic species may be graded in the different categories of freshness and size on the basis of a system of
sampling. This system must ensure that the freshness and size of the products contained in the lot are as
uniform as possible.
Detailed rules for the application of this Article, in particular for determining the number of samples to be
taken, the weight or volume of fish in each sample, and the methods for assessing the grading and verifying
the weight of lots offered for sale shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 32
of the basic Regulation.
                                                       Article 10
In order to ensure local or regional supplies of shrimps and crabs for certain coastal zones of the Community,
exemptions from the minimum sizes specified for these products in Annex II may be adopted.
The zones in question shall be determined and the corresponding marketing sizes adopted in accordance with
procedure laid down in Article 32 of the basic Regulation.
                                                           M
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak--- D. PRODUCTS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES
                                                     Article 11
1.      Without prejudice to Article 2(1), products as specified in Article 3 imported from third countries may
        be marketed only if they are presented in packages on which the following information is clearly and
        legibly marked:
                country of origin, printed in roman letters at least 20 mm high;
                scientific name of product and its trade name;
                presentation;
                freshness and size categories;
                net weight in kg of products in the package;
                date of grading and date of dispatch;
                name and address of consignor.
2.      However, products as specified in Article 3 landed in a Community port direct from the fishing grounds
        from vessels flying the flag of a third country and intended for marketing shall be subject to the same
        provisions as are applicable to Community catches.
E. FINAL PROVISIONS
                                                     Article 12
The fishing industry shall grade fishery products for freshness and size in collaboration with experts designated
for that purpose by the trade organizations concerned.
                                                     Article 13
Each Member State shall provide the other Member States and the Commission, not later than one month before
this Regulation enters into force, with a list of the names and addresses of the experts and trade organizations
referred to in Article 12. The other Member States and the Commission shall be informed of any amendments
to this list.
                                                     Article 14
Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 103/76 and 104/76 are hereby repealed. References to those Regulations shall
be understood to apply to this Regulation.
                                                         42
 ---pagebreak---                                                    Article IS
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1997.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels,                                   For the Council
                                                      Ah
 ---pagebreak---                                                    ANNEX I
                                           FRESHNESS RATINGS
         The ratings established in this Annex apply to the following products or groups of products,
                           by reference to appraisal criteria specific to each of them
A. Whitefish
Haddock, cod, saithe, pollack, redfish, whiting, blue whiting, ling, hake, Ray's bream, monkfish, pouting and
poor cod, bogue, picarel, conger, gurnard, mullet, plaice, megrim, sole, dab, lemon sole,flounder,scabbard fish
B. Bluefish
Albacore or longfinned tuna, bluefm tuna, bigeye tuna, herring, sardines, mackerel, horse mackerel, anchovy
C. Selachii
Dogfish, skate
D. Cephalopods
Cuttlefish
E. Crustaceans
        1. Shrimps
        2. Norway lobster
                                                       /!4
 ---pagebreak--- A. WHITEFISH
                                                            CRITERIA
                                                   FRESHNESS CATEGORY1
                                       Extra                      A                       B
 Skin                       Bright, iridescent        Pigmentation bright but  Pigmentation in the
                            pigmentation (save for    not lustrous; slight     process of becoming
                            redfish) or opalescent;   discolouration.          discoloured and dull.
                            no discolouration.
 Skin mucus                 Aqueous, transparent.     Milky.                   Yellowish grey,
                                                                               slightly speckled.
 Eye                        Convex (bulging);         Flat; pupil slightly     Slightly concave; grey
                            black, bright pupil ;     opaque; opalescent       pupil; opaque
                            transparent cornea.       cornea .                 discoloured cornea.
 Gills                      Dark or bright red;       Red or pink; slightly    Brown/grey becoming
                            transparent mucus .       opaque mucus .           discoloured; thidk,
                                                                               opaque mucus.
 Peritoneum                 Smooth; bright;           Slightly dull; difficult Speckled; comes away
 (in gutted fish)           difficult to detach from  to detach from flesh.    easily from flesh.
                            flesh.
 Smell of gills and         Fresh; seaweedy;          No smell, neutral smell  Fermented; slightly
 abdominal cavity           seafood.                  or slightly sweetish.    sour.
 - whitefish other than
 plaice
 - Plaice                   Fresh oily; metallic;     Oily; seaweedy or        Oily; fermented,
                            peppery; earthy smell.    slightly sweetish.       musty, slightly rancid.
                     In the case of monkfish without head, grading will be made on the basis of the
                     headings applicable thereto.
                                                              45
 ---pagebreak--- B BLUEFISH
                                                     CRITERIA
                                             FRESHNESS CATEGORY
                       Extra                    A                        B
 Skin                 Bright pigmentation,      Loss of lustre and       Dull, lustreless, insipid
                      bright, shining           shine; duller colours;   colours; skin creased
                      iridescent colours; clear less difference between  when fish curved.
                      distinction between       dorsal and ventral
                      dorsal and ventral        surfaces.
                      surfaces.
 Skin mucus           Aqueous, transparent.     Milky, slightly          Brownish
                                                brownish
 Consistency of flesh Very firm, rigid.         Fairly rigid, firm.      Slightly soft
 Gill covers          Silvery.                  Silvery, slightly red or Brownish and
                                                brown.                   extensive seepage of
                                                                         blood from vessels..
 Eye                  Convex, bulging; blue-    Less convex to flat;     Flat to slightly
                      black bright pupil,       slightly veiled pupil,   concave; veiled
                      transparent 'eyelid'.     veiled 'eyelid'.         crystalline lens; blood
                                                                         seepage around eye
                                                                         (spectacles).
 Gills                Uniformly bright red to   Less bright colour,      Becoming discoloured,
                      purple.                   paler at edges.          mucus more plentiful.
 Smell of gills       Fresh seaweed;            Thin or odourless,       Slightly sulphureous
                      pungent; iodine;          sweetish fishoil or mud. fatty smell, rancid
                      metallic.                                          bacon cuttings or
                                                                         rotten fruit.
                                                        /*>
 ---pagebreak--- C. SELACHII
                                               CRITERIA
                                      FRESHNESS CATEGORY
             Extra                      A                        B
 Eye        Convex, very bright         Convex to flat; clear    Flat to concave;
            and iridescent; small       green having lost its    slightly yellowish, dull
            pupils                      brightness and
                                        iridescence, oval pupils
 Appearance In rigor mortis or          Beyond rigor stage; no   Thick mucus in mouth
            partially in rigor; small   mucus on skin and        and on gill openings;
            quantity of clear mucus     especially in mouth and  slightly flattened jaw
            present on skin             gill openings
 Smell      Fresh, sea smell            No smell or slight       Ammonia smell; sour
                                        musty but not an
                                        ammonia smell
                                               4}
 ---pagebreak--- D. CEPHALOPODS
                                             CRITERIA
                                     FRESHNESS CATEGORY
                Extra                  A                     B
 Skin          Bright pigmentation,    Dull pigmentation ;   Discoloured; easily
               skin sticks to flesh.   skin sticks to flesh. detached from flesh.
 Flesh         Very firm; pearly       Firm; chalky white.   Slightly soft; pinky
               white.                                        white or slightly
                                                             yellowing.
 Tentacles     Resistant to removal.   Resistant to removal. More easily removed.
 Smell         Fresh; seaweed .        Slight or no smell.   Ink smell.
                                                4
 ---pagebreak--- E. CRUSTACEANS
         (1) Shrimps
                                                               CRITERIA
                                                       FRESHNESS CATEGORY
                       Extra                                             A
 Minimum             - surface of shell : moist and shiny;               The same as for Extra category
 requirements        - shrimps must fall out separately when
                     transferred from one container to another;
                     - flesh must be free from any foreign odour;
                     - shrimps must be free from sand, mucus and
                     other foreign bodies;
 Appearance of       very incurred;                                      incurved;
 shrimp with         - shrimps: bright brownish-red verging on grey;     - slightly washed-out reddish-
 shell               pectoral part of shell predominantly light in       brown colour; pectoral part of
                     colour                                              shell predominantly dark
                                                                         - pink with possibility of start of
                     - deep-water prawn: uniformly pink                  blackening of céphalothorax
 Condition of        - shells easily with technically unavoidable losses - shells less easily with small
 flesh during and    of flesh                                            losses of flesh;
 after shelling      - firm but not tough;                               - less firm, slightly tough
 Fragments           occasional fragments of shrimp allowed              small quantity of fragments of
                                                                         shrimp allowed
                                                               M
 ---pagebreak---       (2)     Norway lobster
                                                        CRITERIA
                                                FRESHNESS CATEGORY
                        EXTRA                     A                      B
Shell                   Pale pink or pink to      Pale pink or pink to   Slight discoloration;
                        orange-red                orange-red;            some black spots and
                                                  No black spots.        greyish colour,
                                                                         particularly on shell
                                                                         and between tail
                                                                         segments
Eye and gills           Shiny black eyes; pink    Eyes dull and          Gills dark grey or
                        gills.                    grey/black; gills      some greenish colour
                                                  greyish.               on dorsal surface of
                                                                         shell.
Smell                   Characteristic mild       Loss of characteristic Slightly sour.
                        shellfish smell.          shellfish smell. No
                                                  ammonia smell.
Flesh (tail)            Translucent and blue in   No longer translucent  Opaque and dull in
                        colour tending towards    but not discoloured.   appearance.
                        white.
                                                           ofc
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                             ANNEX II
                                                       SIZE CATEGORIES
                     Scale of weights                         Minimum sizes to be observed in the conditions laid down in the
                                                                               Regulations referred to in Article 7
                                               Number of
      Species         Size     Kg/fish(1)      fish/kg(2)     Region         Geographical area              Minimum size
Herring                 1   0,25 and over      4 or less          1         ICES Vb (EC zone)                    20 cm
(Clupea harengus)      2    0,125 to 0,25        5 to 8           2                  (a)                         20 cm
                       3    0,085 to 0,125       9 to 11                             (b)                         18 cm
                       4    0,05 to 0,085       12 to 20          3                                              20 cm
Baltic, north of
59°30'                  5   0,031 to 0,05       20 to 32
                            0,067 and
Sardines                1   over               15 or less
(Sardina pilchardus     2   0,042 to 0,067      16 to 24
                        3   0,032 to 0,042      25 to 32                                                  not yet determined
                       4    0,015 to 0,032      33 to 67
Mediterranean               0,011 to 0,032      33 to 91
Spotted dogfish         1   2 and over
(Scyliorhinus spp.)    2    1 to 2                  -                                                               -
                        3   0,5 to 1
Piked dogfish           1   2,2 and over
(Squalus acanthias      2   1 to 2,2                -                                                               -
                        3   0,5 to 1
Redfish                 1   2 and over
(Sebastes spp.)         2   0,6 to 2                -                                                               -
                        3   0,35 to 0,6
Cod                     1   7 and over                            1                                              35  cm
(Gadus morhua)          2   4 to 7                                2                  (a)                         35  cm
                        3   2 to 4                                                   (b)                         30  cm
                        4   1 to 2                                3                                              35  cm
                        5   0,3 to 1                            Baltic        South of 59°30'N                   30  cm
Saithe                  1   5 and over                            1                                              35  cm
(Pollachius virens)     2   3 to 5                                2                  (a)                         35  cm
                        3   1,5 to 3                -                                (b)                         30  cm
                       4    0,3 to 1,5                            3                                              35  cm
                                                                Baltic        South of 59°30'N                   30  cm
Haddock                 1   1 and over                            1         ICES Vb (EC zone)                    30  cm
(Melanogrammus          2   0,57 to 1                             2                  (a)                         30  cm
aeglefinus)             3   0,37 to 0,57            -                                (b)                         27  cm
                       4    0,17 to 0,37                          3                                              30  cm
Whiting                 1   0,5 and over                          1                                              27  cm
(Merlangius             2   0,35 to 0,5                           2                  (a)                         23  cm
merlangus)              3   0,25 to 0,35             -                               (b)                         23  cm
                        4   0,11 to 0,25                          3                                              23  cm
(1 ) The categories of weights include fish from the lower limit up to, but excluding, the upper limit.
(2) For mackerel of both species, number of fish / 25kg.
(a) Except Skagerrak and Kattegat
(b) Skagerrak and Kattegat
                                                                n
 ---pagebreak---                   Scale of weights                 Minimum sizes to be observed in the conditions laid down in the
                                                                Regulations referred to in Article 7
                                        Number of
       Species     Size     Kg/fish(1)  fish/kg(2) Region     Geographical area              Minimum size
 Ling                1   5 and over                   1
 (Molva spp.)       2    3 to 5                      2                 (a)                    not yet fixed
                    3    1,5 to 3             -                        (b)
                    4    less than 1,5                3                                           63   cm
 Mackerel of the     1   0,5 and over   50 or less    1                                           20   cm
 species Scomber    2    0,2 to 0,5     51 to 125    2        except North Sea                    20   cm
 scombrus           3    0,1 to 0,2     126 to 250                North Sea                       30   cm
 Mediterranean           0,08 to 0,2    126 to 325    3                                           20   cm
                                                     5                                            20   cm
                                                                Mediterranean                     18   cm
 Mackerel of the     1   0,5 and over
 species            2    0,25 to 0,5
 Scomber            3    0,14 to 0,25        -                                                        -
japonicus           4    0,05 to 0,14
Anchovy              1   0,033 and over 30 or less   3        except ICES IXa)                    12 cm
 (Engraulis spp.)   2    0,020 to 0,033  31 to 50    3            ICES IXa)                       10 cm
                    3    0,012 to 0,020  51 to 83               Mediterranean                      9 cm
                    4    0,008 to 0,012 84 to 125
 Plaice             1   0,6 and over                  1                                           25   cm
(Pleuronectes       2   0,4 to 0,6                   2                (a)                         25   cm
platessa)           3   0,3 to 0,4           -                        (b)                         27   cm
                    4   0,15 to 0,3                               North Sea                       27   cm
                                                     3                                            25   cm
                                                   Baltic   subdivisions 22 to 25                 25   cm
                                                            subdivisions 26 to 28                 21   cm
                                                               subdivisions 29 ]
                                                              South of 59°30'N                    18  cm
Hake                1   2,5 and over                 1                                            30  cm
(Merluccius         2   1,2 to 2,5                   2                (a)                         30  cm
merluccius)         3   0,6 to 1,2                                    (b)                         30  cm
                    4   0,28 to 0,6          -       3                                            27  cm
                    5   0,2 to 0,28                            Mediterranean                      20  cm
Mediterranean           0,15 to 0,28
Megrim              1   0,45 and over                1                                            25  cm
(Lepidorhombus      2   0,25 to 0,45                 2               (a)                          25  cm
spp.)               3   0,20 to 0,25         -                       (b)                         25   cm
                    4   0,11 to 0,20                 3                                            20  cm
Mediterranean           0,05 to 0,20
Ray's bream         1   0,8 and over         -                                                       -
(Brama spp.)        2   0,2 to 0,8
Monkfish            1   8 and over                   1
(Lophius spp.)      2   4 to 8                       2               (a)                     not yet fixed
whole, gutted       3   2 to 4               -                       (b)
                    4   1 to 2                       3                                        not yet fixed
                    5   0,5 to 1                               Mediterranean                      30 cm
                                                    21
 ---pagebreak---                     Scale of weights                Minimum sizes to be observed in the conditions laid down in the
                                                                 Regulations referred to in Article 7
                                         Number of
      Species        Size     Kg/fish(1) fish/kg(2) Region     Geographical area              Minimum size
Monkfish               1   4 and over
(Lophius spp.)        2    2 to 4
head removed          3    1 to 2              -                                                      -
                      4    0,5 to 1
                      5    0,25 to 0,5
Dab                    1   0,25 and over               1                                           15  cm
(Limanda              2    0,13 to 0,25                2               (a)                         15  cm
limanda)                                                               (b)                         23  cm
                                                                    North Sea                      23  cm
                                                       3                                           23  cm
Lemon sole             1   0,6 and over                1                                           25  cm
(Microstomus           2   0,35 to 0,6         -       2               (a)                         25  cm
kitt)                  3   0,18 to 0,35                                (b)                         25  cm
                                                       3                                           25  cm
Albacore               1   4 and over
or long-finned tuna    2   1,5 to 4            -                                                      -
(Thunnus
alalunga)
Blue-fin tuna          1   70 and over                           Mediterranean               70 cm ou 6,4 kg
(Thunnus               2   50 to 70
thynnus)               3   25 to 50            -
                       4   10 to 25
                       5   6,4 to 10
Big-eye tuna           1   10 and over         -                                                      -
(Thunnus obesus)       2   3,2 to 10
Pollack                1   5 and over                  1
(Pollachius            2   3 to 5                      2               (a)                         30 cm
pollachius)            3   1,5 to 3            -                       (b)
                       4   0,3 to 1,5                  3                                           30 cm
Blue                   1                  7 or less
whiting                2                   8 to 14
(Micromesistius        3   -               15 to 25                                                   -
poutassou ou           4                  26 to 30
Gadus poutassou)
Pouting                1   0,4 and over                3                                        not yet fixed
(Trisopterus luscus    2   0,25 to 0,4
and Poor               3   0,125 to 0,25       -
cod                    4   0,05 to 0,125
(Trisopterus
minutus)
Bogue                  1                  5 or less
(Boops boops)          2   -               6 to 31                                                    -
                       3                   32 to 70
 Picarel               1                 20 or less
(Maena sararis)        2   -               21 to 40                                                   -
                       3                   41 to 90
 ---pagebreak---                  Scale of weights                Minimum sizes to be observed in the conditions laid down in the
                                                              Regulations referred to in Article 7
                                      Number of
       Species    Size     Kg/fish(1) fish/kg(2) Region     Geographical area              Minimum size
Conger eel         1    7 and over                  1
(Conger conger)    2    5 to 7             -       2                (a)                         58 cm
                   3    0,5 to 5                                    (b)
                                                    3                                           58 cm
Gurnard             1   1 and over
(Trigla spp.)      2    0,5 to 1
Tub gurnard        3    0,35 to 0,5        -                                                       -
                   4    0,2 to 0,35
                   5    less than 0,2
Other               1   1 and over
Gurnard            2    0,5 to 1
                   3    0,35 to 0,5        -                                                       -
                   4    0,25 to 0,35
                   5    0,2 to 0,25
Horse mackerel      1   0,6 and over                1                                           15  cm
(Trachurus spp.)   2    0,4 to 0,6                  2                                           15  cm
                   3    0,2 to 0,4         -        3                                           15  cm
                   4    0,08 to 0,2                 5                                           15  cm
                   5    0,02 to 0,08                          Mediterranean                     12  cm
Mullet              1   1 and over                  1
(Mugil spp.)       2    0,5 to 1                   2                (a)                         20 cm
                   3    0,2 to 0,5         -                        (b)
                   4    0,1 to 0,2                  3                                           20 cm
                                                              Mediterranean                     16 cm
Skate              1    5 and over
(Raja spp.)        2    3 to 5
                   3    1 to 3             -                                                       -
                   4    0,3 to 1
Skate              1    3 and over         -
(wings)            2    0,5 to 3
Flounder           1    over 0,3                    1                                           24  cm
(Platichthys       2    0,2 to 0,3                 2                (a)                         24  cm
Flesus)                 inclusive                                   (b)                         24  cm
                                                   3                                            24  cm
                                                 Baltic   subdivisions 22 to 25                 25  cm
                                                          subdivisions 26 to 28                 21  cm
                                                         subdivisions 29 and 32
                                                             South of 59r30'N                   18  cm
Sole               1    0,8 and over                1                                           24  cm
(Solea spp.)       2    0,6 to 0,8                 2                (a)                         24  cm
                   3    0,4 to 0,6                                  (b)                         24  cm
                   4    0,3 to 0,4         -       3                                            24  cm
                   5    0,2 to 0,3                            Mediterranean                     20  cm
                   6    0,16 to 0,2
                   7    0,12 to 0,16
Frostfish           1   3 and over
(Lepidopus         2    2 to 3             -
caudatus)          3    1 to 2
                   4    0,5 to 1
 ---pagebreak---                        Scale of weights                   Minimum sizes to be observed in the conditions laid down in the
                                                                         Regulations referred to in Article 7
                                              Number of
       Species          Size     Kg/fish(1)    fish/kg(2) Region      Geographical area               Minimum size
Black scabbardfish        1   3 and over
(Aphanopus                2   0,5 to 3
carbo)
Cuttlefish                1   0,5 and over
(Sepia officinalis        2   0,3 to 0,5            -                                                         -
and Rossia                3   0,1 to 0,3
macrosoma)
Norway lobster            1                  20 and less    2     Skagerrak and Kattegat                 40 mm (*)
(Nephrops                 2                     21 to 30                                                130mm(**)
norvegicus                3                     31 to 40    2          except Scotland
                         4                      over 40                    Irish Sea                     25 mm (*)
                                                                   [ICES Via) and Vila)],               85 mm (**)
                                                                        Skagerrak and
                                                                            Kattegat
                                                            2     Western Scotland and                   20 mm (*)
                                                                           Irish Sea                    70 mm (**)
                                                                    [ICES Via) and Vila)]
                                                             3                                           20 mm (*)
                                                                                                        70 mm (**)
                                                                         Mediterranean                   20 mm (*)
                                                                                                        70 mm (**)
Lobster                   1                  60 and less     2    Skagerrak and Kattegat                   72 mm
tails                     2                    61 to 120
                                                                        except Western
                          3                   121 to 180    2              Scotland,                       46 mm
                          4                     over 180                   Irish Sea
                                                                   [ICES Via) and Vila)],
                                                                  Skagerrak and Kattegat
                                                             2    Western Scotland and                     37 mm
                                                                    Irish Sea [ICES Via)
                                                                           and Vila)]
                                                             3                                             37 mm
Crangonid shrimps       One 6,7 mm and              -                                                         -
(Crangon crangon)       size over (3)
Pandahd shrimps         One                  250 and less
(Pandalus borealis)     size -
fresh or
chilled
Pandahd shrimps           1                  160 and less
boiled or                 2                   161 to 250                                                      -
steamed
 Edible crab              1   16 cm and over(4)
(Cancer pagurus)          2   13to 16cm(4)|                                                                   -
 (*) Length of shell
 (**) Overall length
 (3) Width of shell
 (4) Width of shell at the widest point
                                                           15
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                     ISSN 0254-1475
                                                             COM(96) 157 final
                                              DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                             03
                                     Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-169-EN-C
                                                              ISBN 92-78-02624-7
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
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