Council Regulation (EC) No 1754/2003 of 22 September 2003 amending for the third time Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002 fixing for 2003 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 required

Council Regulation (EC) No 1754/2003
of 22 September 2003
amending for the third time Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002 fixing for 2003 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 required
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy(1), and in particular Article 20(1) and (4) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002(2) fixes the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of stocks applicable in Community waters and for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required for 2003. Amendments to the Regulation are required following recommendations recently made by the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC).
(2) In June 2003 the IBSFC made the following recommendations:
- the total allowable catch (TAC) for sprat in zone III b,c,d (EC waters) should be increased from 310000 tonnes to 341000 tonnes,
- the minimum mesh size for towed nets without an exit window when fishing for cod should be reduced from 140 to 130 mm from 1 October 2003,
- the minimum mesh opening of the window in a "top window codend Bacoma" should be reduced from 120 mm to 110 mm.
(3) The Contracting Parties of IBSFC agreed to allow for the implementation of the recommendations before the end of the objection period referred to in the Convention establishing IBSFC.
(4) It is necessary that the Community apply these measures immediately after the summer ban in order to avoid extra costs for the fishermen.
(5) However, scientific information indicates that towed nets without an exit window are less selective than the Bacoma type gear. It is therefore appropriate not to allow, within Community waters and for Community vessels, the use of towed gear without an exit window.
(6) Regulation (EC) No 2341/2002 should therefore be amended accordingly,