Council Regulation (EC) No 254/2002 of 12 February 2002 establishing measures to be applicable in 2002 for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa)

Council Regulation (EC) No 254/2002
of 12 February 2002
establishing measures to be applicable in 2002 for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(1),
Whereas:
(1) In November 1999, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicated that the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa) is at serious risk of collapse.
(2) Further advice from ICES indicates that quantities of mature cod in the Irish Sea have remained at a very low level during 2000 and 2001 and will continue to be low during 2002.
(3) Commission Regulation (EC) No 304/2000 of 9 February 2000 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa)(2) put in place measures to protect adult cod during the spawning season of 2000.
(4) Council Regulation (EC) No 300/2001 of 14 February 2001 establishing measures to be applied in 2001 for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa)(3) put in place measures to protect adult cod during the spawning season of 2001.
(5) During the period of application of previous measures, further scientific work was completed and practical experience has been gained which imply that the conditions applied in 2001 should be modified for 2002.
(6) In particular, the use of semi-pelagic trawls within the closed area should no longer be permitted and the use of separator trawls should be extended to a larger part of the closed area. As a consequence, it is no longer necessary to provide for observers to be present on the vessels using such gear.
(7) Measures laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 2549/2000 of 17 November 2000 establishing additional technical measures for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa)(4) regarding the insertion into beam trawls of panels of diamond-mesh netting material of large mesh size and insertion into otter trawls deployed for the capture of queen scallops of large mesh and square-mesh panels require to be amended to circumvent practical difficulties previously encountered.
(8) Given the urgency of the measures to be taken, this Regulation should enter into force without delay,