Article 1 Subject-matter and scope
1. This Regulation establishes a multiannual plan (‘the plan’) for the demersal stocks listed below, including deep-sea stocks, in the Western Waters, and, where those stocks extend beyond the Western Waters, in their adjacent waters, and for the fisheries exploiting those stocks: (1) black scabbardfish ( Aphanopus carbo ) in ICES subareas 1, 2, 4, 6–8, 10 and 14 and divisions 3a, 5a, 5b, 9a and 12b; (2) roundnose grenadier ( Coryphaenoides rupestris ) in ICES subareas 6 and 7 and division 5b; (3) seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) in ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 7a, 7d–h, 8a and 8b; (4) seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) in ICES divisions 6a, 7b and 7j; (5) seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) in ICES divisions 8c and 9a; (6) cod ( Gadus morhua ) in ICES division 7a; (7) cod ( Gadus morhua ) in ICES divisions 7e–k; (8) megrims ( Lepidorhombus spp.) in ICES divisions 4a and 6a; (9) megrims ( Lepidorhombus spp.) in ICES division 6b; (10) megrims ( Lepidorhombus spp.) in ICES divisions 7b–k, 8a, 8b and 8d; (11) megrims ( Lepidorhombus spp.) in ICES divisions 8c and 9a; (12) anglerfish ( Lophiidae ) in ICES divisions 7b–k, 8a, 8b and 8d; (13) anglerfish ( Lophiidae ) in ICES divisions 8c and 9a; (14) haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) in ICES division 6b; (15) haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) in ICES division 7a; (16) haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) in ICES divisions 7b–k; (17) whiting ( Merlangius merlangus ) in ICES divisions 7b, 7c and 7e–k; (18) whiting (Merlangius merlangus ) in ICES subarea 8 and division 9a; (19) hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) in ICES subareas 4, 6 and 7 and divisions 3a, 8a, 8b and 8d; (20) hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) in ICES divisions 8c and 9a; (21) blue ling ( Molva dypterygia ) in ICES subareas 6 and 7 and division 5b; (22) Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) by functional unit in ICES subarea 6 and division 5b: — in North Minch (FU 11); — in South Minch (FU 12); — in Firth of Clyde (FU 13); — in division 6a, outside the functional units (West of Scotland); (23) Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) by functional unit in ICES subarea 7: — in Irish Sea East (FU 14); — in Irish Sea West (FU 15); — in Porcupine Banks (FU 16); — in Aran grounds (FU 17); — in the Irish Sea (FU 19); — in the Celtic Sea (FU 20-21); — in the Bristol Channel (FU 22); — outside the functional units (Southern Celtic Sea, Southwest of Ireland); (24) Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) by functional unit in ICES divisions 8a, 8b, 8d and 8e: — in Northern and Central Bay of Biscay (FU 23-24); (25) Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) by functional unit in ICES subareas 9 and 10, and CECAF zone 34.1.1: — in Atlantic Iberian waters East, Western Galicia and Northern Portugal (FU 26-27); — in Atlantic Iberian waters East and Southwestern and Southern Portugal (FU 28-29); — in Atlantic Iberian waters East and the Gulf of Cádiz (FU 30); (26) red seabream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ) in ICES subarea 9; (27) plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) in ICES division 7d; (28) plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) in ICES division 7e; (29) pollack ( Pollachius pollachius ) in ICES subareas 6 and 7; (30) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES subareas 5, 12 and 14 and division 6b; (31) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES division 7d; (32) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES division 7e; (33) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES divisions 7f and 7g; (34) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES divisions 7h, 7j and 7k; (35) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES divisions 8a and 8b; (36) common sole ( Solea solea ) in ICES divisions 8c and 9a. Where scientific advice, in particular that of ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level, indicates a change in the geographical distribution of the stocks listed in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the Commission may adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 amending this Regulation by adjusting the areas specified in the first subparagraph of this paragraph in order to reflect that change. Such adjustments shall not extend the stock areas beyond Union waters of ICES subareas 4 to 10, and the CECAF zones 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2.0. 2. Where, on the basis of scientific advice, the Commission considers that the list of stocks set out in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 needs to be amended, the Commission may submit a proposal for the amendment of that list. 3. With respect to adjacent waters covered in paragraph 1 of this Article, only Articles 4 and 7 and the measures related to fishing opportunities under Article 8 of this Regulation shall apply. 4. This Regulation also applies to by-catches caught in the Western Waters when fishing for the stocks listed in paragraph 1. However, where ranges of F MSY and safeguards linked to biomass for those stocks are established under other Union legal acts establishing multiannual plans, those ranges and safeguards shall apply. 5. This Regulation also specifies details for the implementation of the landing obligation in Union waters of the Western Waters for all stocks of species to which the landing obligation applies under Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. 6. This Regulation provides for technical measures, as set out in Article 9, applicable in the Western Waters in respect of any stock.
Article 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply in addition to those laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 ( 16 ) and Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 ( 17 ) : (1) ‘Western Waters’ means the North Western Waters (ICES subareas 5 (excluding division 5a and only Union waters of division 5b), 6 and 7) and the South Western Waters (ICES subareas 8, 9 and 10 (waters around Azores), and CECAF zones 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2.0 (waters around Madeira and the Canary Islands)); (2) ‘range of F MSY ’ means a range of values provided in the best available scientific advice, in particular from ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level, where all levels of fishing mortality within that range result in maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in the long term with a given fishing pattern and under current average environmental conditions without significantly affecting the reproduction process for the stock in question. It is derived to deliver no more than a 5 % reduction in long-term yield compared to the MSY. It is capped so that the probability of the stock falling below the limit spawning stock biomass reference point (B lim ) is no more than 5 %; (3) ‘MSY F lower ’ mean the lowest value within the range of F MSY ; (4) ‘MSY F upper ’ mean the highest value within the range of F MSY ; (5) ‘F MSY point value’ is the value of the estimated fishing mortality that with a given fishing pattern and under current average environmental conditions gives the long-term maximum yield; (6) ‘lower range of F MSY ’ means a range that contains values from MSY F lower to F MSY point value; (7) ‘upper range of F MSY ’ means a range that contains values from F MSY point value up to MSY F upper ; (8) ‘B lim ’ means the spawning stock biomass reference point provided for in the best available scientific advice, in particular by ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level, below which there may be reduced reproductive capacity; (9) ‘MSY B trigger ’ means the spawning stock biomass reference point, or, in the case of Norway lobster, abundance reference point provided for in the best available scientific advice, in particular from ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level, below which specific and appropriate management action is to be taken to ensure that exploitation rates in combination with natural variations rebuild stocks above levels capable of producing MSY in the long term.
Article 3 Objectives
1. The plan shall contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the common fisheries policy listed in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, in particular by applying the precautionary approach to fisheries management, and shall aim to ensure that exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested species above levels which can produce MSY. 2. The plan shall contribute to the elimination of discards, by avoiding and reducing, as far as possible, unwanted catches, and to the implementation of the landing obligation established in Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 for the species which are subject to catch limits and to which this Regulation applies. 3. The plan shall implement the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management in order to ensure that negative impacts of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem are minimised. It shall be coherent with Union environmental legislation, in particular with the objective of achieving good environmental status by 2020 as set out in Article 1(1) of Directive 2008/56/EC. 4. In particular, the plan shall aim to: (a) ensure that the conditions described in descriptor 3 contained in Annex I to Directive 2008/56/EC are fulfilled; (b) contribute to the fulfilment of other relevant descriptors contained in Annex I to Directive 2008/56/EC in proportion to the role played by fisheries in their fulfilment; and (c) contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in Articles 4 and 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC and Articles 6 and 12 of Directive 92/43/EEC, in particular to minimise the negative impact of fishing activities on vulnerable habitats and protected species. 5. Measures under the plan shall be taken in accordance with the best available scientific advice. Where there is insufficient data, a comparable degree of conservation of the relevant stocks shall be pursued.
Article 4 Targets
1. The target fishing mortality, in line with the ranges of F MSY defined in Article 2, shall be achieved as soon as possible, and on a progressive, incremental basis by 2020 for the stocks listed in Article 1(1), and shall be maintained thereafter within the ranges of F MSY , in accordance with this Article. 2. The ranges of F MSY based on the plan shall be requested in particular from ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level. 3. In accordance with Article 16(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, when the Council fixes fishing opportunities for a stock, it shall establish those opportunities within the lower range of F MSY available at that time for that stock. 4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 3, fishing opportunities for a stock may be fixed at levels that are lower than the ranges of F MSY . 5. Notwithstanding paragraphs 3 and 4, fishing opportunities for a stock may be fixed in accordance with the upper range of F MSY available at that time for that stock, provided that the stock referred to in Article 1(1) is above MSY B trigger : (a) if, on the basis of scientific advice or evidence, it is necessary for the achievement of the objectives laid down in Article 3 in the case of mixed fisheries; (b) if, on the basis of scientific advice or evidence, it is necessary to avoid serious harm to a stock caused by intra- or inter-species stock dynamics; or (c) in order to limit variations in fishing opportunities between consecutive years to not more than 20 %. 6. Where ranges of F MSY cannot be determined for a stock listed in Article 1(1) because of a lack of adequate scientific information, that stock shall be managed in accordance with Article 5 until ranges of F MSY are available pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article. 7. Fishing opportunities shall in any event be fixed in such a way as to ensure that there is less than a 5 % probability of the spawning stock biomass falling below B lim .
Article 5 Management of by-catch stocks
1. Management measures for the stocks referred to in Article 1(4) including, where appropriate, fishing opportunities shall be set taking into account the best available scientific advice and shall be consistent with the objectives laid down in Article 3. 2. The stocks referred to in Article 1(4) shall be managed under the precautionary approach to fisheries management as defined in point 8 of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 when no adequate scientific information is available, and in accordance with Article 3(5) of this Regulation. 3. In accordance with Article 9(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the management of mixed fisheries with regard to stocks referred to in Article 1(4) of this Regulation shall take into account the difficulty of fishing all stocks at MSY at the same time, especially in situations where that leads to a premature closure of the fishery.
Article 6 Limitation of variations in fishing opportunities for a stock
A relevant Advisory Council may recommend to the Commission a management approach that seeks to limit year-to-year variations in the fishing opportunities for a particular stock listed in Article 1(1). The Council may take any such recommendations into account when fixing fishing opportunities provided that these fishing opportunities comply with Articles 4 and 8.
Article 7 Conservation reference points
The following conservation reference points to safeguard the full reproductive capacity of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) shall, based on the plan, be requested in particular from ICES or a similar independent scientific body recognised at Union or international level: (a) MSY B trigger for stocks referred to in Article 1(1); (b) B lim for stocks referred to in Article 1(1).
Article 8 Safeguards
1. When scientific advice indicates that for a given year the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance of any of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) is below the MSY B trigger , all appropriate remedial measures shall be adopted to ensure rapid return of the stock or functional unit concerned to levels above those capable of producing MSY. In particular, notwithstanding Article 4(3), fishing opportunities shall be set at levels consistent with a fishing mortality that is reduced below the upper range of F MSY , taking into account the decrease in biomass. 2. When scientific advice indicates that the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance of any of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) is below the B lim , further remedial measures shall be taken to ensure rapid return of the stock or functional unit concerned to levels above the level capable of producing MSY. In particular, those remedial measures may include, notwithstanding Article 4(3), suspending the targeted fishery for the stock or functional unit concerned and the adequate reduction of fishing opportunities. 3. Remedial measures referred to in this Article may include: (a) emergency measures in accordance with Articles 12 and 13 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013; (b) measures pursuant to Article 9 of this Regulation. 4. The choice of measures referred to in this Article shall be made in accordance with the nature, seriousness, duration and repetition of the situation where the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance is below the levels referred to in Article 7.
Article 9 Technical measures
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 of this Regulation and Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 in order to supplement this Regulation regarding the following technical measures: (a) specifications of characteristics of fishing gears and rules governing their use, to ensure or improve selectivity, to reduce unwanted catches or to minimise the negative impact on the ecosystem; (b) specifications of modifications or additional devices to the fishing gears, to ensure or improve selectivity, to reduce unwanted catches or to minimise the negative impact on the ecosystem; (c) limitations or prohibitions on the use of certain fishing gears and on fishing activities in certain areas or periods to protect spawning fish, fish below the minimum conservation reference size or non-target fish species, or to minimise the negative impact on the ecosystem; and (d) the fixing of minimum conservation reference sizes for any of the stocks to which this Regulation applies, to ensure the protection of juveniles of marine organisms. 2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3.
Article 10 Fishing opportunities
1. When allocating fishing opportunities available to them in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, Member States shall take account of the likely catch composition of vessels participating in mixed fisheries. 2. Member States may, after notifying the Commission, exchange all or part of the fishing opportunities allocated to them pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. 3. Without prejudice to Article 8, the TAC for the stocks of Norway lobster in the Western Waters may be established for management areas corresponding to each of the areas defined under points 22 to 25 of the first subparagraph of Article 1(1). In such cases, the TAC for a management area may be the sum of the catch limits of those functional units and of the statistical rectangles outside the functional units.
Article 11 Recreational fisheries
1. When scientific advice indicates that recreational fishing is having a significant impact on the fishing mortality of a stock referred to in Article 1(1), the Council may set non-discriminatory limits for recreational fishermen. 2. When setting the limits referred to in paragraph 1, the Council shall refer to transparent and objective criteria, including those of environmental, social and economic nature. The criteria used may include, in particular, the impact of recreational fishing on the environment, the societal importance of that activity and its contribution to the economy in coastal areas. 3. Where appropriate, Member States shall take the necessary and proportionate measures for the monitoring and collection of data for a reliable estimation of the actual recreational catch levels.
Article 12 Effort limitation for sole in the Western Channel
1. The TACs for sole in the Western Channel (ICES division 7e) under the plan shall be complemented by fishing effort limitations. 2. When fixing the fishing opportunities, the Council shall decide annually on the maximum number of days at sea for vessels present in the Western Channel and deploying beam trawls of mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm and for vessels in the Western Channel deploying static nets with mesh size equal to or less than 220 mm. 3. The maximum number of days at sea referred to in paragraph 2 shall be adjusted in the same proportion as the adjustment in fishing mortality corresponding to the variation in the TACs.
Article 13 Provisions linked to the landing obligation in Union waters of the Western Waters
1. For all stocks of species in the Western Waters to which the landing obligation applies under Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 of this Regulation and Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 in order to supplement this Regulation by specifying details of that obligation as provided for in points (a) to (e) of Article 15(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. 2. The landing obligation provided for in Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall not apply to recreational fishing, including in cases where the Council sets limits in accordance with Article 11 of this Regulation.
Article 14 Fishing authorisations and capacity ceilings
1. For each of the ICES zones referred to in Article 1(1) of this Regulation, each Member State shall issue fishing authorisations in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 for vessels flying its flag and which engage in fishing activities in that area. In such fishing authorisations, Member States may also limit the total capacity of such vessels using a specific gear. 2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 18 of this Regulation and Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 supplementing this Regulation by setting limits regarding the total capacity of the fleets of the Member States concerned so as to facilitate achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3 of this Regulation. 3. Each Member State shall establish and maintain a list of vessels holding the fishing authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 and make it available on its official website to the Commission and the other Member States.
Article 15 Principles and objectives of management of stocks of common interest to the Union and third countries
1. Where stocks of common interest are also exploited by third countries, the Union shall engage with those third countries with a view to ensuring that those stocks are managed in a sustainable manner that is consistent with the objectives of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, in particular Article 2(2) thereof, and of this Regulation. Where no formal agreement is reached, the Union shall make every effort to reach common arrangements for fishing of such stocks with a view to making the sustainable management possible thereby promoting a level-playing field for Union operators. 2. In the context of the joint management of stocks with third countries, the Union may exchange fishing opportunities with third countries pursuant to Article 33(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Article 16 Regional cooperation
1. Article 18(1) to (6) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply to measures referred to in Articles 9 and 13 and Article 14(2) of this Regulation. 2. For the purpose of paragraph 1 of this Article, Member States having a direct management interest in the North Western waters may submit joint recommendations for the North Western Waters and Member States having direct management interest in the South Western Waters may submit joint recommendations for the South Western Waters. Those Member States may also together submit joint recommendations for the whole of those waters. Those recommendations shall be submitted in accordance with Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 for the first time not later than 27 March 2020 and thereafter 12 months after each submission of the evaluation of the plan in accordance with Article 17 of this Regulation. The Member States concerned may also submit such recommendations when necessary, in particular in the event of a change in the situation of any of the stocks to which this Regulation applies, or to tackle emergency situations identified by the latest scientific advice. Joint recommendations in respect of measures concerning a given calendar year shall be submitted not later than 1 July of the previous year. 3. The empowerments granted under Articles 9 and 13 and Article 14(2) of this Regulation shall be without prejudice to powers conferred to the Commission under other provisions of Union law, including under Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Article 17 Evaluation of the plan
By 27 March 2024, and every five years thereafter, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the results and impact of the plan on the stocks to which this Regulation applies and on the fisheries exploiting those stocks, in particular as regards the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3.
Article 18 Exercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 1(1), Articles 9 and 13 and Article 14(2) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 26 March 2019. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period. 3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 1(1), Articles 9 and 13 and Article 14(2) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. 5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 1(1), Articles 9 and 13 and Article 14(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Article 19 Support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
Temporary cessation measures adopted in order to achieve the objectives of the plan shall be deemed as temporary cessation of fishing activities for the purposes of points (a) and (c) of Article 33(1) of Regulation (EU) No 508/2014.
Article 22 Repeals
1. The following Regulations are repealed: (a) Regulation (EC) No 811/2004; (b) Regulation (EC) No 2166/2005; (c) Regulation (EC) No 388/2006; (d) Regulation (EC) No 509/2007; (e) Regulation (EC) No 1300/2008. 2. References made to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Article 23 Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .