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Summaries of EU Legislation

Fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and Black Seas (2023)

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2023/195 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

  • It sets the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Seas for 2023.
  • It lists the definitions and the fishing zones that apply for the purposes of the regulation.

The regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2022/110 (see summary) on fishing opportunities in the same areas for 2022.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The regulation applies to European Union (EU) fishing vessels operating in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that make use of the following stocks:

  • red coral and common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea;
  • blue and red shrimp, deep-water rose shrimp, giant red shrimp, European hake, Norway lobster and red mullet in the western Mediterranean Sea;
  • anchovy, sardine, European hake, Norway lobster, common sole, deep-water rose shrimp and red mullet in the Adriatic Sea;
  • giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Strait of Sicily, the Ionian Sea and the Levant Sea;
  • blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea;
  • sprat and turbot in the Black Sea.

It also applies to recreational fisheries* where these are expressly referred to in the regulation.

The fishing opportunities covered by the regulation include:

  • catch limits for the year 2023;
  • fishing effort limits for the year 2023.

Total allowable catches

Total allowable catches (TACs), set out in the annexes, are determined annually by EU Member States based on proposals from the European Commission.

  • TACs refer to the maximum quantity of fish of different species that can be caught during the respective year.
  • They set limits according to the principle of sustainable use of the various stocks in line with maximum sustainable yield*.
  • The TACs are based on the best available scientific advice, taking into account biological and socioeconomic aspects while ensuring fair treatment between fishing sectors.
  • The TAC for each individual species is divided into quotas – proportions of the TAC assigned to the EU, its Member States or non-EU countries.
  • The catch and effort limits are in line with:
    • the multiannual management plan for demersal stocks* in the western Mediterranean Sea, adopted under Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 (see summary); and
    • the decisions of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) regarding red coral, dolphinfish, small pelagic species and demersal stocks in the Adriatic Sea, giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp stocks in the Ionian Sea, the Levant Sea and the Strait of Sicily, and the GFCM turbot multiannual management plan for the Black Sea.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2023.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

KEY TERMS

Recreational fisheries. Non-commercial fishing activities, such as recreation, tourism or sport, exploiting marine biological resources.
Maximum sustainable yield. The largest yield (catch) that can be taken from the stock of a species over an indefinite period (i.e. without endangering its survival).
Demersal stocks. Stocks of fish species that live on or close to the seabed.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EU) 2023/195 of 30 January 2023 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/110 as regards the fishing opportunities for 2022 applicable in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas (OJ L 28, 31.1.2023, pp. 220–248).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) 2023/195 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Council Regulation (EU) 2022/110 of 27 January 2022 fixing for 2022 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas (OJ L 21, 31.1.2022, pp. 165–186).

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 (OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, pp. 1–17).

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, pp. 22–61).

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea (OJ L 347, 30.12.2011, pp. 44–61).

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, pp. 1–50).

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, pp. 3–5).

See consolidated version.

last update 17.05.2023

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