(1)

Regulation (EC) No 27/2005 (2) fixes for 2005 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.

(2)

Pursuant to new scientific advice, the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission has adopted a recommendation increasing the Community’s fishing opportunities for herring in Subdivisions 30 and 31 of the Baltic Sea by 15 000 tonnes to 86 856 tonnes. The increase should be implemented.

(3)

In accordance with corrected catch statistics, Lithuania should have access to fishing opportunities of 10 tonnes of Greenland halibut in Division IIa (Community waters) and Sub-areas IV, VI (Community waters and international waters). The corrected figure should therefore be implemented.

(4)

In order to contribute to the conservation of octopus and in particular to protect the juveniles, it is necessary to establish, in 2005, a minimum size of octopus from the maritime waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries and situated in the CECAF region pending the adoption of a Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (3).

(5)

Regulation (EC) No 27/2005 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

Given the urgency of the matter, it is imperative to grant an exception to the six-week period referred to in paragraph I(3) of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,