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Document 02024R0259-20240111

    Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EU) 2024/259 of 10 January 2024 fixing for 2024 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

    ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/259/2024-01-11

    02024R0259 — EN — 11.01.2024 — 000.001


    This text is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. The Union's institutions do not assume any liability for its contents. The authentic versions of the relevant acts, including their preambles, are those published in the Official Journal of the European Union and available in EUR-Lex. Those official texts are directly accessible through the links embedded in this document

    ►B

    COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2024/259

    of 10 January 2024

    fixing for 2024 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

    (OJ L 259 11.1.2024, p. 1)


    Corrected by:

    ►C1

    Corrigendum, OJ L 90086, 7.2.2024, p.  1 ((EU) 2024/2592024/259)




    ▼B

    COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2024/259

    of 10 January 2024

    fixing for 2024 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas



    TITLE I

    GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Article 1

    Scope

    1.  

    This Regulation applies to Union fishing vessels operating in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and exploiting the following fish stocks:

    (a) 

    European eel (Anguilla anguilla), red coral (Corallium rubrum) and common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Mediterranean Sea;

    (b) 

    blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the western Mediterranean Sea;

    (c) 

    anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Adriatic Sea;

    (d) 

    European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), common sole (Solea solea), deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the Adriatic Sea;

    (e) 

    European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily;

    (f) 

    giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily, in the Ionian Sea and in the Levant Sea;

    (g) 

    blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Alborean Sea;

    (h) 

    sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the Black Sea.

    2.  
    This Regulation also applies to other Union fishing activities, including recreational fisheries, where they are expressly referred to in the relevant provisions.

    Article 2

    Definitions

    For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions laid down in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply:

    (a) 

    ‘international waters’ means waters falling outside the sovereignty or jurisdiction of any State;

    (b) 

    ‘recreational fisheries’ means non-commercial fishing activities exploiting marine living aquatic resources for recreation, tourism or sport;

    (c) 

    ‘total allowable catch’ (TAC) means:

    (i) 

    in fisheries subject to the exemption of the landing obligation referred to in Article 15(4) to (7) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the quantity of fish that can be landed from each stock each year;

    (ii) 

    in all other fisheries, the quantity of fish that can be caught from each stock over the period of a year;

    (d) 

    ‘quota’ means a proportion of the TAC allocated to the Union or a Member State;

    (e) 

    ‘Union autonomous quota’ means a catch limit autonomously allocated to Union fishing vessels in the absence of an agreed TAC;

    (f) 

    ‘analytical quota’ means a Union autonomous quota for which an analytical assessment is available;

    (g) 

    ‘analytical assessment’ means a quantitative evaluation of trends in a given stock, based on data about the stock’s biology and exploitation, which scientific review has indicated to be of sufficient quality to provide scientific advice on options for future catches;

    (h) 

    ‘fish aggregating device’ (FAD) means any anchored equipment floating on the sea surface with the objective of attracting fish.

    Article 3

    Fishing zones

    For the purposes of this Regulation, the following geographical zone definitions apply:

    (a) 

    ‘GFCM geographical subareas’ mean the areas defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 );

    (b) 

    ‘Mediterranean Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1 to 27, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (c) 

    ‘western Mediterranean Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (d) 

    ‘Adriatic Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 17 and 18, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (e) 

    ‘Strait of Sicily’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (f) 

    ‘Ionian Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 19, 20 and 21, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (g) 

    ‘Levant Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 24, 25, 26 and 27, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (h) 

    ‘Alboran Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1, 2 and 3, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124;

    (i) 

    ‘Black Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subarea 29, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/2124.

    TITLE II

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS

    CHAPTER I

    Mediterranean Sea

    Article 4

    European eel

    1.  
    This Article applies to the GFCM geographical subareas 1 to 27, to brackish waters and to freshwaters. Brackish waters include estuaries, coastal lagoons and transitional waters.
    2.  

    It shall be prohibited to engage in commercial fishing activities for European eel, either as a targeted species or as incidental by-catch, at all life stages for a period of at least six months. To that effect, each Member State concerned shall determine one or more closure periods subject to the following:

    (a) 

    where appropriate, the closure period or periods may differ within one Member State from one fishing area to another in order to take account of the geographical and temporal migration pattern of eel at its different life stages;

    (b) 

    the closure period or periods shall last either at least six consecutive months, or a total of six months in accordance with the conditions set out in paragraph 3; and

    (c) 

    the closure period or periods shall be consistent with the conservation objectives set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 ( 2 ), with national management plans in place and with the temporal migration patterns of European eel at the respective life stage in the Member State concerned.

    3.  
    The closure period shall be from 1 January to 31 March 2024, and an additional closure period of three months shall be established by each Member State concerned to take place between 1 April and 30 November 2024.
    4.  
    Recreational fisheries of European eel at all life stages shall be prohibited.
    5.  
    Member States shall implement additional measures to reduce the fishing mortality for European eel of an overall length of less than 12 cm. That reduction shall represent a decrease of at least 30 % compared to the reference period 2019–2021.
    6.  

    Each Member State concerned shall inform the Commission of:

    (a) 

    the closure period or closure periods that it has determined in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 by 1 March 2024;

    (b) 

    the national measures relating to the closure period or closure periods that it has determined in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 within two weeks after their adoption; and

    (c) 

    the measures established in accordance with paragraph 5 by 31 March 2024.

    Article 5

    Red coral

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities harvesting red coral (Corallium rubrum), namely targeted and recreational fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea.
    2.  
    For targeted fisheries, the maximum number of fishing authorisations and the maximum quantities of red coral stocks harvested by Union fishing vessels and Union harvesting activities shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex I.
    3.  
    It shall be prohibited for Union fishing vessels subject to paragraph 2 to tranship red coral at sea.
    4.  
    For recreational fisheries, Member States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit the catch and retention on board, transhipment or landing of red coral.

    Article 6

    Common dolphinfish

    1.  
    This Article applies to all commercial pelagic fishing activities by Union fishing vessels targeting common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) by using FADs in the Mediterranean Sea. It also applies to recreational fisheries of common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and gross tonnage (GT), of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for common dolphinfish is set out in Annex II.
    3.  
    The maximum number of FADs per vessel authorised to fish for common dolphinfish is set out in Annex II.
    4.  
    The maximum level of catches of common dolphinfish shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex II.
    5.  
    For recreational fisheries, the maximum number of catches shall be limited to 10 kg or five fish of any size per person per day, and during the period from 15 August to 31 December.

    CHAPTER II

    Western Mediterranean Sea

    Article 7

    Demersal stocks

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching demersal stocks referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 in the western Mediterranean Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum allowable fishing effort for trawlers and longliners is set out in Annex III to this Regulation. Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 and Articles 26 to 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
    3.  
    The allocation among Member States of maximum catch limits for Union fishing vessels in Union waters of the western Mediterranean Sea is also set out in Annex III.
    4.  

    The allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States, as set out in this Article and Annex III, shall fulfil the following conditions:

    (a) 

    it shall be in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

    (b) 

    it shall be without prejudice to:

    (i) 

    exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

    (ii) 

    deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

    (iii) 

    additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

    (iv) 

    quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or transferred under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

    (v) 

    deductions made pursuant to Articles 105, 106 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Article 8

    Compensation mechanism

    1.  

    For the fleet segment concerned, a Member State may grant in 2024 to vessels flying its flag an additional allocation of fishing days of 4,5 %, calculated in accordance with paragraph 4, provided that the vessel flying its flag fulfils one of the following conditions:

    (a) 

    the vessel uses a trawl net with 45 mm square-mesh codend in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of the juveniles of hake;

    (b) 

    the vessel uses a trawl net with a 50 mm square-mesh codend for deep-water fisheries in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of blue and red shrimps with a carapace length (CL) of less than 25 mm in geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and to reduce by at least 25 % catches of giant red shrimps with a CL of less than 35 mm in the geographical subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11;

    (c) 

    the vessel uses a regulated highly selective gear, the technical specifications of which result in, according to the scientific study by STECF, a reduction of at least 25 % of catches of juveniles of all demersal species or at least 20 % of catches of spawners of all demersal species compared to 2020, such as a sorting grid of at least 20 mm spacing;

    (d) 

    the Member State concerned has established temporary closure areas in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juveniles of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species;

    (e) 

    the Member State concerned has adopted a new minimum conservation reference size for hake of at least 26 cm, and has secured the enforcement of appropriate technical measures to comply with this minimum conservation reference size, in order to progressively reach the length at first maturity and improve hake stocks status;

    (f) 

    the Member State concerned has adopted a new minimum conservation reference size for blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) of at least 25 mm CL and for giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) of at least 35 mm CL, and has secured the enforcement of appropriate technical measures to comply with those minimum conservation reference sizes, in order to progressively reach the length at first maturity and improve stocks status;

    (g) 

    the Member State concerned has set a closure period of at least four continuous weeks for fishing activities with trawlers in the areas and periods recognised as important, on the basis of the best available scientific advice, for the protection of spawners of hake stocks; such areas shall also account for spatial patterns of spawners’ distribution, including depths from 150 m to 500 m; the periods of the temporary fishing closure shall be from February to March and from October to November;

    (h) 

    the Member State concerned has set a closure for fishing activities using twin trawlers;

    (i) 

    the Member State concerned has set a closure for fishing activity with trawlers at a depth higher than 800 m;

    (j) 

    the Member State concerned has established permanent closure areas in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juveniles of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species;

    (k) 

    the vessel uses a trawl with flying or mid-waters doors or other doors which reduce the contact of the doors and the gear with the seabed, to preserve the essential fish habitats of the demersal species;

    (l) 

    the Member State concerned has set a closure period of at least four continuous weeks for fishing activities with trawlers in the areas and periods recognised as important, on the basis of the best available scientific advice, for the protection of blue and red shrimp and/or giant red shrimp.

    2.  
    If a vessel fulfils two of the conditions set out in paragraph 1, a Member State may increase the additional allocation of fishing days to 5 %, calculated in accordance with paragraph 4.
    3.  
    If a vessel fulfils at least three of the conditions set out in paragraph 1, a Member State may increase the additional allocation of fishing days to 6 %, calculated in accordance with paragraph 4.
    4.  
    The additional allocation of fishing days shall be calculated from the maximum effort allowed in the baseline between 2015 and 2017 for the relevant fleet segment of the Member State concerned as from 1 January 2024.
    5.  
    The Member State concerned shall notify to the Commission the list of fishing vessels concerned by such an additional allocation of fishing days, as well as the related number of additional fishing days.
    6.  
    The Member State concerned shall also separately notify every month to the Commission the effort deployed to be counted against the additional allocation referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 by using the specific reporting codes for that allocation.
    7.  
    The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission, by 15 October at the latest, all available information related to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.

    Article 9

    Data recording and transmission

    1.  
    Member States shall record and transmit the fishing effort data to the Commission in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022.
    2.  
    When submitting fishing effort data to the Commission under paragraph 1, Member States shall use the fishing effort group codes set out in Annex III.

    CHAPTER III

    Adriatic Sea

    Article 10

    Small pelagic stocks

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Adriatic Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex IV.
    3.  
    The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in kW, GT and number, of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish small pelagic stocks is set out in Annex IV.
    4.  
    Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

    Article 11

    Demersal stocks

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), common sole (Solea solea), deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the Adriatic Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum allowable fishing effort for demersal stocks and the maximum fleet capacity within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex IV.
    3.  
    A Member State may amend its fishing effort allocation as set out in Annex IV by transferring fishing days across fishing effort groups of the same geographical area and/or gear, provided that it applies a national conversion factor which is supported by the best available scientific advice.
    4.  
    Member States shall manage the maximum allowable effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Article 12

    Data transmission

    When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks caught, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex IV of this Regulation.

    CHAPTER IV

    Strait of Sicily

    Article 13

    Demersal stocks

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily.
    2.  
    The maximum level of catches of deep-water rose shrimp shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex V.
    3.  
    The maximum allowable fishing effort for European hake and the maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article are set out in Annex V.
    4.  
    Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Article 14

    Deep-water shrimps

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily.
    2.  
    The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex V.
    3.  
    The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex V.

    Article 15

    Data transmission

    Where, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks caught, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex V of this Regulation.

    CHAPTER V

    Ionian Sea and Levant Sea

    Article 16

    Deep-water shrimps

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Ionian Sea and in the Levant Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex VI.
    3.  
    The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VI.

    CHAPTER VI

    Alboran Sea

    Article 17

    Blackspot seabream

    1.  
    This Article applies to commercial and recreational fishing with longlines and handlines by Union fishing vessels catching blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Alboran Sea.
    2.  
    The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VII.
    3.  
    The maximum number of longliners and handlines authorised to fish for blackspot seabream is set out in Annex VII.
    4.  
    For recreational fishing activities, the maximum number of catches shall be limited to one fish per fisher per day. The minimum conservation reference size of 40 cm for blackspot seabream shall apply to recreational fisheries in the Alboran Sea. Recreational fishing for that species shall be prohibited during the closure period of commercial fisheries set at national level.

    CHAPTER VII

    Black Sea

    Article 18

    Allocation of fishing opportunities for sprat

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the Black Sea.
    2.  
    The Union autonomous quota for sprat, the allocation of such quota among Member States and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in Annex VIII.
    3.  
    Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

    Article 19

    Allocation of fishing opportunities for turbot

    1.  
    This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the Black Sea.
    2.  
    The TAC for turbot applicable in Union waters in the Black Sea, the allocation of such TAC among Member States and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in Annex VIII.
    3.  
    Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

    Article 20

    Management of fishing effort for turbot

    ▼C1

    Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for turbot within the scope of Article 19, irrespective of the vessels’ length overall, shall not exceed 180 fishing days per year.

    ▼B

    Article 21

    Closure period for turbot

    It shall be prohibited for Union fishing vessels to carry out any fishing activity, including transhipment, retaining on board, landing and first sale, of turbot in Union waters in the Black Sea from 15 April to 15 June.

    Article 22

    Special provisions on allocations of fishing opportunities in the Black Sea

    ▼C1

    The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States as set out in Articles 18 and 19 shall be without prejudice to:

    ▼B

    (a) 

    exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

    (b) 

    deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

    (c) 

    deductions made pursuant to Articles 105 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Article 23

    Data transmission

    Where, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks of sprat and turbot caught in Union waters in the Black Sea, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex VIII of this Regulation.

    TITLE III

    FINAL PROVISIONS

    Article 24

    Entry into force and application

    This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    It shall apply from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

    This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.




    ANNEX I

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GFCM MULTIANNUAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RED CORAL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out the maximum allowable number of fishing authorisations and the maximum level of harvested quantities of red coral in the Mediterranean Sea.

    Reference to fishing zones are references to the GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Corallium rubrum

    COL

    Red coral



    Table 1

    Maximum number of fishing authorisations (*1)

    Member States

    Red coral COL

    Greece

    12

    Spain

    0  (*2)

    France

    32

    Croatia

    28

    Italy

    40

    (*1)   

    Representing number of vessels or divers, or both, or a pair of one diver with one vessel, authorised to harvest red coral.

    (*2)   

    In accordance with the current temporal ban until April 2024 for red coral fisheries established in Spanish waters, pending a further decision at the end of that period.



    Table 2

    Maximum level of harvested quantities expressed in tonnes live weight

    Species:

    Red coral

    Corallium rubrum

    Zone:

    Union waters in the Mediterranean Sea - GSAs 1-27

    COL/GF 1-27

    Greece

    1,844

     

     

    Spain

    0  (*1)

     

    France

    1,400

     

    Croatia

    1,226

     

    Italy

    1,378

     

    Union

    5,848

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (*1)   

    In accordance with the current temporal ban until April 2024 for red coral fisheries established in Spanish waters, pending a further decision at the end of that period.




    ANNEX II

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON DOLPHINFISH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out the maximum number, kW and GT of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for common dolphinfish by using FADs in the Mediterranean Sea and the maximum level of catches.

    References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Coryphaena hippurus

    DOL

    Common dolphinfish

    (a)   Maximum fleet capacity of vessels targeting common dolphinfish by using FADs in the Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 1-27)



    Member State

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Italy

    797

    67 925,37

    7 203

    Malta

    130

    16 662

    1 296,28

    Spain

    45

    2 105,73

    153,34

    (b)   Maximum number of FADs per vessel authorised to target common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 1-27)



    Member State

    Number of FADs per vessel

    Italy

    100

    Malta

    200

    Spain

    50

    (c)   Maximum level of catches in tonnes live weight caught in the Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 1-27) () 



    Species:

    Common dolphinfish

    Coryphaena hippurus

    Zone:

    Union and International waters of GFCM-GSAs 1-27

    (DOL/MED)

    Italy

    1 174

     

    Maximum level of catches

    Malta

    517

     

    Spain

    127

     

    Union

    1 818

     (*1)

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (*1)   

    This quota may be fished only between 15 August and 31 December 2024 in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124.




    ANNEX III

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF DEMERSAL STOCKS IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out the maximum allowable fishing effort (in fishing days) by stock groups, as defined in Article 2, point (13), of Regulation (EU) No 2019/1022, maximum catch limits and overall length of vessels for all types of trawls ( 3 ) and demersal longliners fishing for demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea.

    All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 and Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009.

    Reference to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    ARS

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    ARA

    Blue and red shrimp

    Merluccius merluccius

    HKE

    European hake

    Mullus barbatus

    MUT

    Red mullet

    Nephrops norvegicus

    NEP

    Norway lobster

    Parapenaeus longirostris

    DPS

    Deep-water rose shrimp

    1.   Maximum allowable fishing effort (in fishing days)

    (a)   Number of fishing days for trawlers in the Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7)



    Stock group

    Overall length of vessels

    Spain

    France

    Italy

    Fishing effort group code

    Additional allocation code

    Red mullet in GSAs 1, 5, 6 and 7; hake in GSAs 1, 5, 6 and 7; deep-water rose shrimp in GSAs 1, 5 and 6; Norway lobster in GSAs 5 and 6

    < 12 m

    1 507

    0

    0

    EFF1/MED1_TR1

    EFF1/MED1_TR1_AA

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    16 189

    0

    0

    EFF1/MED1_TR2

    EFF1/MED1_TR2_AA

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    30 375

    3 429

    0

    EFF1/MED1_TR3

    EFF1/MED1_TR3_AA

    ≥ 24 m

    10 698

    4 173

    0

    EFF1/MED1_TR4

    EFF1/MED1_TR4_AA

    Blue and red shrimp in GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7

    < 12 m

    0

    0

    0

    EFF2/MED1_TR1

    EFF2/MED1_TR1_AA

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    759

    0

    0

    EFF2/MED1_TR2

    EFF2/MED1_TR2_AA

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    7 690

    0

    0

    EFF2/MED1_TR3

    EFF2/MED1_TR3_AA

    ≥ 24 m

    6 173

    0

    0

    EFF2/MED1_TR4

    EFF2/MED1_TR4_AA

    (b)   Number of fishing days for trawlers in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11)



    Stock group

    Overall length of vessels

    Spain

    France

    Italy

    Fishing effort group code

    Additional allocation code

    Red mullet in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11; hake in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11; deep-water rose shrimp in GSAs 9, 10 and 11; Norway lobster in GSAs 9 and 10

    < 12 m

    0

    139

    1 969

    EFF1/MED2_TR1

    EFF1/MED2_TR1_AA

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    0

    556

    29 613

    EFF1/MED2_TR2

    EFF1/MED2_TR2_AA

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    0

    139

    19 915

    EFF1/MED2_TR3

    EFF1/MED2_TR3_AA

    ≥ 24 m

    0

    139

    2 658

    EFF1/MED2_TR4

    EFF1/MED2_TR4_AA

    Giant red shrimp in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11

    < 12 m

    0

    0

    326

    EFF2/MED2_TR1

    EFF2/MED2_TR1_AA

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    0

    0

    2 402

    EFF2/MED2_TR2

    EFF2/MED2_TR2_AA

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    0

    0

    1 934

    EFF2/MED2_TR3

    EFF2/MED2_TR3_AA

    ≥ 24 m

    0

    0

    259

    EFF2/MED2_TR4

    EFF2/MED2_TR4_AA

    (c)   Number of fishing days for demersal longliners in the Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7)



    Stock group

    Overall length of vessels

    Spain

    France

    Italy

    Fishing effort group code

    Hake in GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7

    < 12 m

    9 433

    6 432

    0

    EFF1/MED1_LL1

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    2 148

    93

    0

    EFF1/MED1_LL2

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    74

    0

    0

    EFF1/MED1_LL3

    ≥ 24 m

    29

    0

    0

    EFF1/MED1_LL4

    (d)   Number of fishing days for demersal longliners in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11)



    Stock group

    Overall length of vessels

    Spain

    France

    Italy

    Fishing effort group code

    Hake in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11

    < 12 m

    0

    1 650

    33 187

    EFF1/MED2_LL1

    ≥ 12 m and < 18 m

    0

    51

    4 748

    EFF1/MED2_LL2

    ≥ 18 m and < 24 m

    0

    0

    26

    EFF1/MED2_LL3

    ≥ 24 m

    0

    0

    0

    EFF1/MED2_LL4

    2.   Maximum catch limits for deep-water shrimp

    (a)   Fishing opportunities for blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7), expressed as maximum level of catches in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blue and red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    Zone:

    GSA 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7

    (ARA/GF1-7)

    Spain

    787

     

    Maximum level of catches

    France

    51

     

    Italy

    0

     

    Union

    838

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (b)   Fishing opportunities for blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11), expressed as maximum level of catches in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blue and red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    Zone:

    GSA 8, 9, 10 and 11

    (ARA/GF8-11)

    Spain

    0

     

    Maximum level of catches

    France

    9

     

    Italy

    236

     

    Union

    245

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     



    Species:

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    Zone:

    GSA 8, 9, 10 and 11

    (ARS/GF8-11)

    Spain

    0

     

    Maximum level of catches

    France

    5

     

    Italy

    344

     

    Union

    349

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     




    ANNEX IV

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE ADRIATIC SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out the fishing opportunities by stock or vessel effort groups and, where appropriate, the conditions functionally linked thereto, including the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish small pelagics.

    All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Reference to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Engraulis encrasicolus

    ANE

    Anchovy

    Merluccius merluccius

    HKE

    European hake

    Mullus barbatus

    MUT

    Red mullet

    Nephrops norvegicus

    NEP

    Norway lobster

    Parapenaeus longirostris

    DPS

    Deep-water rose shrimp

    Sardina pilchardus

    PIL

    Sardine

    Solea solea

    SOL

    Common sole

    1.   Small pelagic stocks – GSAs 17 and 18

    Maximum level of catches expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Small pelagic species (anchovy and sardine)

    Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus

    Zone:

    Union and International waters of GFCM-GSAs 17 and 18

    (SP1/GF 17-18)

    Italy

    30 672

     (*1)

    Maximum level of catches

    Croatia

    47 139

    TAC

    Not relevant

    (*1)   

    Concerning Slovenia, the quantities are based on the level of catches made in 2014, up to an amount that should not exceed 300 tonnes.

    Maximum fleet capacity of trawlers and purse seiners actively fishing for small pelagics



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Croatia

    PS

    249

    77 145,52

    18 537,72

    Italy

    PTM, OTM and PS

    685

    134 556,7

    25 852

    Slovenia (*1)

    PS

    4

    433,7

    38,5

    (*1)   

    The provision under paragraph 28 of GFCM/44/2021/20 shall not apply to national fleets of less than 10 purse seiners or pelagic trawlers actively fishing for small pelagic stocks, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers in 2014. In such case, the capacity of the active fleet may increase by not more than 50 % in number of vessels and in terms of gross tonnage (GT), gross registered tonnage (GRT) and kW.

    2.   Demersal stocks – GSAs 17 and 18

    Maximum allowable fishing effort (in fishing days) by types of trawls and fleet segment fishing for demersal stocks in GSAs 17 and 18 (Adriatic Sea)



     

     

     

     

     

    Fishing days 2024

    Gear type

    Geographical area

    Stocks concerned

    Overall length of vessels

    Effort group code

    Italy

    Croatia

    Slovenia

    Trawls (OTB)

    GFCM sub-areas 17 and 18

    Red mullet; hake; deep-water rose shrimp; and Norway lobster

    < 12 m

    EFF/MED3_OTB_TR1

    3 098

    9 864

     (*1)

    ≥ 12 m and < 24 m

    EFF/MED3_OTB_TR2

    69 625

    22 981

     (*1)

    ≥ 24 m

    EFF/MED3_OTB_TR3

    6 100

    2 063

     (*1)

    Beam trawls (TBB)

    GFCM sub-area 17

    Common sole

    < 12 m

    EFF/MED3_TBB_TR1

    194

    0

    0

    ≥ 12 m and < 24 m

    EFF/MED3_TBB_TR2

    3 635

    0

    0

    ≥ 24 m

    EFF/MED3_TBB_TR3

    3 614

    0

    0

    (*1)   

    Slovenia shall not exceed the effort limit of 3 000 fishing days per year in accordance with paragraph 13 of GFCM/43/2019/5.

    Maximum fleet capacity of bottom trawler and beam trawl vessels authorised for fishing demersal stocks



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Croatia

    OTB

    495

    79 867,99

    13 267,99

    Italy

    OTB and TBB

    1 363

    260 618,37

    47 148

    Slovenia (*1)

    OTB

    11

    1 813,00

    168,67

    (*1)   

    The provisions of paragraphs 9(c) and 28 of GFCM/43/2019/5 shall not apply to national fleets operating with trawls (OTB) and fishing for less than 1 000 days during the reference period mentioned in paragraph 9(c) of GFCM/43/2019/5. The fishing capacity of the active fleet operating with trawls (OTB) shall not increase by more than 50 % with respect to that reference period.




    ANNEX V

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE STRAIT OF SICILY

    The tables in this Annex set out the fishing opportunities by stock or vessel effort groups and, where appropriate, the conditions functionally linked thereto, including the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish demersal species and deep-water shrimp.

    All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Merluccius merluccius

    HKE

    European hake

    Parapenaeus longirostris

    DPS

    Deep-water rose shrimp

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    ARS

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    ARA

    Blue and red shrimp

    1.   Demersal Stocks

    (a)   Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish demersal stocks in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16)



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Cyprus

    OTB

    1

    265

    105

    Spain

    OTB

    1

    100

    118

    Italy

    OTB

    594

    144 175

    36 856

    Malta

    OTB

    15

    5 562

    2 007

    (b)   Maximum level of fishing effort (in fishing days), for bottom trawl vessels targeting European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16



    Member State

    Gear

    Vessel Length

    Effort group code

    Fishing days 2024

    CYP

    OTB

    T-12

    EFF4/MED4_OTB4

    51

    ITA

    OTB

    T-07

    EFF4/MED4_OTB1

    90

    ITA

    OTB

    T-10

    EFF4/MED4_OTB2

    188

    ITA

    OTB

    T-11

    EFF4/MED4_OTB3

    19 366

    ITA

    OTB

    T-12

    EFF4/MED4_OTB4

    3 657

    MLT

    OTB

    T-11

    EFF4/MED4_OTB3

    338

    MLT

    OTB

    T-12

    EFF4/MED4_OTB4

    165

    (c)   Maximum level of catches of deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Deep-water rose shrimp

    Parapenaeus longirostris

    Zone:

    GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

    (DPS/GF 12-16)

    Cyprus

    1

     

    Analytical catch limit

    Italy

    2 083

     

    Malta

    6

     

    Union

    2 090

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    2.   Deep-water shrimp

    (a)   Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13 14, 15 and 16)



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Cyprus

    OTB

    1

    265

    105

    Spain

    OTB

    2

    440,56

    218,78

    Italy

    OTB

    320

    93 756

    26 076

    Malta

    OTB

    15

    5 562

    2 007

    (b)   Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    Zone:

    GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

    (ARS/GF 12-16)

    Spain

    1

     

    Analytical catch limit

    Italy

    844

     

    Cyprus

    0

     

    Malta

    36

     

    Union

    881

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (c)   Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blue and red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    Zone:

    GSAs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

    (ARA/GF 12-16)

    Spain

    1

     

    Precautionary catch limit

    Italy

    98

     

    Cyprus

    0

     

    Malta

    2

     

    Union

    101

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     




    ANNEX VI

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE IONIAN SEA AND THE LEVANT SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks in the Ionian Sea and the Levant Sea.

    References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    ARS

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    ARA

    Blue and red shrimp

    1.   Ionian Sea

    (a)   Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21)



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Greece

    OTB

    240

    69 281

    23 101

    Italy

    OTB

    410

    95 996

    22 252

    Malta

    OTB

    15

    5 562

    2 007

    (b)   Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    Zone:

    GSAs 19, 20 and 21 (ARS/GF 19-21)

    Greece

    33

     

    Analytical catch limit

    Italy

    303

     

    Malta

    45

     

    Union

    381

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (c)   Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blue and red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    Zone:

    GSAs 19, 20 and 21 (ARA/GF 19-21)

    Greece

    14,5

     

    Analytical catch limit

    Italy

    242,5

     

    Malta

    0

     

    Union

    257

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    2.   Levant Sea

    (a)   Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawler vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27)



    Member State

    Gear

    Number of vessels

    kW

    GT

    Cyprus

    OTB

    6

    2 048

    618

    Italy

    OTB

    80

    37 192

    13 199

    (b)   Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Giant red shrimp

    Aristaeomorpha foliacea

    Zone:

    GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27 (ARS/GF 24-27)

    Italy

    46,4

     

    Precautionary catch limit

    Cyprus

    11,6

     

    Union

    58

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (c)   Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27) expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blue and red shrimp

    Aristeus antennatus

    Zone:

    GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27 (ARA/GF 24-27)

    Italy

    9,4

     

    Precautionary catch limit

    Cyprus

    5,6

     

    Union

    15

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     




    ANNEX VII

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE ALBORAN SEA

    (a)   Maximum level of catches carried out by longlines and handlines expressed in tonnes live weight



    Species:

    Blackspot seabream

    Pagellus bogaraveo

    Zone:

    Union waters in the Alboran Sea – GSAs 1, 2 and 3 (SBR/GF 1-3)

    Spain

    29,76

     

    Maximum level of catches

    Union

    29,76

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     

    (b)   Maximum number of longlines and handlines authorised for fishing in the Alboran Sea (GSAs 1, 2 and 3)



    Member State

    Blackspot seabream in GSAs 1, 2 and 3

    Spain

    82




    ANNEX VIII

    FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE BLACK SEA

    The tables in this Annex set out TACs and quotas expressed in tonnes live weight by stock and, where appropriate, the conditions functionally linked thereto.

    All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

    Reference to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

    For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:



    Scientific name

    Alpha-3 code

    Common name

    Sprattus sprattus

    SPR

    Sprat

    Scophthalmus maximus

    TUR

    Turbot



    Species:

    Sprat

    Sprattus sprattus

    Zone:

    Union waters in the Black Sea – GSA 29

    (SPR/F3742C)

    Bulgaria

    8 032,50

     

    Analytical TAC

    Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

    Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

    Romania

    3 442,50

     

    Union

    11 475

     

    TAC

    Not relevant

     



    Species:

    Turbot

    Scophthalmus maximus

    Zone:

    Union waters in the Black Sea – GSA 29

    (TUR/F3742C)

    Bulgaria

    95

     

    Analytical TAC

    Article 3(2) and 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

    Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

    Romania

    75

     

    Union

    170

     (*1)

    TAC

    857

     

    (*1)   

    No fishing activity, including transhipment, retaining on board, landing and first sale, shall be permitted from 15 April to 15 June 2024.



    ( 1 ) Regulation (EU) 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 on certain provisions for fishing in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Agreement area (OJ L, 2023/2124, 12.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2124/oj).

    ( 2 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel (OJ L 248, 22.9.2007, p. 17).

    ( 3 ) TBB, OTB, PTB, TBN, TBS, TB, OTM, PTM, TMS, TM, OTT, OT, PT, TX, OTP and TSP.

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