52004PC0797

Brussels, 10.12.2004

COM(2004) 797 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as concerns fishing opportunities for herring in the Baltic Sea

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 fixes for 2004 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required.

An amendment of the Regulation is required following the adoption in September 2004 of a recommendation in the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission (IBSFC) to increase the fishing possibilities for herring by 10 000 tonnes in Management Unit 3.

The Council is requested to adopt this proposal as soon as possible in order to allow fishermen to plan their activities for this fishing season.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as concerns fishing opportunities for herring in the Baltic Sea

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy [1], and in particular Article 20(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The international Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission (IBSFC) adopted a recommendation in September 2004 to increase the fishing opportunities for herring by 10 000 tonnes in Management Unit 3. Implementation of that recommendation in the Community legal order should be ensured.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 of 19 December 2003 fixing for 2004 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of stocks, applicable in Community waters and for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required[2] should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex IA to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

In Annex IA to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003

the entry concerning the species Herring in Management Unit 3 is replaced by the following:

+++++ TABLE +++++

“

[1] OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.

[2] OJ L 344, 31.12.2003. p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1645/2004 (OJ L 296, 21.9.2004, p. 3).