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Vulnerable marine ecosystems: protection from bottom fishing on the high seas
Vulnerable marine ecosystems: protection from bottom fishing on the high seas
Vulnerable marine ecosystems: protection from bottom fishing on the high seas
Vulnerable marine ecosystems: protection from bottom fishing on the high seas
SUMMARY OF:
Regulation (EC) No 734/2008 — protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
It sets out the rules for fishing vessels, registered in European Union (EU) countries, using bottom fishing gears* on the high seas outside areas regulated by regional fisheries management organisations or where such organisations have not adopted measures for these fisheries.
KEY POINTS
Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs)
Scope
The regulation applies to vessels carrying out fishing activities with bottom fishing gears:
Special fishing permits
Bottom fishing activities are only authorised when they present no risk of damaging vulnerable marine ecosystems. EU-registered vessels using bottom fishing gears in these areas must obtain a special fishing permit. Applications must include a detailed fishing plan specifying:
Permits are issued by the country in which the vessel is registered. The responsible authorities of that country must:
Area closures
In line with UN General Assembly Resolution 61/105 of 2006, EU countries must identify areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems occur or are likely to occur on the basis of the best scientific information available, and close these areas to fishing with bottom gears. The Commission must be informed of any closures and must then inform the other EU countries.
Monitoring
Observers monitor the activities of vessels granted a special fishing permit until the fishing plan is completed. During this period, observers must:
A report must be sent to the competent authorities in the EU country concerned within 20 days of the mission ending. A copy is sent to the Commission.
FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY
It has applied since 31 July 2008.
* KEY TERMS
Bottom gears: gears used in the normal course of fishing operations in contact with the seabed, including bottom trawls, dredges, bottom-set gill nets, bottom-set longlines, pots and traps.
Straddling fish stocks: fisheries resources that migrate between the economic exclusion zones (i.e. a sea zone over which a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources) and the high seas.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Council Regulation (EC) No 734/2008 of 15 July 2008 on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas from the adverse impacts of bottom fishing gears (OJ L 201, 30.7.2008, pp. 8–13)
last update 04.10.2016