(1)

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 aims to progressively eliminate discards in all Union fisheries through the introduction of a landing obligation for catches of species subject to catch limits.

(2)

In order to implement the landing obligation, Article 15(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 empowers the Commission to adopt discard plans by means of a delegated act for a period of no more than three years on the basis of joint recommendations developed by Member States in consultation with the relevant Advisory Councils.

(3)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2375 (2), established a discard plan for certain demersal fisheries in North-Western waters for the period 2016-2018, following a joint recommendation submitted by Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in 2016.

(4)

Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have a direct fisheries management interest in North-Western waters. After consulting the North Western Waters Advisory Council, those Member States submitted on 31 May 2017 a new joint recommendation to the Commission concerning a discard plan for certain demersal and deep sea fisheries in North-Western Waters for the year 2018. Scientific contribution was obtained from relevant scientific bodies and reviewed by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) (3). The measures suggested by the new joint recommendation comply with Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and may therefore be included in this Regulation.

(5)

According to Article 15(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 the landing obligation applies in North-Western waters, at the latest from 1 January 2016, to species that define the fisheries which are subject to catch limits. The new joint recommendation specifies the fleets which are to comply with the landing obligation in the mixed fisheries for cod, haddock, whiting and saithe, in the fisheries for Norway lobster, in the mixed fishery for common sole and plaice and in the fisheries for hake, megrim and pollack.

(6)

In accordance with the new joint recommendation, the discard plan for the year 2018 should cover, in addition to the fisheries specified in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2375, (i.e. the highly mixed cod, haddock, whiting and saithe fishery, Norway lobster fishery, mixed common sole and plaice fishery, hake, megrim and pollack fisheries) the saithe fisheries in ICES divisions VI and Vb, and VII. By-catch species should also be covered in certain fisheries.

(7)

The new joint recommendation further suggests that the landing obligation be applied as from 2018 to deep sea fisheries using trawls and seines to catch black scabbard fish, blue ling and grenadiers in ICES subarea VI and ICES division Vb.

(8)

The new joint recommendation suggests, for the year 2018, a survivability exemption, as referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, for Norway lobster caught by pots, traps or creels in ICES division VI and subarea VII, taking into account the characteristics of the gear, of the fishing practices and of the ecosystem. The STECF concluded that the exemption is grounded. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(9)

The new joint recommendation suggests, for the year 2018, a survivability exemption, as referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, for common sole below the minimum conservation reference size caught by 80-99 mm otter trawl gears in ICES division VIId within six nautical miles from the coast and outside identified nurseries areas. The STECF has noted that the nursery areas referred to in the Regulation should be defined. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018 under the condition that Member States concerned undertake additional trials and provide for the information on the location of the nursey areas.

(10)

The new joint recommendation suggests, for the year 2018, seven de minimis exemptions from the landing obligation for certain fisheries and up to certain levels. The evidence provided by the Member States was reviewed by the STECF, which concluded that the joint recommendation contained reasoned arguments that further improvements in the selectivity are difficult to achieve and/or regarding disproportionate costs in handling unwanted catches, supported in some cases with a qualitative assessment of the costs. In light of the above and in the absence of differing scientific information, it is appropriate to include those de minimis exemptions in the discard plan for 2018 in accordance with the percentages proposed in the joint recommendation and at levels not exceeding those allowed under Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

(11)

The de minimis exemption suggested for whiting, up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines of less than 100 mm and pelagic trawls to catch whiting in ICES divisions VIId and VIIe, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve.

(12)

The de minimis exemption suggested for whiting, up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines of not less than 100 mm to catch whiting in ICES divisions VIIb-VIIj, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve.

(13)

The de minimis exemption suggested for whiting, up to a maximum of 6 % in 2018 of the total annual catches of this species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines of less than 100 mm to catch whiting in ICES subarea VII (excluding VIIa, VIId and VIIe), is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve.

(14)

As regards those three de minimis exemptions suggested for whiting, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2375 required Member States concerned to submit to the Commission additional scientific information supporting the exemptions. The STECF commented that, while complete evidence is still required, the additional information submitted addresses some concerns of the STECF. The STECF highlighted the need for a more coherent approach to this stock. Based on the scientific evidence reviewed by STEFC and considering that the evidence supporting the exemption has improved, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(15)

The de minimis exemption suggested for Norway lobster, up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels fishing for Norway lobster in ICES subarea VII, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve. STECF concluded that the exemption is grounded. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(16)

The de minimis exemption suggested for Norway lobster, up to a maximum of 2 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels fishing for Norway lobster in ICES subarea VI, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve and there is supporting quantitative information on disproportionate costs of handling unwanted catches. STECF concluded that the exemption is grounded. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(17)

The de minimis exemption suggested for common sole, up to a maximum 3 % of the total annual catches of this species by vessels using TBB gear with mesh size of 80-199 mm with increased selectivity in ICES divisions VIId, VIIe, VIIf, VIIg and VIIh, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve. STECF noted that the exemption is intended to compensate for the use of a more selective gear and to cover residual discards. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(18)

The de minimis exemption suggested for common sole, up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using trammel and gill nets to catch common sole in ICES divisions VIId, VIIe, VIIf and VIIg, is based on the fact that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve. STECF concluded that the exemption is well defined. Therefore, that exemption should be included in the discard plan for 2018.

(19)

The scope of certain provisions of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2375 is limited to the year 2017. That Regulation should therefore be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation with effect form 1 January 2018.

(20)

As the measures provided for in this Regulation have a direct impact on the planning of the fishing season of Union vessels and on related economic activities, this Regulation should enter into force immediately after its publication. It should apply from 1 January 2018,

(a)

for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land whiting and using bottom trawls and seines of less than 100 mm (OTB, SSC, OTT, PTB, SDN, SPR, TBN, TBS, TB, SX, SV, OT, PT and TX) and pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) to catch whiting in ICES divisions VIId and VIIe;

(b)

for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land whiting and using bottom trawls and seines of not less than 100 mm (OTB, SSC, OTT, PTB, SDN, SPR, TBN, TBS, TB, SX, SV OT, PT and TX) and pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) to catch whiting in ICES divisions VIIb-VIIj;

(c)

for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 6 % in of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land whiting and using bottom trawls and seines of less than 100 mm (OTB, SSC, OTT, PTB, SDN, SPR, TBN, TBS, TB, SX, SV OT, PT and TX) and pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) to catch whiting in ICES subarea VII, except divisions VIIa, VIId and VIIe;

(d)

for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), up to a maximum of 6 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land Norway lobster and fishing for Norway lobster in ICES subarea VII;

(e)

for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), up to a maximum of 2 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land Norway lobster and fishing for Norway lobster in ICES subarea VI;

(f)

for common sole (Solea solea), up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land common sole and using trammel and gill nets to catch common sole in ICES divisions VIId, VIIe, VIIf and VIIg;

(g)

for common sole (Solea solea), up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels obliged to land common sole and using TBB gear with mesh size of 80-199 mm with increased selectivity, such as a large mesh extension, to catch common sole in ICES divisions VIId, VIIe, VIIf, VIIg and VIIh.