Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as regards fishing for Baltic cod

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 fixes 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 for 2004. An amendment of the Regulation is required following decisions recently reached in the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission (IBSFC) to reduce the period for a ban on fishing for cod in the Baltic Sea from 1 June to 31 August 2004 to 15 June to 15 August 2004.

The present proposal intends to introduce the necessary amendments to Annexe IV to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003.

The Commission is asked to adopt this proposal as soon as possible in order to allow fishermen to plan their activities for this fishing season and forward it to the Council.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 as regards fishing for Baltic cod

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 thereof,

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [2],

[2] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) The International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission (IBSFC) adopted a recommendation in May 2004 to reduce the period for a ban on fishing for cod in the Baltic Sea from 1 June to 31 August 2004 inclusive to 15 June to 15 August 2004 inclusive. 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 fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where limitations in catch are required [3] should therefore be amended accordingly,

[3] OJ L 344 , 31.12.2003 p. 1

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Point 4 of Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 2287/2003 is replaced by the following:

' 4. Summer ban for the Baltic cod

Fishing for cod shall be prohibited in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound from 15 June 2004 to 15 August 2004 inclusive. '

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.

It shall apply from 1 June 2004.

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President