Council declaration of 30 May 1980 on the common fisheries policy

1. The Council agrees that the completion of the common fisheries policy is a concomitant part of the solution of the problems with which the Community is confronted at present. To this end the Council undertakes to adopt, in parallel with the application of the decisions which will be taken in other areas, the decisions necessary to ensure that a common overall fisheries policy is put into effect at the latest on 1 January 1981.

2. In compliance with the Treaties and in conformity with the Council Resolution of 3 November 1976 (the "Hague agreement"), this policy should be based on the following guidelines: (a) rational and non-discriminatory Communitymeasures for the management of resources andconservation and reconstitution of stocks so as toensure their exploitation on a lasting basis inappropriate social and economic conditions;

(b) fair distribution of catches having regard, mostparticularly, to traditional fishing activities, to thespecial needs of regions where the local populationsare particularly dependent upon fishingand the industries allied thereto (1), and to theloss of catch potential in third country waters;

(c) effective controls on the conditions applying tofisheries;

(d) adoption of structural measures which include afinancial contribution by the Community;

(e) establishment of securely-based fisheries relationswith third countries and implementation ofagreements already negotiated. In addition,endeavours should be made to conclude furtheragreements on fishing possibilities, in which theCommunity - subject to the maintenance ofstability on the Community market - could alsooffer trade concessions.

3. Furthermore, Article 103 of the Act of Accession shall be applied in conformity with the objectives and provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, with the Act of Accession, inter alia Articles 100 to 102, and with the Council Resolution of 3 November 1976, and in particular Annex VII thereto.

4. The Council agrees to resume its examination of the Commission proposals for Regulations under (a) (technical conservation measures) and (c) (control) at its meeting on 16 June 1980, and also on this occasion to begin examination of other proposals, including a proposal on quotas for 1980 which the Commission undertakes to submit in good time. (1) See paragraphs 3 and 4 of Annex VII to the Council Resolution of 3 November 1976.