Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 of 27 June 1994 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean
Modified by
Council Regulation (EC) No 1075/96of 10 June 1996, 396R1075, June 15, 1996
Council Regulation (EC) No 782/98of 7 April 1998, 398R0782, April 15, 1998
Council Regulation (EC) No 1448/1999of 24 June 1999introducing transitional measures for the management of certain Mediterranean fisheries and amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94, 399R1448, July 2, 1999
Council Regulation (EC) No 812/2000of 17 April 2000amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean and Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms, 300R0812, April 20, 2000
Council Regulation (EC) No 2550/2000of 17 November 2000amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of marine resources in the Mediterranean, 300R2550, November 21, 2000
Council Regulation (EC) No 973/2001of 14 May 2001laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species, 301R0973, May 19, 2001
Council Regulation (EC) No 1626/94of 27 June 1994laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the MediterraneanTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the CommissionOJ No C 5, 9. 1. 1993, p. 6 andOJ No C 306, 12. 11. 1993, p. 10.,Having regard to the opinion of the European ParliamentOJ No C 255, 20. 9. 1993, p. 237.,Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee OJ No C 201, 26. 7. 1993, p. 27.,Whereas there has been no regulation at Community level of the conservation and management of fishery resources in the Mediterranean during the first 10 years of the common fisheries policy because the particular circumstances there lend themselves less easily to the application of rules analogous to those applying in the Atlantic and North Sea since 1983;Whereas, however, the time has now come to remedy the problems currently affecting resources in the Mediterranean by introducing a harmonized management system suited to the circumstances there, while taking into account existing national regulations and making adjustment to the latter, as required to protect stocks, in a balanced and, where appropriate progressive manner;Whereas the Community must also seek, in cooperation with all the coastal States concerned, to establish a common policy for the management and exploitation of Mediterranean fish stocks; whereas, furthermore, the management system introduced by this Regulation covers operations relating to the fishing of Mediterranean stocks carried out by vessels flying the flag of a third country in Community ports;Whereas gear which, when used in the Mediterranean, contributes excessively to the degradation of the marine environment or to the running-down of certain stocks should be prohibited; whereas part of the coastal zone should be reserved for the most selective gear used by small-scale fishermen, whereas, notwithstanding the geographical scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3094/86 of 7 October 1986 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resourcesOJ No L 288, 11. 10. 1986, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3919/92 (OJ No L 397, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1)., the provisions of that Regulation concerning drifting gill nets and purse seines are already applicable in the Mediterranean;Whereas it is appropriate to define the characteristics of the main types of fishing gear used in the Mediterranean, in particular minimum mesh sizes, as well as minimum sizes for certain species of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other fishery products specific to the Mediterranean in order to prevent their over-exploitation;Whereas, likewise, in order to avoid situations in which large numbers of undersized individuals are caught, it is necessary to protect certain zones where juveniles congregate, taking account of the local biological conditions in these various zones; whereas it is furthermore appropriate that, when regulating fisheries in the Mediterranean, both Community and national legislation should take into account the special needs of particular species and environments recognized to be fragile or endangered;Whereas, in order not to impede scientific research, this Regulation should not apply to any operations required for the purposes of such research;Whereas national measures supplementary to, or going beyond the minimum requirements of, the system established by this Regulation or measures regulating the relationships between those engaged in fishing activities should remain possible; whereas such measures may be maintained or introduced, subject to review by the Commission as regards their compatibility with Community law and their conformity with the common fisheries policy;Whereas, for a limited period and according to a procedure which ensures a minimum negative effect on resources and on the activities of Community fishermen, national measures authorized by the provisions of this Regulation should be accepted;Whereas Article 2 (2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquacultureOJ No L 389, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1., obliges Member States to ensure that non-commercial fisheries activities do not jeopardize the conservation and management of resources covered by the common fisheries policy; whereas this obligation is of particular importance in the Mediterranean owning to the considerable extent of such activities in that sea and whereas it is important to limit any negative affects thereof on the state of stocks;Whereas the Community is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which contains principles and rules governing the conservation and management of marine biological resources,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: