Commission Decision of 4 April 2007 declaring operational the Regional Advisory Council for the south-western waters under the common fisheries policy (2007/222/EC) in Scotland

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/585/EC of 19 July 2004 establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the common fisheries policy^f1, and in particular Article 3(3) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation transmitted by France on 9 February 2007 on behalf of Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Portugal,

Whereas:

Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the common fisheries policy^f2 and Decision 2004/585/EC provide the framework for the establishment and operation of Regional Advisory Councils.

Article 2 of Decision 2004/585/EC establishes a Regional Advisory Council to cover the south-western waters in International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) areas VIII, IX and X (waters around Azores) and CECAF divisions 34.1.1, 34.1.2. and 34.2.0 (waters around Madeira and the Canary Islands)^f3.

In accordance with Article 3(1) of Decision 2004/585/EC, representatives of the fisheries sector and other interests groups submitted a request concerning the operation of that Regional Advisory Council to Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

As required by Article 3(2) of Decision 2004/585/EC, the Member States concerned determined whether the application concerning the Regional Advisory Council for the south-western waters was in conformity with the provisions laid down in that Decision. On 9 February 2007, the Member States concerned transmitted a recommendation on that Regional Advisory Council to the Commission.

The Commission has evaluated the application by the interested parties and the recommendation in the light of Decision 2004/585/EC and the aims and principles of the common fisheries policy, and considers that the Regional Advisory Council for the south-western waters is ready to become operational,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: