Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 of 21 December 2006 fixing for 2007 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 catch limitations are required^f1, and in particular points 11.4 and 11.5 of Annex IIA,

Whereas:

Annex IIA to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 specifies inter alia the maximum number of days per year for which a Community vessel may be present within the Irish Sea having carried on board trawls, Danish seines and similar gears, except beam trawls.

Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 enables the Commission to allocate to Member States 6 or 12 additional days at sea within the Irish Sea on the basis of an enhanced data pilot project.

On 30 April 2007 Ireland and the United Kingdom submitted a joint proposal for such a project. The proposal was approved on 13 June 2007.

In view of the enhanced data pilot project, either 6 or 12 additional days at the Irish Sea should be allocated for vessels flying the flag of Ireland or the United Kingdom according to the mesh size of the fishing gear carried on board,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: