Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy^f1, and in particular Article 21(3) thereof,

Whereas:

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^f2 lays down quotas for common sole for 2004.

In order to ensure compliance with the provisions relating to the quantity limits on catches of stocks subject to quotas, the Commission must fix the date by which catches made by vessels flying the flag of a Member State are hereby deemed to have exhausted the quota allocated.

According to the information received by the Commission, catches of common sole in the waters of ICES division VIIe by vessels flying the flag of Belgium or registered in Belgium have exhausted the quota allocated for 2004. Belgium has prohibited fishing for this stock from 17 July 2004. This date should be adopted in this Regulation also,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: