Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 51/2006 of 22 December 2005 fixing for 2006 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 catch limitations are required^f1, and in particular Article 5(7) thereof,

Whereas:

Preliminary catch limits for sprat in ICES zones IIa (EC waters) and IV (EC waters) are laid down in Annex IA to Regulation (EC) No 51/2006.

Pursuant to Article 5(7) of that Regulation, the Commission may revise the catch limits in the light of scientific information collected during the first half of 2006.

In the light of the scientific information collected during the first half of 2006, the catch limits for sprat in the zones concerned should be reduced.

Regulation (EC) No 51/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: