Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy^f1, and in particular Article 23(4) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas^f2, and in particular Articles 4(2) and 5(1),

Whereas:

Council Regulation (EC) No 2270/2004 of 22 December 2004 fixing for 2005 and 2006 the fishing opportunities for deep-sea fish stocks^f3 and Council Regulation (EC) No 27/2005 of 22 December 2004 fixing for 2005 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^f4, specify which stocks may be subject to the measures foreseen by Regulation (EC) No 847/96.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2270/2004, 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^f5 and Council Regulation (EC) No 52/2006 of 22 December 2005 fixing the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2006^f6 fix quotas for certain stocks for 2006.

Certain Member States have requested, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 847/96, that part of their quotas for 2005 be transferred to the following year. Within the limits indicated in that Regulation, the quantities withheld should be added to the quota for 2006.

On basis of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96, deductions from national quotas for 2006 should be made at a level equivalent to the quantity fished in excess. Those deductions shall be applied taking into account also the specific provisions governing stocks falling within the scope of Regional Fisheries Organisations.

Certain Member States have requested, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 847/96, permission to land additional quantities of fish of certain stocks in the year 2005. Those exceeding permitted landings should however be deducted from their quotas for 2006.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: