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Council Regulation (EC) No 1533/2007 of 17 December 2007 amending Regulations (EC) No 2015/2006 and (EC) No 41/2007, as regards fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks

EU Regulation No 1533/2007 · Adopted 17 December 2007 · Extends to United Kingdom

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise this item, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1533/2007

of 17 December 2007

amending Regulations (EC) No 2015/2006 and (EC) No 41/2007, as regards fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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 Policyf1, and in particular Article 20 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 423/2004 of 26 February 2004 establishing measures for the recovery of cod stocksf2, and in particular Article 8 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006f3 fixes for 2007 and 2008 the fishing opportunities for Community fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks.

(2)

The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) at its extraordinary meeting in June 2007 decided to extend the recommendations on a prohibition to fish for orange roughy in the NEAFC Regulatory Area during the second half of 2007. These recommendations should be implemented in Community law.

(3)

The conditions applying to the fishery in certain zones need to be clarified to ensure the correct application of the Agreement of 19 December 1966 between Norway, Denmark and Sweden on mutual access to fishing in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. An amendment is therefore required.

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 41/2007f4 fixes for 2007 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.

(5)

Pursuant to consultations between the Community and Iceland on 28 March 2007 an arrangement was reached on quotas for Icelandic vessels to be fished from the Community quota allocated under its Agreement with the Government of Denmark and the local Government of Greenland before 30 April 2007, and for Community vessels fishing for redfish in the Icelandic Exclusive Economic Zone to be fished between July and December. This arrangement should be implemented in Community law.

(6)

The conditions applying to the fishery in certain zones for a number of TACs need to be clarified to ensure the correct application of the Agreement of 19 December 1966 between Norway, Denmark and Sweden on mutual access to fishing in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. An amendment is therefore required.

(7)

In relation to the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotasf5, the scientific status of certain stocks should to be clarified.

(8)

Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 847/96, when more than 75 % of a precautionary TAC has been utilised before 31 October of the year of its application, a Member State with a quota for the stock for which that TAC has been fixed may request an increase in the TAC. Such a request by the Netherlands has been found to be justified in relation to the TAC for turbot and brill in EC waters of IIa and IV and should be implemented.

(9)

Pursuant to written consultations between the Community and the Faeroe Islands, agreement was reached on access as regards herring in EC and international waters of ICES zones I and II. This arrangement should be implemented in Community law.

(10)

In accordance with the Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and Greenlandf6, an additional amount of Greenland halibut was allocated to the Community in east Greenland in 2007. This arrangement should be implemented in Community law.

(11)

The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) at its extraordinary meeting in June 2007 adopted recommendations on conservation and management measures in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in 2007 for redfish in international waters of ICES zones I and II. These recommendations should be implemented in Community law.

(12)

The conditions for replaced or withdrawn vessels in relation to the allocation of additional days for permanent cessation of fishing activities should be clarified, as the reference to certain vessels concerned by fishing effort limitations is indicated incorrectly.

(13)

The derogation from hailing requirements in Annexes IIA, IIB and IIC to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 for vessels equipped with vessel monitoring systems in relation to fishing effort messages should be clarified.

(14)

The title of Annex IIB to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 should be corrected to ensure consistency with the scope of that Annex.

(15)

The indication of the length of passive gears should be changed from 2,5 kilometres to 5 nautical miles to ensure that safety in handling the nets is not impaired in view of the existing rules for the marking and identification of passive fishing gear in Commission Regulation (EC) No 356/2005 of 1 March 2005 laying down detailed rules for the marking and identification of passive fishing gear and beam trawlsf7 and certain specific rules on the use of gill nets.

(16)

Regulations (EC) No 2015/2006 and (EC) No 41/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 865/2007 (OJ L 192, 24.7.2007, p. 1).

f2

OJ L 70, 9.3.2004, p. 8. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 441/2007 (OJ L 104, 21.4.2007, p. 28).

f3

Council Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006 of 19 December 2006 fixing for 2007 and 2008 the fishing opportunities for Community fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks (OJ L 384, 29.12.2006, p. 28). Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 754/2007 (OJ L 172, 30.6.2007, p. 26).

f4

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 fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required (OJ L 15, 20.1.2007, p. 1). Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 898/2007 (OJ L 196, 28.7.2007, p. 22).

f5

OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p. 3.

f6

OJ L 172, 30.6.2007, p. 4.

f7

OJ L 56, 2.3.2005, p. 8. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1805/2005 (OJ L 290, 4.11.2005, p. 12).

Contents

  1. 1Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006
  2. 2Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007
  3. 3Entry into force
  4. Signature
  5. Annex IAnnex I
  6. Annex IIAnnex II

1Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006

Part 2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006 shall be amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.

2Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007

Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 is hereby amended as follows:

  1. 1..

    Article 10 shall be replaced by the following:

    ‘Access limits

    Article 10
    1.

    No fishing by Community vessels shall take place in the Skagerrak within 12 nautical miles from the baselines of Norway. However, vessels flying the flag of Denmark or Sweden shall be allowed to fish up to 4 nautical miles from the baselines of Norway.

    2.

    Fishing by Community vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of Iceland shall be limited to the area defined by straight lines sequentially connecting the following coordinates:

    • South-Western-Area

      1. 1..

        63° 12′ N and 23° 05′ W through 62° 00′ N and 26° 00′ W,

      2. 2..

        62° 58′ N and 22° 25′ W,

      3. 3..

        63° 06′ N and 21° 30′ W,

      4. 4..

        63° 03′ N and 21° 00′ W from there 180° 00′ S;

    • South-Eastern-Area

      1. 1..

        63° 14′ N and 10° 40′ W,

      2. 2..

        63° 14′ N and 11° 23′ W,

      3. 3..

        63° 35′ N and 12° 21′ W,

      4. 4..

        64° 00′ N and 12° 30′ W,

      5. 5..

        63° 53′ N and 13° 30′ W,

      6. 6..

        63° 36′ N and 14° 30′ W,

      7. 7..

        63° 10′ N and 17° 00′ W from there 180° 00′ S.’

  2. 2..

    Annexes IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIC and III to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 shall be amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.

3Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Signature

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 December 2007.

For the Council

The President

J. Silva

Annex I

Part 2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2015/2006, is hereby amended as follows:

  1. 1..

    the entry concerning the species roundnose grenadier in ICES zone IIIa and Community waters of IIIbcd shall be replaced by the following:

    Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId only.’
    ‘SpeciesRoundnose grenadierCoryphaenoides rupestris ZoneIIIa and Community waters of IIIbcd

    Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId only.’
    Year20072008
    Denmark1 002946
    Germany65f1
    Sweden5249
    EC1 0601 000
  2. 2..

    the entry concerning the species orange roughy in ICES zone VI (Community waters and waters not under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries) shall be replaced by the following:

    ‘

    SpeciesOrange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus ZoneVI (Community waters)
    Year20072008
    Spain64
    France3322
    Ireland64
    United Kingdom64
    EC5134

    ’

  3. 3..

    the entry concerning the species orange roughy in ICES zone VII (Community waters and waters not under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries) shall be replaced by the following:

    Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.’
    ‘SpeciesOrange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus ZoneVII (Community waters)

    Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.’
    Year20072008
    Spain11
    France14798
    Ireland4329
    United Kingdom11
    Othersf2 11
    EC193130
  4. 4..

    the entry concerning the species orange roughy in Community waters and waters not under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries of ICES zones I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIV shall be replaced by the following:

    ‘

    SpeciesOrange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus ZoneCommunity waters of I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIV
    Year20072008
    Spain43
    France2315
    Ireland64
    Portugal75
    United Kingdom43
    EC4430

    ’

Annex II

The Annexes to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 are hereby amended as follows:

  1. 1..

    Annex IA is hereby amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      The entry concerning the species ling in ICES zone IIIa and in EC waters of ICES zones IIIb, IIIc and IIId shall be replaced by the following:

      Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId only.’
      ‘SpeciesLingMolva molva ZoneIIIa; EC waters of IIIb, IIIc and IIIdLIN/03.
      Belgium8f1

      Precautionary TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Denmark62
      Germany8
      Sweden24
      United Kingdom8
      EC109
    2. (b)

      The entry concerning the species Norway lobster in ICES zone IIIa and in EC waters of ICES zones IIIb, IIIc and IIId shall be replaced by the following:

      Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId only.’
      ‘SpeciesNorway lobsterNephrops norvegicus ZoneIIIa; EC waters of IIIb, IIIc and IIIdNEP/3A/BCD
      Denmark3 800

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Germany11f2
      Sweden1 359
      EC5 170
      TAC5 170
    3. (c)

      The entry concerning the species Norway lobster in ICES zone VII shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘

      SpeciesNorway lobsterNephrops norvegicus ZoneVIINEP/07.
      Spain1 509

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      France6 116
      Ireland9 277
      United Kingdom8 251
      EC25 153
      TAC25 153

      ’

    4. (d)

      The entry concerning the species Norway lobster in ICES zones VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘

      SpeciesNorway lobsterNephrops norvegicus ZoneVIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIeNEP/8ABDE.
      Spain259

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      France4 061
      EC4 320
      TAC4 320

      ’

    5. (e)

      The entry concerning the species turbot and brill in EC waters of IIa and IV shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘

      SpeciesTurbot and brillPsetta maxima and Scopthalmus rhombus ZoneEC waters of IIa and IVT/B/2AC4-C
      Belgium386

      Precautionary TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Denmark825
      Germany211
      France99
      The Netherlands2 923
      Sweden6
      United Kingdom813
      EC5 263
      TAC5 263

      ’

    6. (f)

      The entry concerning the species common sole in ICES zone IIIa and in EC waters of ICES zones IIIb, IIIc and IIId shall be replaced by the following:

      Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId only.’
      ‘SpeciesCommon soleSolea solea ZoneIIIa; EC waters of IIIb, IIIc and IIIdSOL/3A/BCD
      Denmark755

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Germany44f3
      The Netherlands73
      Sweden28
      EC900
      TAC900
    7. (g)

      The entry concerning the species spurdog/dogfish in ICES zone IIIa; EC and international waters of ICES zones I, V, VI, VII, VIII, XII and XIV shall be replaced by the following:

      Only Denmark and Sweden may fish in Norwegian waters of ICES zone IIIa.’
      ‘SpeciesSpurdog/dogfishSqualus acanthias ZoneIIIa; EC and international waters of I, V, VI, VII, VIII, XII and XIVDGS/135X14
      EC2 828f4

      Precautionary TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      TAC2 828
    8. (h)

      The entry concerning the species Norway pout in ICES zone IIIa and in EC waters of ICES zones IIa and IV shall be replaced by the following:

      Quota may be fished in EC waters of ICES zones IIa, IIIa, and IV only.

      This quota may be fished in ICES zone VIa North of 56° 30′ N.

      Only as by-catches.’
      ‘SpeciesNorway poutTrisopterus esmarki ZoneIIIa; EC waters of IIa and IVNOP/2A3A4.
      Denmark0

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Germany0f5
      The Netherlands0
      EC0
      Norway1 000f6 f7
      TACNot relevant
  2. 2..

    Annex IB is hereby amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      The entry concerning the species herring in EC and international waters of ICES zones I and II shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘SpeciesHerringClupea harengus ZoneEC and International waters of I and IIHER/1/2.
      Belgium30

      Analytical TAC

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      Denmark28 550
      Germany5 000
      Spain94
      France1 232
      Ireland7 391
      The Netherlands10 217
      Poland1 445
      Portugal94
      Finland442
      Sweden10 580
      United Kingdom18 253
      EC83 328
      Norway74 995f8
      Faeroe Islands10 834
      TAC1 280 000

      Special conditions:

      Within the limits of the above mentioned quotas, no more than the quantities given below may be taken in the zones specified:
      Norwegian waters north of 62° N and the fishery zone around Jan Mayen(HER/*2AJMN)
      Belgium30f9
      Denmark28 550
      Germany5 000
      Spain94
      France1 232
      Ireland7 391
      The Netherlands10 217
      Poland1 445
      Portugal94
      Finland442
      Sweden10 580
      United Kingdom18 253

      Catches taken against this quota are to be deducted from Norway’s and the Faeroe Islands’ share of the TAC (access quota). This quota may be fished in EC waters north of 62° N.

      When the sum of the catches of all Member States has reached 74 995 tonnes no further catches shall be permitted.’
      Faeroese waters of II and Vb, north of 62° N(HER/*25B-F)
      Belgium3
      Denmark3 712
      Germany650
      Spain12
      France159
      Ireland960
      The Netherlands1 329
      Poland187
      Portugal12
      Finland56
      Sweden1 374
      United Kingdom2 374
    2. (b)

      The entry concerning the species capelin in Greenland waters of ICES zones V and XIV shall be replaced by the following:

      Of which 28 490 tonnes are allocated to Iceland.

      To be fished before 30 April 2007.’
      ‘SpeciesCapelinMallotus villosus ZoneGreenland waters of V and XIVCAP/514GRN
      All Member States0
      EC28 490f10 f11
      TACNot relevant
    3. (c)

      The entry concerning the species Greenland halibut in Greenland waters of ICES zones V and XIV shall be replaced by the following:

      Of which 800 tonnes are allocated to Norway and 75 tonnes are allocated to the Faeroe Islands.’
      ‘SpeciesGreenland halibutReinhardtius hippoglossoides ZoneGreenland waters of V and XIVGHL/514GRN
      Germany6 718

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      United Kingdom353
      EC7 946f12
      TACNot relevant
    4. (d)

      The following entry concerning the species redfish in International waters of ICES zones I and II shall be inserted after the entry concerning redfish in Norwegian waters of I and II:

      Fishing activities shall be restricted to those vessels which have previously been engaged in the redfish fishery in the NEAFC Regulatory Area.

      May be fished in the period 1 September to 15 November 2007. TAC includes all by-catches.’
      ‘SpeciesRedfishSebastes spp.ZoneInternational waters of ICES zones I and IIRED/1/2INT
      ECNot relevantf13

      Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.

      Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies.

      TAC15 500f14
    5. (e)

      The entry concerning the species redfish in Icelandic waters of ICES zone Va shall be replaced by the following:

      Including unavoidable by-catches (cod not allowed).

      To be fished between July and December.’
      ‘SpeciesRedfishSebastes spp.ZoneIcelandic waters of VaRED/05A-IS
      Belgium100f15 f16
      Germany1 690
      France50
      United Kingdom1 160
      EC3 000
      TACNot relevant
  3. 3..

    Annex IIA is hereby amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      Point 10.1 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘10.1.

      An additional number of days on which a vessel may be present within the area when carrying on board any of the gears referred to in point 4.1 may be allocated to Member States by the Commission on the basis of permanent cessations of fishing activities that have taken place since 1 January 2002. The effort expended in 2001 measured in kilowatt days of the withdrawn vessels using the gear in question in the relevant area shall be divided by the effort expended by all vessels using that gear during 2001. The additional number of days shall then be calculated by multiplying the ratio so obtained by the number of days originally allocated.

      Any part of a day resulting from this calculation shall be rounded to the nearest whole day. This point shall not apply where a vessel has been replaced in accordance with point 5.1 or when the withdrawal has already been used in previous years to obtain additional days at sea.’

    2. (b)

      Point 22 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘22.

      Fishing effort messages

      By way of derogation from Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 423/2004 of 26 February 2004 establishing measures for the recovery of cod stocksf17, vessels equipped with vessel monitoring systems in accordance with Article 5 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003 shall be excluded from the hailing requirements set out in Article 19c of Regulation (EC) No 2847/93.’

  4. 4..

    Annex IIB is hereby amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      The title shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘FISHING EFFORT FOR VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RECOVERY OF CERTAIN SOUTHERN HAKE AND NORWAY LOBSTER STOCKS IN ICES ZONES VIIIc AND IXa EXCLUDING THE GULF OF CADIZ’.

    2. (b)

      Point 9.1 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘9.1.

      An additional number of days on which a vessel may be present within the area when carrying on board any of the groupings of fishing gear referred to in point 3 may be allocated to Member States by the Commission on the basis of permanent cessation of fishing activities that have taken place since 1 January 2004 either in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 or resulting from other circumstances duly motivated by Member States. Any vessels that can be shown to have been definitively withdrawn from the area may also be considered. The effort expended in 2003 measured in kilowatt days of the withdrawn vessels using the gear in question in the relevant area shall be divided by the effort expended by all vessels using that gear during the same year. The additional number of days shall be then calculated by multiplying the ratio so obtained by the number of days originally allocated. Any part of a day resulting from this calculation shall be rounded to the nearest whole day. This point shall not apply where a vessel has been replaced in accordance with point 4.1 or when the withdrawal has already been used in previous years to obtain additional days at sea.’

    3. (c)

      Point 17 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘17.

      Fishing effort messages

      Articles 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e and 19k of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 shall apply to vessels carrying on board the groupings of fishing gear defined in point 3 of this Annex and operating in the area defined in point 1 of this Annex. Vessels equipped with vessel monitoring systems in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003 shall be excluded from the hailing requirements set out in Article 19c of Regulation (EC) No 2847/93.’

  5. 5..

    Annex IIC is hereby amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      Point 9.1 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘9.1.

      An additional number of days on which a vessel may be present within the area when carrying on board any of the groupings of fishing gear referred to in point 3 may be allocated to Member States by the Commission on the basis of permanent cessation of fishing activities that have taken place since 1 January 2004 either in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 or resulting from other circumstances duly motivated by Member States. Any vessels that can be shown to have been definitively withdrawn from the area may also be considered. The effort expended in 2003 measured in kilowatt days of the withdrawn vessels using the gear in question in the relevant area shall be divided by the effort expended by all vessels using that gear during the same year. The additional number of days shall then be calculated by multiplying the ratio so obtained by the number of days originally allocated. Any part of a day resulting from this calculation shall be rounded to the nearest whole day. This point shall not apply where a vessel has been replaced in accordance with point 4.1 or when the withdrawal has already been used in previous years to obtain additional days at sea.’

    2. (b)

      Point 16 shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘16.

      Fishing effort messages

      Articles 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e and 19k of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 shall apply to vessels carrying on board the groupings of fishing gear defined in point 3 of this Annex and operating in the area defined in point 1 of this Annex. Vessels equipped with vessel monitoring systems in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003 shall be excluded from the hailing requirements set out in Article 19c of Regulation (EC) No 2847/93.’

  6. 6..

    Point 9.4(a) of Annex III shall be replaced by the following:

    1. (a)

      ‘Gill nets with a mesh size equal to or greater than 120 mm and less than 150 mm, provided that they are deployed in waters of less than 600 metres charted depth, are no more than 100 meshes deep, have a hanging ratio of not less than 0,5 and are rigged with floats or equivalent floatation. The nets shall each be of a maximum of 5 nautical miles in length, and the total length of all nets deployed at any one time shall not exceed 25 km per vessel. The maximum soak time shall be 24 hours; or’.