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 fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required^f1, and in particular Article 5(5) thereof:

Whereas:

Preliminary catch limits for sprat in EC waters of ICES zones IIa and IV are laid down in Annex IA to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007.

Pursuant to Article 5(5) of that Regulation, the Commission may revise the catch limits in the light of scientific information collected during the first half of 2007.

Taking into account information collected during the first half of 2007, the catch limits for sprat in the zones concerned should be adjusted.

Annex IA to Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The sprat is a short-lived species, therefore the catch limitations should be implemented as soon as possible, in order to avoid delays which could lead to over-fishing of the stock.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: