COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2019 and 2020 the fishing opportunities for Union fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks - Statements - Hoofdinhoud

Council of the European Union Brussels, 7 December 2018 (OR. en)

14425/18

Interinstitutional File: ADD 1

2018/0347 (NLE) i

PECHE 474

'I/A' ITEM NOTE

From: General Secretariat of the Council

To: Permanent Representatives Committee (Part 1)/Council

No. Cion doc.: 12841/18 PECHE 382 + ADD 1 - COM(2018) 676 final i

Subject: COUNCIL REGULATION fixing for 2019 and 2020 the fishing opportunities for Union fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks

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  Statements

Joint Statement by France and Spain on red seabream in Union

and international waters of 6-8

The ICES scientific advice sets out that the stock of red seabream in areas 6-8 is seriously depleted and advises that there should be zero catches for this stock in 2019 and 2020. Since 2014 the ICES advice has been to reduce mortality by all means, to allow the stock to rebuild, and avoid a further collapse. ICES furthermore recommend that measures be put in place to protect juveniles.

By 1 March 2019, taking into account national specificities, Member States concerned commit to implement coordinated national plans necessary for rebuilding the stock of red seabream in ICES subareas 6-8, in particular through measures such as:

• Closing for commercial and recreational fishing the areas where juveniles occur on the basis of

scientific evidence, as identified by the Member States;

• Increasing minimum size to 35cm, to incentivize avoiding catching red seabream that has not

reached the size of maturing into females;

• Fixing catch limits per vessel and per trip to ensure that red seabream is only fished as a by-catch

species;

• Undertaking a scientific research project with the view to finding ways to avoid catching juvenile

red seabream in the longline and otter trawl fleets that account for the main share of the catches. This project should, as recommended by STECF, include improving the biological knowledge on species reproduction and maturity stages and update the estimates of size/age at maturity as male and female, the size-as sex-change and the proportion of gonochoric individuals.

The above coordinated national plans will be communicated to the Commission by 1 March 2019 and will be assessed by the STECF, in order to ensure that the plan is comprehensive and effective. Should the STECF assess that additional measures need to be taken to ensure an improvement in the state of the stock, then Member States commit to review this plan and the relevant national measures in light of the recommendations by the STECF. The above measures may, as appropriate, be included in the joint recommendations from the relevant Member States Groups.

Member States concerned will agree on necessary quota swaps to avoid “choke” situations.

Joint Statement by Spain and Portugal on red seabream in Union

and international waters of 9

Spain and Portugal will agree on necessary quota swaps for red seabream in ICES subarea 9 to avoid "choke" situations.

Joint Statement by Spain and Portugal on alfonsinos in Union

and international waters of 3-10, 12 and 14

Spain and Portugal will agree on necessary quota swaps for alfonsinos in ICES subareas 3-10, 12 and 14 to avoid "choke" situations.

Statement by Denmark on roundnose grenadier in Union and international waters of 3

Denmark supports the Presidency compromise for a Council Regulation fixing for 2019 and 2020 the fishing opportunities for Union fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks. It is important to ensure effective protection of vulnerable deep-sea stocks.

Following the implementation of the landing obligation, it is important to avoid that a stock develops to a choke species. This is the reason why Denmark has argued for a long term solution for roundnose grenadier in Union waters of 3. Denmark recognizes that roundnose grenadier in this area will probably not be a choke species for the moment. However, should a problem arise in 2019 or 2020, Denmark should urge for a swift solution.

Statement by the Commission on deletions of TACs for deep-sea species

Where TACs have been deleted in the deep-sea fishing opportunities for 2019-2020, as is the case for greater forkbeard in 1-10, 12, roundnose grenadier in 1, 2, 4 and black scabbardfish in 1-4, the

Commission will continue monitoring the development of these stocks in light of the best available scientific advice.

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