PURPOSE: to establish a multi-annual plan for the fisheries exploiting the stock of herring (Clupea harengus) in the area west of Scotland.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) No 1300/2008 establishing a multi-annual plan for the stock of herring distributed to the west of Scotland and the fisheries exploiting that stock.
CONTENT: the Council adopted a Regulation establishing a multi-annual management plan for the stock of herring to the west of Scotland.
The Regulation establishes a multi-annual plan for the fisheries exploiting the stock of herring in the area to the west of Scotland in international and Community waters of ICES zones Vb and VIb, and that part of ICES zone VIa which lies west of the meridian of longitude 7oW and north of the parallel of latitude 55oN, or east of the meridian of longitude 7oW and north of the parallel of latitude 56oN, excluding the Clyde.
It was agreed that the annual variation in the TAC would be limited to 20 % or 25 % depending on the state of the stock, the 2009 TAC being reduced by 20 % by comparison with the 2008 TAC.
The Regulation introduces measures based on the advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) on that stock of herring (Clupea harengus), in particular:
Evaluation and review of the multi-annual plan: the Commission shall request, each year, advice from STECF and the Pelagic Regional Advisory Council on the achievement of the targets of the multi-annual plan. Where the advice indicates that the targets are not being met, the Council will decide by qualified majority on additional and/or alternative measures to ensure that the targets are met.
At least every 4 years from 18/12/2008, the Commission will review the geographical area of application, the biological reference levels and the performance and operation of the multi-annual plan. In the framework of this review, the Commission shall seek the advice of the STECF and of the Pelagic Regional Advisory Council. Where appropriate, the Council must decide by qualified majority on appropriate adaptations to the multi-annual plan, as regards the geographical area of application, the biological reference levels or the rules for setting TACs.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 23/12/2008.