PURPOSE: to conclude a Co-operation Agreement between the Community and Russia on fisheries and the conservation of marine resources in the Baltic Sea.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) No 439/2009 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in fisheries and the conservation of the living marine resources in the Baltic Sea
CONTENT: this Regulation approves, on behalf of the EC, the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on cooperation in fisheries and the conservation of the living marine resources in the Baltic Sea.
The objective of the Agreement is to ensure a close cooperation between the Parties on the basis of the principle of equitable and mutual benefit for the purpose of conservation, sustainable exploitation and management of any straddling, associated and dependent stocks in the Baltic Sea. The Agreement lays down the principles and procedures relating to the close cooperation between the Parties with the purpose of ensuring that the exploitation of the straddling, associated and dependent stocks in the Baltic Sea provides sustainable economic, environmental and social conditions. The Parties will base their cooperation on the best scientific advice available and on any other relevant data, apply the precautionary approach and will agree to develop an eco-system based approach to fisheries management.
Provisions have been put in place for:
To achieve these objectives, a Joint Baltic Sea Fisheries Committee will be established, which will meet once a year and which will act as an important forum for scientific advice on the status of fish stocks in the Baltic Seas as well as fisheries management.
According to Article 1 of the Gdansk Convention, the Parties should cooperate closely with a view to preserving and increasing the living resources of the Baltic Sea and the Belts and obtaining the optimum yield, and, in particular to expanding and coordinating studies towards these ends.
Duration: the Agreement will remain in force for an initial period of 6 years after the date of its entry into force. In the event that it is not terminated by either Party through notice of termination given at least 9 months before the expiry of that period, it will remain in force for additional periods of 3 years duration thereafter, provided that notice of termination has not been given at least 9 months before the expiry of any such period. At the date of entry into force of the Agreement, it will supersede the existing bilateral fisheries Agreements between Member States and the Russian Federation. The Gdansk Convention will cease to be applied on 1 January 2007.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Regulation shall enter into force on 04/06/2009.