PURPOSE : to provide a contribution towards certain expenditure to implement certain management measures on highly migratory fish.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2001/382/EC on a Community financial contribution towards certain expenditure to implement certain management measures on highly migratory fish.
CONTENT : the ICCAT Convention represents a framework for regional cooperation on the conservation and management of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas through setting up of an International Commission for the adoption of recommendations on conservation and management in the convention area which will become binding on the Contracting Parties.
At the 11th special meeting on 16 to 23 November 1998, ICCAT adopted a recommendation on the imposition of a time/area closure linked to the use of fish aggregrating devices which became mandatory for the Contracting Parties on 21 June 1999. Council Regulation 973/2001/EC laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species incorporates this recommendation into Community law.
In order to ensure compliance with the measures, provision is made for an observer to remain on board each vessels during the period concerned. Detailed arrangements should be adopted therefore governing the assignment of observers, their tasks and the payment of the costs they incurr.
This Decision sets out that in order to facilitate the introduction of the system of observers, the Community may contribute to the financing of the expenditure of the member States arising from the assignment of the observers from the period 1 November 2000 to 31 January 2001.
The Community contribution will be 50% of the expenditure from public funds incurred by each Member State in making the assignment.
Member States wishing to qualify for a financial contribution shall submit to the Commission by 1 April 2001 a detailed report on:
- the number of observers assigned;
- the number of vessels concerned;
- the name of the vessels observed and the period for which each observer was assigned;
- the final report of each observer.
Member States shall provide assurances that the expenditure has been incurred in compliance with the principles of sound financial management and with the requirements of this decision.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 19/05/01. �