PURPOSE : to present a proposal for a Council Decision on a Community financial contribution towards certain expenditure to implement certain management on highly migratory fish.
CONTENT : on 14 November 1997 the European Commission became a Contracting Party to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT Convention). The aim of the Convention is to ensure that conservation and management of stocks of tuna and tuna-like species in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), at its 11th Special meeting on 16 to 23 November 1998, adopted a recommendation on a time/area closure linked to the use of fish aggregating devices. This measure imposes a ban on fishing so as to reduce the catches of tropical tuna juveniles.
To ensure the observance of the ban, provision is made also for an observer to remain onboard vessels fishing in the area during the period concerned. The recommendation took effect on 21 June 1999.
In accordance with their reponsibility for enforcement, the Member States must see to it that that vessels flying their flag observe the ban. In line with that responsiblity they must administer the system of observers. They must take the necessary steps to to assign observers to vessels flying the flag.
In order to facilitate the introduction of the system, the Community may make a financial contribution towards the cost araising from it. The contribution may be granted during the period 01.11.2000 to 21.01.2001 only, and would be conditional on the costs being taken over by Member States once the system has become routine.�