Technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources

1996/0160(CNS)
OBJECTIVE: to alter the existing technical measures with regard to conservation of fishery resources with the aim of improving their effectiveness in limiting catches of juveniles. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms. SUBSTANCE: The Regulation lays down technical measures relating to conservation, and concerns the catching and landing of fishery resources developing in maritime waters situated in certain regions under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Member States. Two types of measure are provided for to reduce catches of juveniles: improving the selectiveness of towed gears in comparison with existing legislation, and restricting fishing in certain areas and during certain periods when juveniles are abundant. The main elements of the Regulation are as follows: - provisions applicable to towed gears, fixed gears, nets and conditions for their use; - minimum sizes of marine organisms; - restrictions applicable to fishing for certain marine organisms (particularly herring, mackerel, sprat, anchovy, tuna, hake, plaice and demersal species); - restrictions applicable to certain types of fishing (use of demersal towed gears, unconventional fishing methods, use of automatic grading equipment, use of purse seines, fishing within the 12-mile limits of the United Kingdom and Ireland). ENTRY INTO FORCE: 06/04/1998. The Regulation is applicable from 01/01/2000. �