PURPOSE: to adopt technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound and to amend Regulation 1434/98/EC and to repeal Regulation 88/98/EC.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation 2187/2005/EC for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound, amending Regulation 1434/98/EC and repealing Regulation 88/98/EC.
CONTENT: this Regulation lays down technical conservation measures concerning the taking and landing of fish resources in the maritime waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member States – in this case referring to the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound. The Regulation sets wide-ranging provisions and acts as a comprehensive legal instrument for the conservation of fish stock in those waters.
The specific measures adopted relate, inter alia, to:
- nets and their conditions for use;
- the target species covered by the Regulation (e.g. the mesh sizes admissible for each target species);
- the structure of the fishing gear and conditions under which driftnets may be used;
- measurements on the size of fish caught and the retention on board of undersized fish;
- restrictions on fishing zones as well as restriction on fishing for salmon, sea trout and eel.
In light of the unique and sensitive nature of the maritime ecosystem, special provisions are foreseen for the Gulf of Riga. The measures relate to the need for a special fishing permit, the replacement of vessels or engines in the Gulf of Riga and specific prohibitions on trawling. Under the heading “General Provisions”, the Regulation prohibits the use of explosives, poisons and electric currents as a means for catching fish. The Annexes to the Regulation specify in further detail the types of permitted driftnets and the specific demarcation zones in which fishing may take place.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7 January 2006.