
COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2015/960 of 19 June 2015 amending Regulation (EU) 2015/104 as regards certain fishing opportunities 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:

(1) In June 2014 the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) released scientific advice on the stock of sea bass in the North-East Atlantic, and confirmed that this stock had been in rapid decline since 2012. Furthermore, the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) has evaluated the extent to which national measures in place protect sea bass and, in general, has deemed those measures ineffective. Sea bass is a late-maturing and slow-growing species. The fishing mortality of sea bass in the North-East Atlantic is currently four times higher than the level which would ensure maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

(2) By means of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/111, based on Article 12 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the Commission has adopted urgent measures to reduce the fishing mortality caused by pelagic vessels targeting spawning aggregations of sea bass. That Implementing Regulation expired on 30 April 2015.

(3) Council Regulation (EU) 2015/104 has been amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2015/523, with the aim of reducing the impact of recreational fisheries on fishing mortality.

(4) Further reduction of catches is necessary and catches of targeting commercial fisheries should therefore be reduced by the imposition of monthly catch limits in ICES divisions IVb and IVc, as well as VIId, VIIe, VIIf and VIIh. In ICES divisions VIIa and VIIg, monthly catch limits should apply in the UK territorial sea only. Such reduction of catches should allow fishermen to adapt their current fishing behaviour in order to avoid sea bass, while being allowed to retain a level of incidental by-catch.

(5) In addition, the conservation actions taken by Ireland, namely prohibitions on the catching, retaining on board, transhipping, relocating or landing of sea bass, should be maintained and extended to cover all Union vessels active in ICES divisions VIIb, VIIc, VIIj and VIIk. These actions should also apply in ICES divisions VIIa and VIIg, with the exception of the waters within 12 nautical miles of the baseline under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, where the monthly catch-limit regime applies.

(6) Catches of sea bass should be monitored on a monthly basis through the collection of data from the Member States.

(7) The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, on the other hand, and the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in that Agreement, provide that the Union is to receive 7,7 % of the total available catches (TAC) for capelin in Greenland waters of ICES zones V and XIV.

(8) Regulation (EU) 2015/104 fixed a Union quota of 0 tonnes for 2015 for the stock of capelin in those Greenland waters.

(9) On 13 May 2015 the Union received information from the Greenland authorities that the TAC for capelin in Greenland waters of ICES subareas V and XIV had been established for the period from 20 June 2015 until 30 April 2016, offering the Union a quota of 23 100 tonnes. It is appropriate to fix and allocate the Union fishing opportunities accordingly.

(10) In the framework of the annual consultations on fisheries between the Union and Norway, the Union undertook to provide Norway with an additional quantity of 20 000 tonnes of capelin in Greenland waters of ICES zone XIV for 2015. It is appropriate to allocate that amount from the Union quota available in those waters. The capelin catch limits provided for by this Regulation should apply from 20 June 2015.

(11) Norway agreed to increase the Union quotas for the following stocks: for cod in Norwegian waters of I and II by 1 512 tonnes; for haddock in Norwegian waters of I and II by 88 tonnes; for ling in Norwegian waters of IV by 150 tonnes; and for haddock in IV and Union waters of IIa by 250 tonnes. The corresponding TAC tables should therefore be updated accordingly.

(12) It is necessary to clarify that the 5 % inter-area flexibility (special condition) for undulate ray only applies to the by-catch quota of undulate ray.

(13) Certain catches of tope shark may be allowed, while maintaining the prohibition on catching tope shark with long lines.

(14) The Parties to the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) were unable to agree upon an appropriate management measure for redfish in international waters of ICES subareas I and II for 2015, and ICES advised that the recommended catch by all Parties should not exceed 30 000 tonnes. Taking into account that the fishery on this stock takes place both inside the waters of the Coastal States as well as in international waters, the Union had recommended at the NEAFC Annual Meeting in November 2014 that a measure be adopted to limit these fisheries to 19 500 tonnes. In the absence of an NEAFC management measure, as in 2014, the fishery in international waters for 2015 should be limited to 19 500 tonnes for vessels from all NEAFC Parties fishing in the area, including Union vessels.

(15) Consultations will continue in 2015 on fishing opportunities for the redfish stock in Norwegian waters of I and II. Catch limits for this stock will be fixed during 2015, taking account of the outcome of these consultations.

(16) In order to reflect correctly the gear distribution of the Spanish 2015 bluefin-tuna fishing fleet, it is necessary to amend Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 2015/104, which sets out the fishing, farming and fattening limitations for bluefin tuna.

(17) A vessel flying the flag of France and targeting tropical tunas in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Convention Area was recently reflagged as an Italian vessel. The corresponding capacity in gross tonnage allocated to France in Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 should therefore be transferred to Italy. This transfer neither exceeds the capacity limits for Italy established in Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 nor affects the capacity limits established by the IOTC.

(18) Some corrections to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 should be made in order to ensure that, because of the rounding, the total of the Member States' quotas does not exceed the quota available for the Union, and also either to address typographical inaccuracies or to add reporting codes.

(19) Regulation (EU) 2015/104 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(20) It is necessary for the measures included in this Regulation to start to apply as soon as possible. This Regulation should, therefore, enter into force on the date following that of its publication,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 
In Regulation (EU) 2015/104, the following Article is inserted:
'
Measures concerning sea bass
Article 9a 

1. It shall be prohibited for Union vessels to fish, retain on board, relocate, tranship or land quantities exceeding the limits set out in paragraph 2 of sea bass caught in the following areas:
(a) ICES divisions IVb, IVc, VIId, VIIe, VIIf and VIIh;
(b) waters within 12 nautical miles from baseline under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom in ICES divisions VIIa and VIIg.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the following catch limits shall apply:
Gear category and code Maximum catch of sea bass permitted per vessel per calendar month (in kg)
Mid-water or pelagic trawls, including OTM and PTM 1 500
All types of demersal trawls including Danish/Scottish seines, including OTB, OTT, PTB, TBB, SSC, SDN, SPR, SV, SB, SX, TBN, TBS and TB 1 800
All GN, all drift net and fixed (trammel) net fisheries, including GTR, GNS, GND, FYK, FPN and FIX 1 000
All long lines or pole and line or rod and line fisheries, including LHP, LHM, LLD, LL, LTL, LX and LLS 1 300
purse seines, gear codes PS and LA 3 000

3. For Union vessels using more than one gear in a single calendar month, the lowest catch limit set in paragraph 2 for either gear shall apply.
4. The catch limits set in paragraph 2 shall not be transferable from one month to another or between vessels.
5. It shall be prohibited for Union vessels to retain on board, tranship, relocate or land sea bass caught in ICES divisions VIIb, VIIc, VIIj and VIIk, as well as in the waters of ICES divisions VIIa and VIIg that are more than 12 nautical miles from the baseline under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.
6. Member States shall report to the Commission catches of sea bass per type of gear not later than 20 days after the end of each month.'.
Article 2 

1. Annex IA to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.
2. Annex IB to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.
3. Annex IC to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is amended in accordance with Annex III to this Regulation.
4. Annex ID to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is amended in accordance with Annex IV to this Regulation.
5. Annex IF to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is amended in accordance with Annex V to this Regulation.
6. Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is replaced by the text appearing in Annex VI to this Regulation.
7. Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2015/104 is replaced by the text appearing in Annex VII to this Regulation.
Article 3 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the date following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
ANNEX I
1. The fishing opportunities table for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in IV and in Union waters of IIa shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus Zone: IV; Union waters of IIa(HAD/2AC4.)
Belgium 254  
Denmark 1 745  
Germany 1 111  
France 1 936  
The Netherlands 190  
Sweden 176  
United Kingdom 28 785  
Union 34 197  
Norway 6 514  
TAC 40 711  
Analytical TAC
Article 7(3) of this Regulation applies

Special condition:
within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities given below may be taken in the following zones:
 Norwegian waters of IV (HAD/*04N-)
Union 25 252
2. The fishing opportunities table for ling (Molva molva) in Norwegian waters of IV shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: LingMolva molva Zone: Norwegian waters of IV(LIN/04-N.)
Belgium 8  
Denmark 965  
Germany 27  
France 11  
The Netherlands 2  
United Kingdom 87  
Union 1 100  
TAC Not relevant  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply

3. The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays (Rajiformes) in Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-c and VIIe-k shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Skates and raysRajiformes Zone: Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-c and VIIe-k(SRX/67AKXD)
Belgium 725  
Estonia 4  
France 3 255  
Germany 10  
Ireland 1 048  
Lithuania 17  
The Netherlands 3  
Portugal 18  
Spain 876  
United Kingdom 2 076  
Union 8 032  
TAC 8 032  
Precautionary TAC
Article 11 of this Regulation applies




4. The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays (Rajiformes) in Union waters of VIId shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Skates and raysRajiformes Zone: Union waters of VIId(SRX/07D.)
Belgium 72  
France 602  
The Netherlands 4  
United Kingdom 120  
Union 798  
TAC 798  Precautionary TAC



5. The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays (Rajiformes) in Union waters of VIII and IX shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Skates and raysRajiformes Zone: Union waters of VIII and IX(SRX/89-C.)
Belgium 7  
France 1 298  
Portugal 1 051  
Spain 1 057  
United Kingdom 7  
Union 3 420  
TAC 3 420  Precautionary TAC


6. The first footnote in the fishing opportunities table for spurdog/dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in Union waters of IIa and IV and the first footnote of fishing opportunities table for spurdog/dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in Union and international waters of I, V, VI, VII, VIII, XII and XIV shall be replaced as follows: 

'Spurdog shall not be targeted in the areas covered by this TAC. When accidentally caught in fisheries not yet subject to the landing obligation, specimens shall not be harmed and shall be released immediately. The former provisions are without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 12 and 44 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein'.

7. The fishing opportunities table for Norway pout and associated by-catches (Trisopterus esmarki) in IIIa, Union waters of IIa and IV shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Norway pout and associated by-catchesTrisopterus esmarki Zone: IIIa, Union waters of IIa and IV(NOP/2A3A4.)
Denmark 127 882  
Germany 24  
The Netherlands 94  
Union 128 000  
Norway 15 000  
Faroe Islands 7 000  
TAC Not relevant  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply





8. The fishing opportunities table for other species in Norwegian waters of IV shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Other species Zone: Norwegian waters of IV(OTH/04-N.)
Belgium 40  
Denmark 3 624  
Germany 409  
France 168  
The Netherlands 290  
Sweden Not relevant  
United Kingdom 2 719  
Union 7 250  
TAC Not relevant  Precautionary TAC


ANNEX II
1. The fishing opportunities table for herring (Clupea harengus) in Union and international waters of I and II shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: HerringClupea harengus Zone: Union and international waters of I and II(HER/1/2-)
Belgium 6  
Denmark 6 314  
Germany 1 105  
Spain 21  
France 272  
Ireland 1 634  
The Netherlands 2 259  
Poland 319  
Portugal 21  
Finland 98  
Sweden 2 339  
United Kingdom 4 036  
Union 18 424  
Faroe Islands 9 000  
TAC Not established  Analytical TAC



Special condition:
within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities given below may be taken in the following zones:Norwegian waters north of 62° N and the fishery zone around Jan Mayen (HER/*2AJMN)0
 II, Vb north of 62° N (Faroes waters) (HER/*25B-F))
Belgium 3
Denmark 3 084
Germany 540
Spain 10
France 133
Ireland 798
Netherlands 1 104
Poland 156
Portugal 10
Finland 48
Sweden 1 143
United Kingdom 1 971
2. The fishing opportunities table for cod (Gadus morhua) in Norwegian waters of I and II shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: CodGadus morhua Zone: Norwegian waters of I and II(COD/1N2AB.)
Germany 2 663  
Greece 330  
Spain 2 970  
Ireland 330  
France 2 444  
Portugal 2 970  
United Kingdom 10 329  
Union 22 036  
TAC Not relevant  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply

3. The fishing opportunities table for capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Greenland waters of V and XIV shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: CapelinMallotus villosus Zone: Greenland waters of V and XIV(CAP/514GRN)
Denmark 2 635  
Germany 115  
Sweden 189  
United Kingdom 25  
All Member States 136  
Union 3 100  
Norway 20 000  
TAC Not relevant  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply



4. The fishing opportunities table for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in Norwegian waters of I and II shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus Zone: Norwegian waters of I and II(HAD/1N2AB.)
Germany 276  
France 166  
United Kingdom 846  
Union 1 288  
TAC Not relevant  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply

5. The fishing opportunities table for redfish (Sebastes spp.) in Norwegian waters of I and II shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: RedfishSebastesspp. Zone: Norwegian waters of I and II(RED/1N2AB.)
Union To be established  
TAC Not relevant  
6. The fishing opportunities table for redfish (Sebastes spp.) in International waters of I and II shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: RedfishSebastes spp. Zone: International waters of I and II(RED/1/2INT)
Union Not relevant  
TAC 19 500  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply



ANNEX III

The fishing opportunities table for shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) in NAFO sub-zones 3 and 4 shall be replaced by the following table:

Species: Shortfin squidIllex illecebrosus Zone: NAFO sub-zones 3 and 4(SQI/N34.)
Estonia 128  
Latvia 128  
Lithuania 128  
Poland 227  
Union Not relevant  
TAC 34 000  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply



ANNEX IV

The fishing opportunities table for northern albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in Atlantic Ocean, north of 5° N shall be replaced by the following table:

Species: Northern albacoreThunnus alalunga Zone: Atlantic Ocean, north of 5° N(ALB/AN05N)
Ireland 2 510,64  
Spain 17 690,59  
France 4 421,71  
United Kingdom 195,89  
Portugal 2 120,3  
Union 26 939,13  
TAC 28 000  
Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply



ANNEX V
1. The fishing opportunities table for alfonsinos (Beryx spp.) in SEAFO shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: AlfonsinosBeryx spp. Zone: SEAFO(ALF/SEAFO)
TAC 200  Precautionary TAC

2. The fishing opportunities table for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in SEAFO Sub-Division B1 shall be replaced by the following table: 

Species: Orange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus Zone: SEAFO Sub-Division B1(ORY/F47NAM)
TAC 0  Precautionary TAC


ANNEX VI

Annex IV shall be replaced by the following:
'
ANNEX IV
ICCAT CONVENTION AREA
1. Maximum number of Union bait boats and trolling boats authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm in the Eastern Atlantic 


France 37
Union 37

2. Maximum number of Union coastal artisanal fishing vessels authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm in the Mediterranean 


Spain 84
France 94
Italy 30
Cyprus 6
Malta 28
Union 242



3. Maximum number of Union vessels authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm in the Adriatic Sea for farming purposes 


Croatia 11
Italy 12
Union 23

4. Maximum number and total capacity in gross tonnage of fishing vessels of each Member State that may be authorised to fish for, retain on board, tranship, transport, or land bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean 



Table ANumber of fishing vessels
 Cyprus Greece Croatia Italy France Spain Malta
Purse Seiners 1 1 11 12 17 6 1
Longliners 6 0 0 30 8 59 28
Baitboat 0 0 0 0 8 15 0
Handline 0 0 12 0 29 1 0
Trawler 0 0 0 0 57 0 0
Other artisanal 0 21 0 0 94 273 0










Table BTotal capacity in gross tonnage
 Cyprus Croatia Greece Italy France Spain Malta
Purse Seiners To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established
Longliners To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established
Baitboats To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established
Handlines To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established
Trawlers To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established
Other artisanal To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established To be established

5. Maximum number of traps engaged in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery authorised by each Member State 


Number of traps
Spain 5
Italy 6
Portugal 2


6. Maximum bluefin tuna farming capacity and fattening capacity for each Member State and maximum input of wild-caught bluefin tuna that each Member State may allocate to its farms in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean 



Table AMaximum tuna farming capacity and fattening capacity
 Number of farms Capacity (in tonnes)
Spain 14 11 852
Italy 15 13 000
Greece 2 2 100
Cyprus 3 3 000
Croatia 7 7 880
Malta 8 12 300



Table BMaximum input of wild-caught bluefin tuna (in tonnes)
Spain 5 855
Italy 3 764
Greece 785
Cyprus 2 195
Croatia 2 947
Malta 8 768
'.

ANNEX VII

Annex VI shall be replaced by the following:
'
ANNEX VI
IOTC CONVENTION AREA
1. Maximum number of Union vessels authorised to fish for tropical tunas in the IOTC Convention Area 

Member State Maximum number of vessels Capacity (gross tonnage)
Spain 22 61 364
France 27 45 383
Portugal 5 1 627
Italy 1 2 137
Union 55 110 511
2. Maximum number of Union vessels authorised to fish for swordfish and albacore in the IOTC Convention Area 

Member State Maximum number of vessels Capacity (gross tonnage)
Spain 27 11 590
France 41 7 882
Portugal 15 6 925
United Kingdom 4 1 400
Union 87 27 797

3. The vessels referred to in point 1 shall also be authorised to fish for swordfish and albacore in the IOTC Convention Area.

4. The vessels referred to in point 2 shall also be authorised to fish for tropical tunas in the IOTC Convention Area.
'.
