Technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species: regional fisheries organisations' recommendations

PURPOSE : to incorporate certain technical measures recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) into Community law. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 831/2004/EC amending Regulation 973/2001/EC laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species. CONTENT : The main amendments to Regulation 973/2001/EC are as follows: - Fishing for bluefin tuna with encircling nets in the Mediterranean Sea is prohibited from 16 July to 15 August each year. - Member States must each year draw up a sampling programme for the estimation of the numbers-at-size of the bluefin tuna caught, inter alia, through scientific observers on board the vessels or at the farming sites. This programme must be sent to the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics for validation, and a copy to the Commission. Before 1 July each year, Member States must send to the Commission a report on the findings of the programmes executed in the previous year. - Member States must execute in 2003 and 2004 a plan to reduce the catches of juvenile bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and ensure respect for the minimum bluefin tuna size as indicated. They must also execute in 2003 and 2004 a scientific programme to identify the various fisheries taking bluefin tuna and the size composition of their respective catches. Their estimates shall embrace the past data available. - the tolerance levels for certain species are amended. - Member States must do their utmost to encourage the release of live sharks caught accidentally, in particular juveniles. They must also encourage the reduction of discards of sharks. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 06/05/04.�