Fishing vessels operating in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO): observers

PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 3069/95/EC establishing a European Community observer scheme applicable to Community fishing vessels operating in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO).

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 855/2004/EC (Corrigendum to the Regulation published in OJ L 161 of 30 April 2004).

CONTENT : in the framework of the NAFO, the Commission undertook in 1995 to ensure its application to Community fishing vessels and to bear the ensuing costs for the observers.

With the adoption of the new framework Regulation for the Common Fisheries Policy, it is now for Member States to, inter alia, control the activities carried out by vessels flying their flag outside Community waters, including being responsible for placing observers on these vessels. This Regulation aims at transferring the administrative and financial burden of the observer task from the Commission to the Member States. The Community is expected to save EUR 3 000 000 for the year 2004 as a result.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 01/05/2004.