Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, NAFO: control measures of vessels of non-contracting parties

PURPOSE: to lay down new means of control for ships flying the flag of non-contracting parties to the North West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO). COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 1262/2000/EC laying down certain control measures in respect of vessels flying the flag of non-Contracting Parties to the NAFO. CONTENT: The Community is a contracting party to the NAFO Convention. The NAFO Convention provides a suitable framework for regional cooperation in the conservation and management of fishery resources through, inter alia, the setting up of an international organisation known as the NAFO, and the adoption of proposals for conservation and enforcement measures for the fishery resources of the NAFO regulatory area, which become binding upon the contracting parties. NAFO has consistently invited the non-contracting parties concerned either to become a member of NAFO or to agree to apply the conservation and enforcement measures established by NAFO with a view to fulfilling their responsibilities with regard to fishing vessels entitled to fly their flag. At its 19th annual meeting in September 1997, NAFO resolved to adopt a 'scheme to promote compliance by non-contracting party vessels with the conservation and enforcement measures established by NAFO', the objective of which is to ensure that the effectiveness of conservation and enforcement measures established by NAFO is not undermined by non-contracting vessels. This Scheme was subsequently revised in September 1998 and again in September 1999. Under the Treaty, the authority over internal waters and ports is exercised by the Member States. However, as regards access to port facilities in the Community by non-contracting party vessels which are sighted engaging in fishing activities in the NAFO regulatory area, it is necessary to enact additional uniform measures at Community level, which supplement the measures provided for in Council Regulation 2847/93/EEC of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy and ensure that the operation of such vessels in Community ports do not undermine the effectiveness of the conservation and enforcement measures established by NAFO. Against this background, the Council Regulation contains the following provisions: - When a non-contracting vessel to the NAFO scheme is sighted by a Community inspector, this information will be transmitted to the NAFO Secretariat and where possible, the non-contracting party vessel; - The above information on sighting will also be communicated to the Member States; - Community fishing vessels shall be prohibited from receiving transhipments of fish from non-contracting party vessels; - Member States shall ensure that each non-contracting party vessel which enters a designated port is inspected by their competent authorities and this inspection is subject to certain conditions; - Member States shall communicate to the Commission the results of each inspection and this will be communicated in turn to the Secretariat of NAFO. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 24.06.2000.�