Conservation of fishery resources: protection of juveniles of marine organisms

PURPOSE: to amend for the fifth time Regulation 850/98/EC for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 1298/2000/EC. CONTENT: This Regulation provides a certain number of amendments to provisions of Regulation 850/1998/EC based on the following reasons: - Geographical and seasonal particularities render it appropriate that detailed rules for separator trawlers or nets with a sorting grid to be used in shrimp fisheries should be established by Member States for fishing vessels flying their flag and registered in the Community; - A closure of fisheries for sand eels off the northcoast of England and the east coast of Scotland is required; - Article 46 of Regulation 850/98/EC should be redrafted to provide greater clarity with regard to its applicability; - Minimum sizes for a number of crustaceans and bivale molluscs should be revised or introduced. Against this background, the amending Regulation includes the following provisions: - At the very latest on 1 July 2002, a separator trawl or a trawl with a sorting grid shall be used to catch common shrimps and Aesop shrimps in conformity with detailed rules which Member States shall establish in accordance with Article 46; - During the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, it shall be prohibited to land or retain on board sand eels caught within a certain geographical area bounded by the east coast of England and Scotland; - Member States may takes measures for the conservation and management of stocks under certain conditions. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 14.07.2000.�