Technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources (16th amend. regul. 3094/86/EEC)

At the December 1995 Council, the incoming Presidency announced it would launch an in-depth debate on the future regulation of the drift-net fishery. This debate was launched at Council today and delegations had the opportunity to re-state their positions. The representative of the Commission indicated that the Commission was anxious to make progress, and would be willing to entertain all constructive ideas put forward by delegations, with a view to achieving a qualified majority on its proposal. The Council once again stressed the importance of fully respecting current Community legislation on drift-nets. In this context, the Italian delegation gave a description of the national measures it had undertaken in the Mediterranean, in collaboration with the Spanish authorities, to ensure full compliance by its fleet with current legislation. The representative of the Commission recalled the efforts the Commission had made during the 1995 tuna campaign to strengthen control and surveillance, in particular through the chartering of an inspection vessel. The Commission intends to repeat this exercise for the forthcoming drift-net campaign, and intends its inspection vessel to extend in a balanced manner its activities to Mediterranean waters, whilst continuing its activities in other waters. The Council expressed its satisfaction at the success achieved in the enforcement activities to date and welcomed the Commission initiative in pursuing this objective during the coming season, without any increase in the overall fishing effort. �