Conservation of fishery resources: recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea, measures for 2001

PURPOSE : to provide additional protection measures for the stock of cod in the Irish Sea for the season 2001. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 300/2001/EC establishing measures to be applied in 2001 for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES division VIIa). CONTENT : in November 1999, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicated that the stock of cod in the Irish Sea is at a serious risk of collapse. The advice from the ICES also indicated that the quantity of mature cod in the Irish Sea would remain at a very low level during 2000 and 2001. Therefore, Commission Regulation 304/2000/EC of 9 February established measures for the recovery of the stock in the Irish Sea, whereby measures were put in place to protect adult cod during the spawing season of 2000. During the period of application of these measures, further scientific work has been completed and practical experience gained which imply that the conditions applied in 2000 should be modified to a certain extent for 2001. In particular, two types of fishing which have been prohibited with in the area of the Irish Sea should now be permitted. Furthermore, these types of fishing should be subject to observation and to conditions whereby such activities will cease if the by-catch of cod becomes excessive. The present Regulation lays down measures to protect mature cod during their spawning season of 2001 in the Irish Sea. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 15/02/2001.�