Conservation of fishery resources: recovery of cod stocks in the Irish Sea

PURPOSE : to establish additional technical measures for the recovery of the stock of cod in the Irish Sea (ICES Division VIIa). CONTENT : this Regulation lays down technical measures additional to those defined in Regulation 850/98/EC shall apply exclusively to the Irish Sea (ICES Division VIIa, as defined in Council Regulation 3880/91/EEC on the submission of national catch statistics by Member States fishing in the Northeast Atlantic). Recent scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea indicates that the quantity of mature cod currently present in the Irish Sea is at a historical low level and that its quantity is likely to decrease further in the next two years. This gives rise to concern that it cannot readily replenish itself by reproduction. Steps have already been taken to protect mature cod during the spawning season of 2000 to allow them to produce as many eggs as possible in the hope that this will result in abundant young cod this year. In addition, it is widely recognised by all concerned that too many juvenile cod are killed each year and that if more survived, the quantity of adult cod would increase. This is the purpose of this proposal. Eight conditions are defined which will apply exclusively in the Irish Sea and which will be additional to conditions already applicable within the Regulation 850/98 which defines the technical measures throughout Community waters.�