Control measures in the area covered by the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in the north-east Atlantic fisheries

PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 2791/1999/EC in order to extend the ad hoc application of certain articles until 31/12/04. CONTENT : Council Regulation 2791/1999/EC lays down the general rules for the application of the Scheme of control in respect of fishing vessels fishing in areas beyond the limits of national fisheries jurisdiction in the NEAFC Convention area ('the Scheme'). The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission adopted recommendations in November 2002 to amend the Scheme with regard to transhipments and joint fishing operations. These recommendations became binding on the Contracting Parties on 6 February 2003, and the Regulation must be amended in order to incorporate the recommendations. Article 30 of Regulation 2791/1999/EC provides for certain Articles to remain in force on an ad hoc basis until 31 December 2002. The Commission should have submitted any appropriate proposals providing for a definitive regime by 30/09/02. Pending a proposal providing for a definitive regime, the ad hoc application of Articles 6(3), 8, 10 and 11 must be extended until 31 December 2004. The Commission will submit a proposal for a definitive regime before this date. In this context, the Commission will consider options for a definitive regime in NEAFC, in the light of the outcome of the feasibility study on the Joint Inspections Structure, to be carried out in co-ordination with the Member States.�