Conservation of fishery resources: passive gear (17th amend. Regul. 3094/86/EEC)

The committee unanimously adopted the report concerning the Commission's proposals in respect of mesh size of nets used in passive gear ie fixed gill nets - existing regulations (3094/86 EEC) dealing only with towed nets. The rapport fully accepted the Commission's policy of 'adapting technical measures for the conservation of fishery ressorces to the latest findings and opinions', but called for an appropriate control system to be included in Regulation (EEC) n 2847/93. An amendment by M. Pat the Cope Gallagher (EDA.IRL) was adopted, calling for a transitional period of 15 months to ease the impact on fishermen of implementing the regulation. Without committing the Commission, its representative accepted the general thrust of the amendment saying that they were not adverse to a transition period and accepted that a precedent existed in Baltic fisheries.