Observer scheme applicable to Community fishing vessels in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO): binding recommendation

OBJECTIVE: approval of new measures by the NAFO Fisheries Commission modifying th e observer scheme applicable to Community vessels operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area. SUBSTANCE: In September 1996 the NAFO Fisheries Commission adopted measures modifying the observer scheme applicable to fishing vessels operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area, which the Community now has to approve. These measures require: -the observers assigned to the observer scheme to collect data on discards and retain undersized fish following a detailed procedure, -masters of the fishing vessels operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area to provide the two observers access to the retained catch and catch which is intended to be discarded. The introduction of these measures will assist the observers in the fulfilment of their duties. The adoption of the proposal will not have any financial implications for the EC budget. �