Conservation of fishery resources in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound

OBJECTIVE: to amend for the seventh time Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound so as to take account of the recommendations of the 23rd session of the Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (September 1997 session). SUBSTANCE: Under the Convention on fishing and conservation of living resources in the Baltic Sea and the Belts - the Gdansk Convention - to which the Community has acceded, the Community is required to give effect in its own legislation to the measures adopted by the Baltic Sea Fishery Commission. Each year, the latter recommends maximum catch levels and certain technical measures to guarantee the conservation and responsible exploitation of fish stocks in the Baltic. At its 23rd session, in September 1997, the Baltic Sea Fishery Commission adopted fresh technical measures, to be applied from 1998. They mainly concern closed seasons for the plaice and flounder fishery and the salmon and sea trout fishery. The purpose of the European Commission's proposal is to enact Community legislation embodying these new measures.�