Fishing in certain areas other than the North Atlantic: nominal catch statistics by Member States

- OBJECTIVE: in accordance with the Community's obligations to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), to provide this organisation with statistics on the fish catches of Member States which are engaged in fishing in certain areas other than the North Atlantic. - COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation (EC) No 2597/95 on the communication of nominal catch statistics of Member States engaged in fishing in certain areas other than the North Atlantic. - SUBSTANCE: Under the present regulation the Community undertakes to submit the nominal catch statistics of Member States engaged in fishing in certain areas other than the North Atlantic. These statistics have proved to be necessary in order that the EU might fulfil its obligations as a member of the FAO and at the same time acquire its own information on the activities of its fishing vessels in these waters, in order to contribute to the management of fishery resources in these zones. The regulation transforms into European legislation certain STATLANT questionnaires which are used by Member States to communicate their nominal catch statistics to international organisations, information which previously was provided on an informal basis. Data on catches include all fishery products which are landed or transshipped at sea in whatever form. They exclude catches which are thrown back into the sea, consumed on board or used as bait. The data relating to each calendar year are submitted every 6 months following the end of the year in question. An annex to the regulation specifies the main zones for which statistics have to be submitted (the eastern central Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the south western and south eastern Atlantic and the western Indian Ocean), together with the species of fish for which data have to be provided as a function of the zone where they are fished. The Commission will administer the collection of these data (which are to be submitted by Member States in a precise format). The standing committee for agricultural statistics will be responsible for assisting the Commission in its task. - ENTRY INTO FORCE: 14.11.1995 (applicable from 01.01.1995) �