Catch documentation scheme for Dissostichus spp.: improving the control of landings, imports, exports, re-exports and transhipments

PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 1035/2001/EC establishing a catch documentation scheme for Dissostichus spp.

PROPOSED ACT : Council Regulation.

CONTENT : Council Regulation 1035/2001/EC establishing a catch documentation scheme for Dissostichus spp implements the catch documentation scheme adopted by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, hereinafter called "CCAMLR" at its eighteenth Annual Meeting in November 1999.

At its twenty-second Annual Meeting in November 2003, the CCAMLR made a number of amendments to the scheme and to a related resolution aimed at improving the control of landings of Dissostichus spp. and the monitoring of the documentation scheme.

It also noted that landings in the ports of countries applying the scheme were in certain cases validated by the authorities of the Flag State rather than by the competent authorities of the port.

Aware of the fact that these differing practices could lead to the fraudulent use of the catch documentation scheme in view of their affect on the monitoring of its application, the CCAMLR decide to make a number of amendments to improve the documentation system and, in particular, to specify the authorities responsible for validating landings of Dissostichus spp. on catch documents. It was also decided to amend the resolution on the use of ports of countries not applying the catch documentation scheme for Dissostichus spp, to stipulate that vessels with a fishing licence for Dissostichus spp. must land their catches in countries applying the scheme and to lay down the list of those countries. This amendment to the resolution was supported by the Community and, although it does not constitute a binding legal document, it should be transposed into Community law.

Since the catch documentation scheme applies to all trade in Dissostichus spp, the term "import" should be defined. Regulation 1035/2001 should consequently be amended.