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Council Regulation (EU) 2023/195 of 30 January 2023 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/110 as regards the fishing opportunities for 2022 applicable in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas

Type Regulation

Publication 2023-01-31

State Expired

Department Council of the European Union

Source EUR-Lex

articles 25

Reform history JSON API

TITLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation fixes for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks available in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also clarifies the application, in 2022, of the compensation mechanism established by Regulation (EU) 2022/110 in relation to the effort regime for trawlers.

Article 2

Scope

This Regulation applies to Union fishing vessels operating in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and exploiting the following fish stocks:

(a) red coral (Corallium rubrum) and common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Mediterranean Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (b);

(b) blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the western Mediterranean Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (c);

(c) anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Adriatic Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (d);

(d) European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), common sole (Solea solea), deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the Adriatic Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (d);

(e) giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily, as defined in Article 4, point (e), in the Ionian Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (f), and in the Levant Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (g);

(f) blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Alboran Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (h);

(g) sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the Black Sea, as defined in Article 4, point (i).

This Regulation also applies to other Union fishing activities, including recreational fisheries, where they are expressly referred to in the relevant provisions.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply:

(a) ‘international waters’ means waters falling outside the sovereignty or jurisdiction of any State;

(b) ‘recreational fisheries’ means non-commercial fishing activities exploiting marine living aquatic resources for recreation, tourism or sport;

(c) ‘total allowable catch’ (TAC) means:
(i) in fisheries subject to the exemption of the landing obligation referred to in Article 15(4) to (7) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the quantity of fish that can be landed from each stock each year;
(ii) in all other fisheries, the quantity of fish that can be caught from each stock over the period of a year;

(d) ‘quota’ means a proportion of the TAC allocated to the Union or a Member State;

(e) ‘Union autonomous quota’ means a catch limit autonomously allocated to Union fishing vessels in the absence of an agreed TAC;

(f) ‘analytical quota’ means a Union autonomous quota for which an analytical assessment is available;

(g) ‘analytical assessment’ means a quantitative evaluation of trends in a given stock, based on data about the stock’s biology and exploitation, which scientific review has indicated to be of sufficient quality to provide scientific advice on options for future catches;

(h) ‘fish aggregating device’ (FAD) means any anchored equipment floating on the sea surface with the objective of attracting fish.

Article 4

Fishing zones

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following geographical zone definitions apply:

(a) ‘GFCM geographical subareas’ mean the areas defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0001]);

(b) ‘Mediterranean Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1 to 27, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(c) ‘western Mediterranean Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(d) ‘Adriatic Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 17 and 18, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(e) ‘Strait of Sicily’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(f) ‘Ionian Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 19, 20 and 21, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(g) ‘Levant Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 24, 25, 26 and 27, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(h) ‘Alboran Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subareas 1 to 3, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011;

(i) ‘Black Sea’ means the waters in GFCM geographical subarea 29, as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011.

TITLE II FISHING OPPORTUNITIES

CHAPTER I Mediterranean Sea

Article 5

Red coral

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities harvesting red coral (Corallium rubrum), namely targeted and recreational fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea.

For targeted fisheries, the maximum number of fishing authorisations and the maximum quantities of red coral stocks harvested by Union fishing vessels and by other Union fishing activities shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex I.

It shall be prohibited for Union fishing vessels subject to paragraph 2 to tranship red coral at sea.

For recreational fisheries, Member States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit the catch and retention on board or transhipment or landing of red coral.

Article 6

Common dolphinfish

This Article applies to all commercial activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities using fish aggregating devices for catching common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The maximum number of vessels authorised to fish for common dolphinfish is set out in Annex II.

CHAPTER II Western Mediterranean Sea

Article 7

Demersal stocks

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching demersal stocks referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022, in the western Mediterranean Sea.

The maximum allowable fishing effort for trawlers and longliners is set out in Annex III to this Regulation. Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 and Articles 26 to 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

The allocation among Member States of maximum catch limits for Union fishing vessels in Union waters of the western Mediterranean Sea is also set out in Annex III.

The allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States, as set out in this Article and Annex III, shall fulfil the following conditions:

(a) it shall be in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013; and

(b) it shall be without prejudice to:
(i) exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(ii) deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
(iii) additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(iv) quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or transferred under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(v) deductions made pursuant to Articles 105, 106 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

Article 8

Compensation mechanism

For the fleet segment concerned, a Member State may grant, in 2023, to vessels flying its flag an additional allocation of fishing days of 3,5 % calculated from the baseline between 2015 and 2017 of that Member State as set out in paragraph 4.

The Member State concerned shall notify to the Commission the list of the fishing vessels concerned by such an additional allocation of fishing days, as well as the related number of additional fishing days and the associated condition.

The additional allocation shall be calculated from the maximum effort allowed in the baseline between 2015 and 2017 for the relevant fleet segment of the Member State concerned, as from 1 January 2023.

A Member State may grant the additional allocation of fishing days referred to in paragraph 1, provided that a vessel fulfils one of the following conditions:

(a) the vessel uses a trawl net with a 45 mm square-mesh codend in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of the juveniles of hake;

(b) the vessel uses a trawl net with a 50 mm square-mesh codend for deep-water fisheries in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of blue and red shrimps with a carapace length (CL) of less than 25 mm in geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and to reduce by at least 25 % catches of giant red shrimps with a CL of less than 35 mm in the geographical subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11;

(c) the vessel uses a regulated highly selective gear, the technical specifications of which result in, according to the scientific study by STECF, a reduction of at least 25 % of catches of juveniles of all demersal species or at least 20 % of catches of spawners of all demersal species compared to 2020, such as a sorting grid with 20 mm spacing;

(d) the Member State concerned has established temporary closure areas in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juveniles of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species;

(e) the Member State concerned has adopted a new minimum conservation reference size for hake of at least 26 cm, in order to progressively reach the length at first maturity; or

(f) the Member State concerned has set a closure of at least four continuous weeks for fishing activities with trawlers in the areas and periods recognised as important, on the basis of the best available scientific advice, for the protection of spawners of hake stocks. Such areas shall also account for spatial patterns of spawners’ distribution, including depths from 150 m to 500 m. The periods of the temporary fishing closure shall be from February to March and from October to November.

The Member State concerned shall also separately notify every month to the Commission the effort deployed to be counted against the additional allocation referred to in paragraph 4, by using the specific reporting codes for that allocation.

The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission, by 15 October at the latest, all available information related to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 4, points (a) to (f).

Article 9

Data recording and transmission

Member States shall record and transmit the fishing effort data to the Commission in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022.

When submitting effort data to the Commission in accordance with this Article, Member States shall use the fishing effort group codes set out in Annex III.

CHAPTER III Adriatic Sea

Article 10

Small pelagic stocks

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Adriatic Sea.

The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex IV.

The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish small pelagic stocks, is set out in Annex IV.

Article 11

Demersal stocks

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching European hake (Merluccius merluccius), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), Common sole (Solea solea), Deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the Adriatic Sea.

The maximum allowable fishing effort for demersal stocks and the maximum fleet capacity within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex IV.

A Member State may amend its fishing effort allocation as set out in Annex IV by transferring fishing days across fishing effort groups of the same geographical area and/or gear, provided that it applies a national conversion factor which is supported by the best available scientific advice.

Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

Article 12

Data transmission

When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks caught, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex IV.

CHAPTER IV Strait of Sicily

Article 13

Demersal stocks

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily.

The maximum level of catches of deep-water rose shrimp shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex V.

The maximum allowable fishing effort for hake and the maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article are set out in Annex V.

Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

Article 14

Deep-water shrimps

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily.

The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks is set out in Annex V.

The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex V.

Article 15

Data transmission

CHAPTER V Ionian Sea and Levant Sea

Article 16

Deep-water shrimps

The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks is set out in Annex VI.

The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VI.

CHAPTER VI Alboran Sea

Article 17

Blackspot seabream

This Article applies to commercial and recreational fishing with longlines and handlines by Union fishing vessels catching blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Alboran Sea.

The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VII.

The maximum number of longlines and handlines authorised to fish for blackspot seabream is set out in Annex VII.

For recreational fishing activities, the maximum number of catches shall be limited to one fish per fisher per day. The minimum conservation reference size of 40 cm for blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) shall apply to recreational fisheries in the Alboran Sea. Recreational fishing for this species shall be prohibited during the closure period of commercial fisheries set at national level.

CHAPTER VII Black Sea

Article 18

Allocation of fishing opportunities for sprat

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the Black Sea.

The Union autonomous quota for sprat, the allocation of such quota among Member States and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in Annex VIII.

Article 19

Allocation of fishing opportunities for turbot

This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the Black Sea.

The TAC for turbot applicable in Union waters in the Black Sea and the allocation of such TAC among Member States and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in Annex VIII.

Article 20

Management of fishing effort for turbot

Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for turbot within the scope of Article 19, irrespective of a vessel’s overall length, shall not exceed 180 fishing days per year.

Article 21

Closure period for turbot

It shall be prohibited for Union fishing vessels to carry out any fishing activity, including retaining on board, transhipment, landing and first sale of turbot in Union waters in the Black Sea from 15 April to 15 June.

Article 22

Special provisions on allocations of fishing opportunities in the Black Sea

The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States as set out in Articles 18 and 19 shall be without prejudice to:

(a) exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

(b) deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

Article 23

Data transmission

When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks of sprat and turbot caught in Union waters in the Black Sea, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex VIII to this Regulation.

TITLE III FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 24

Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2022/110

Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2022/110 is amended in accordance with Annex IX to this Regulation.

Article 25

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2023.

However, Article 24 shall apply from 1 January 2022.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

ANNEX I

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GFCM MULTIANNUAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RED CORAL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The tables in this Annex set out the maximum allowable number of fishing authorisations and the maximum level of harvested quantities of red coral in the Mediterranean Sea.

References to fishing zones are references to the GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Corallium rubrum	COL	Red coral

Table 1

Maximum number of fishing authorisations [^E0002]

Member States	Red coral COL
Greece	12
Spain	0 [^E0003]
France	32
Croatia	28
Italy	40

Representing number of vessels and/or divers, or a pair of one diver with one vessel, authorised to harvest red coral.

According to the temporary ban for red coral fisheries established in Spanish waters.

Table 2

Maximum level of harvested quantities expressed in tonnes live weight

Species:	Red coral Corallium rubrum	Red coral Corallium rubrum	Zone:	Union waters in the Mediterranean Sea – GSAs 1-27 (COL/GF1-27)
Greece	1,844		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Spain	0 [^E0004]		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
France	1,400		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Croatia	1,226		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Italy	1,378		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Union	5,848		Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
TAC	Not relevant/Not agreed	Not relevant/Not agreed	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

According to the temporary ban for red coral fisheries established in Spanish waters.

ANNEX II

FISHING EFFORT FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON DOLPHINFISH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The table in this Annex sets out the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for common dolphinfish in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

References to fishing zones are references to the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Coryphaena hippurus	DOL	Common dolphinfish

Maximum number of fishing authorisations for vessels operating in international waters [^E0005]

Member State	Common dolphinfish DOL
Italy	797
Malta	130

This quota may be fished only between 15 August and 31 December 2023 in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011.

ANNEX III

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF DEMERSAL STOCKS IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The tables in this Annex set out the maximum allowable fishing effort (in fishing days) by stock groups, as defined in Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022, maximum catch limits and overall length of vessels for all types of trawls ([^E0006]) and demersal longliners fishing for demersal stocks.

All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 and Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Aristaeomorpha foliacea	ARS	Giant red shrimp
Aristeus antennatus	ARA	Blue and red shrimp
Merluccius merluccius	HKE	European hake
Mullus barbatus	MUT	Red mullet
Nephrops norvegicus	NEP	Norway lobster
Parapenaeus longirostris	DPS	Deep-water rose shrimp

1. Maximum allowable fishing effort in fishing days

(a) Number of fishing days for trawlers in Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1-2-5-6-7) Stock group Overall length of vessels Spain France Italy Fishing effort group code Additional allocation code Red mullet in GSAs 1, 5, 6 and 7; Hake in GSAs 1, 5, 6 and 7; Deep-water rose shrimp in GSAs 1, 5 and 6; Norway lobster in GSAs 5 and 6 < 12 m 1 745 0 0 EFF1/MED1_TR1 EFF1/MED1_TR1_AA ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 18 752 0 0 EFF1/MED1_TR2 EFF1/MED1_TR2_AA ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 35 184 3 972 0 EFF1/MED1_TR3 EFF1/MED1_TR3_AA ≥ 24 m 12 392 4 833 0 EFF1/MED1_TR4 EFF1/MED1_TR4_AA Blue and red shrimp in GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 < 12 m 0 0 0 EFF2/MED1_TR1 EFF2/MED1_TR1_AA ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 879 0 0 EFF2/MED1_TR2 EFF2/MED1_TR2_AA ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 8 908 0 0 EFF2/MED1_TR3 EFF2/MED1_TR3_AA ≥ 24 m 7 151 0 0 EFF2/MED1_TR4 EFF2/MED1_TR4_AA

(b) Number of fishing days for trawlers in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8-9-10-11) Stock group Overall length of vessels Spain France Italy Fishing effort group code Additional allocation code Red mullet in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11; Hake in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11; Deep-water rose shrimp in GSAs 9, 10 and 11; Norway lobster in GSAs 9 and 10 < 12 m 0 161 2 294 EFF1/MED2_TR1 EFF1/MED2_TR1_AA ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 0 644 34 505 EFF1/MED2_TR2 EFF1/MED2_TR2_AA ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 0 161 23 205 EFF1/MED2_TR3 EFF1/MED2_TR3_AA ≥ 24 m 0 161 3 097 EFF1/MED2_TR4 EFF1/MED2_TR4_AA Giant red shrimp in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11 < 12 m 0 0 379 EFF2/MED2_TR1 EFF2/MED2_TR1_AA ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 0 0 2 799 EFF2/MED2_TR2 EFF2/MED2_TR2_AA ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 0 0 2 253 EFF2/MED2_TR3 EFF2/MED2_TR3_AA ≥ 24 m 0 0 302 EFF2/MED2_TR4 EFF2/MED2_TR4_AA

(c) Number of fishing days for demersal longliners in Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1-2-5-6-7) Stock group Overall length of vessels Spain France Italy Fishing effort group code Hake in GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 < 12 m 9 433 6 432 0 EFF1/MED1_LL1 ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 2 148 93 0 EFF1/MED1_LL2 ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 74 0 0 EFF1/MED1_LL3 ≥ 24 m 29 0 0 EFF1/MED1_LL4

(d) Number of fishing days for demersal longliners in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8-9-10-11) Stock group Overall length of vessels Spain France Italy Fishing effort group code Hake in GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11 < 12 m 0 1 650 33 187 EFF1/MED2_LL1 ≥ 12 m and < 18 m 0 51 4 748 EFF1/MED2_LL2 ≥ 18 m and < 24 m 0 0 26 EFF1/MED2_LL3 ≥ 24 m 0 0 0 EFF1/MED2_LL4

2. Maximum catch limits for deep-water shrimps

(a) Fishing opportunities for blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1-2-5-6-7), expressed as maximum level of catches in tonnes live weight Species: Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus Zone: GSAs 1-2-5-6-7 (ARA/GF1-7) Spain 828

Maximum level of catches France 53 Italy 0 Union 881 TAC Not relevant

- (b) Fishing opportunities for blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8-9-10-11), expressed as maximum level of catches in tonnes live weight

Species: Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus Zone: GSAs 8-9-10-11 (ARA/GF8-11) Spain 0

Maximum level of catches

France 9 Italy 243 Union 252 TAC Not relevant Species: Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Zone: GSAs 8-9-10-11 (ARS/GF8-11) Spain 0

Maximum level of catches France 5 Italy 354 Union 359 TAC Not relevant

ANNEX IV

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE ADRIATIC SEA

The tables in this Annex set out the fishing opportunities by stock or vessels effort groups and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, including the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish small pelagic stocks.

All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Engraulis encrasicolus	ANE	Anchovy
Merluccius merluccius	HKE	European hake
Mullus barbatus	MUT	Red mullet
Nephrops norvegicus	NEP	Norway lobster
Parapenaeus longirostris	DPS	Deep-water rose shrimp
Sardina pilchardus	PIL	Sardine
Solea solea	SOL	Common sole

Small pelagic stocks – GSAs 17 and 18

Maximum level of catches expressed in tonnes live weight

Species:	Small pelagic species (anchovy and sardine) Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus	Small pelagic species (anchovy and sardine) Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus	Zone:	Union and international waters of GFCM – GSAs 17 and 18 (SP1/GF1718)
Italy	32 941	[^E0007]	Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Croatia	51 735	[^E0007]	Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
TAC	Not relevant		Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.	Maximum level of catches Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.

Concerning Slovenia, the quantities are based on the level of catches exerted in 2014, up to an amount that should not exceed 300 tonnes.

Maximum fleet capacity of trawlers and purse seiners actively fishing for small pelagic stocks

| Member State | Gear | Number of vessels | kW | GT |

| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Croatia | PS | 249 | 77 145,52 | 18 537,72 | | Italy | PTM-OTM-PS | 685 | 134 556,7 | 25 852 | | Slovenia [^E0008] | PS | 4 | 433,7 | 38,5 |

The provision under paragraph 28 of GFCM/44/2021/20 shall not apply to national fleets of fewer than ten purse seiners and/or pelagic trawlers actively fishing for small pelagic stocks, as recorded both in national and GFCM register in 2014. In such a case, the capacity of the active fleet may increase by not more than 50 % in number of vessels and in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT) and kW.

Demersal stocks – GSAs 17 and 18

Maximum allowable fishing effort (in fishing days) by types of trawls and fleet segment fishing for demersal stocks in GSAs 17 and 18 (Adriatic Sea)

					Fishing days 2023	Fishing days 2023	Fishing days 2023
Gear type	Geographical area	Stocks concerned	Overall length of vessels	Effort group code	ITALY	CROATIA	SLOVENIA
Trawls (OTB)	GFCM sub-areas 17-18	Red mullet; Hake; Deep-water rose shrimp, and Norway lobster	< 12 m	EFF/MED3_OTB_TR1	3 275	10 097	[^E0009]
Trawls (OTB)	GFCM sub-areas 17-18	Red mullet; Hake; Deep-water rose shrimp, and Norway lobster	≥ 12 m and < 24 m	EFF/MED3_OTB_TR2	73 599	23 524	[^E0009]
Trawls (OTB)	GFCM sub-areas 17-18	Red mullet; Hake; Deep-water rose shrimp, and Norway lobster	≥ 24 m	EFF/MED3_OTB_TR3	6 449	2 112	[^E0009]
Beam trawls (TBB)	GFCM sub-area 17	Common sole	< 12 m	EFF/MED3_TBB_TR1	194	0	0
Beam trawls (TBB)	GFCM sub-area 17	Common sole	≥ 12 m and < 24 m	EFF/MED3_TBB_TR2	3 635	0	0
Beam trawls (TBB)	GFCM sub-area 17	Common sole	≥ 24 m	EFF/MED3_TBB_TR3	3 614	0	0

Slovenia shall not exceed the effort limit of 3 000 fishing days per year in accordance with paragraph 13 of GFCM/43/2019/5.

Maximum fleet capacity of bottom trawlers and beam trawl vessels authorised for fishing demersal stocks

| Member State | Gear | Number of vessels | kW | GT |

| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Croatia | OTB | 495 | 79 867,99 | 13 267,99 | | Italy | OTB-TBB | 1 363 | 260 618,37 | 47 148 | | Slovenia [^E0010] | OTB | 11 | 1 813,00 | 168,67 |

The provisions of paragraphs 9(c) and 28 of GFCM/43/2019/5 shall not apply to national fleets operating with OTB and fishing for less than 1 000 days during the reference period mentioned in paragraph 9(c). The fishing capacity of the active fleet operating with OTB shall not increase by more than 50 % with respect to the reference period.

ANNEX V

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE STRAIT OF SICILY

All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Merluccius merluccius	HKE	European hake
Parapenaeus longirostris	DPS	Deep-water rose shrimp
Aristaeomorpha foliacea	ARS	Giant red shrimp
Aristeus antennatus	ARA	Blue and red shrimp

Demersal Stocks

- (a) Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish demersal stocks in Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16)

Member State Gear Number of vessels kW GT Cyprus OTB 1 265 105 Spain OTB 1 100 118 Italy OTB 594 144 175 36 856 Malta OTB 15 5 562 2 007

(b) Maximum level of fishing effort, expressed in number of fishing days, for bottom trawl vessels targeting European Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16) Member State Gear Vessel Length Effort group code Fishing Days 2023 CYP OTB T-12 EFF4/MED4_OTB4 51 ITA OTB T-07 EFF4/MED4_OTB1 90 ITA OTB T-10 EFF4/MED4_OTB2 188 ITA OTB T-11 EFF4/MED4_OTB3 19 366 ITA OTB T-12 EFF4/MED4_OTB4 3 657

MLT OTB T-11 EFF4/MED4_OTB3 338

MLT OTB T-12 EFF4/MED4_OTB4 165

- (c) Maximum level of catches of deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16) expressed in tonnes live weight

Species: Deep-water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris Zone: GSAs 12-13-14-15-16 (DPS/GF12-16) Italy 2 147

Maximum level of catches

Cyprus 1 Malta 6 Union 2 154 TAC Not relevant

Deep-water shrimps

(a) Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16) Member State Gear Number of vessels kW GT Cyprus OTB 1 105 265 Spain OTB 2 440,56 218,78 Italy OTB 320 93 756 26 076

Malta OTB 15 5 562 2 007

(b) Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Zone: GSAs 12-13-14-15-16 (ARS/GF12-16) Spain 1

Maximum level of catches

Italy 870 Cyprus 0 Malta 37 Union 908 TAC Not relevant

(c) Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Strait of Sicily (GSAs 12-13-14-15-16) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus Zone: GSAs 12-13-14-15-16 (ARA/GF12-16) Spain 1

Maximum level of catches Italy 101 Cyprus 0 Malta 2 Union 104 TAC Not relevant

ANNEX VI

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE IONIAN SEA AND THE LEVANT SEA

The tables in this Annex set out the maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks in the Ionian Sea and the Levant Sea.

References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names of fish stocks is provided:

| Scientific name | Alpha-3 code | Common name |

| --- | --- | --- | | Aristaeomorpha foliacea | ARS | Giant red shrimp | | Aristeus antennatus | ARA | Blue and red shrimp |

1. Ionian Sea

(a) Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21) Member State Gear Number of vessels kW GT Greece OTB 240 69 281 23 101 Italy OTB 410 95 996 22 252 Malta OTB 15 5 562 2 007

(b) Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Zone: GSAs 19-20-21 (ARS/GF19-21) Greece 34

Maximum level of catches

Italy 313 Malta 46 Union 393 TAC Not relevant

(c) Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Ionian Sea (GSAs 19, 20 and 21) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus Zone: GSAs 19-20-21 (ARA/GF19-21) Greece 15

Maximum level of catches Italy 250 Malta 0 Union 265 TAC Not relevant

Levant Sea

(a) Maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawler vessels authorised to fish deep-water shrimp stocks in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27) Member State Gear Number of vessels kW GT Cyprus OTB 6 2 048 618 Italy OTB 80 37 192 13 199

(b) Maximum level of catches of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Zone: GSAs 24-25-26-27 (ARS/GF24-27) Italy 48

Maximum level of catches Cyprus 12 Union 60 TAC Not relevant

(c) Maximum level of catches of blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) in the Levant Sea (GSAs 24, 25, 26 and 27) expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus Zone: GSAs 24-25-26-27 (ARA/GF24-27) Italy 10

Maximum level of catches Cyprus 6 Union 16 TAC Not relevant

ANNEX VII

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE ALBORAN SEA

(a) Maximum level of catches carried out by longlines and handlines, expressed in tonnes live weight Species: Blackspot seabream Pagellus boraraveo Zone: Union waters in the Alboran Sea – GSAs 1-2-3 (SBR/GF1-3) Spain 32

Maximum level of catches Union 32 TAC Not relevant

(b) Maximum number of longlines and handlines authorised for fishing in Alboran Sea (GSAs 1-2-3) Member State Blackspot seabream in GSAs 1-2-3 Spain 82

ANNEX VIII

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS IN THE BLACK SEA

The tables in this Annex set out TACs and quotas expressed in tonnes live weight by stock and, where appropriate, conditions functionally linked thereto.

All fishing opportunities set out in this Annex shall be subject to the rules set out in Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

References to fishing zones are references to GFCM GSAs.

For the purposes of this Annex, the following comparative table of Latin names and common names is provided:

Scientific name	Alpha-3 code	Common name
Sprattus sprattus	SPR	Sprat
Scophthalmus maximus	TUR	Turbot
Species:	Sprat Sprattus sprattus	Sprat Sprattus sprattus
---	---	---
Bulgaria	8 032,50
Romania	3 442,50
Union	11 475
TAC	Not relevant/Not agreed
Species:	Turbot Scophthalmus maximus	Turbot Scophthalmus maximus
---	---	---
Bulgaria	92,143
Romania	80,357
Union	172,5	[^E0011]
TAC	857

No fishing activity, including retaining on board, transhipment, landing and first sale shall be permitted from 15 April to 15 June 2023.

ANNEX IX

AMENDMENT TO REGULATION (EU) 2022/110

Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2022/110 is amended as follows:

(1) in point (a) (the table relating to trawlers in Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion (GSAs 1-2-5-6-7)), footnote 2 is replaced by the following: ‘(²)In addition to the above-mentioned maximum allowable fishing effort for trawlers, a Member State may grant to vessels flying its flag an additional allocation of fishing days within an overall 2 % of the fishing effort of that Member State for the fleet segment concerned, provided that:
(a) those vessels use a trawl net with a 45 mm square-mesh codend in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of the juveniles of hake; or
(b) those vessels use a trawl net with a 50 mm square-mesh codend for deep-water fisheries in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of blue and red shrimps with a CL of less than 25 mm in geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and to reduce by at least 25 % catches of giant red shrimps with a CL of less than 35 mm in the geographical subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11; or
(c) those vessels use a regulated highly selective gear, the technical specifications of which result in, according to the scientific study by STECF, at least a reduction of 25 % of catches of juveniles of all demersal species or at least 20 % of catches of spawners of all demersal species compared to 2020; or
(d) the Member State concerned has adopted temporary closure areas in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juveniles of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species. The Member State concerned shall notify to the Commission the list of the fishing vessels concerned by such an additional allocation of fishing days, as well as the related number of additional fishing days. The Member State concerned shall also notify to the Commission for every month the effort deployed to be counted against that additional allocation, by using the specific reporting codes for that allocation (EFF1/MED1_TR1_AA, EFF1/MED1_TR2_AA, EFF1/MED1_TR3_AA, EFF1/MED1_TR4_AA and EFF2/MED1_TR1_AA, EFF2/MED1_TR2_AA, EFF2/MED1_TR3_AA, EFF2/MED1_TR4_AA). The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission, by 15 October at the latest, all available information related to the implementation of the measures referred to in points (a), (b), (c) and (d). The overall 2 % of the fishing effort shall be calculated from the maximum allowed effort allocation of the relevant fleet segment of the Member State concerned, as from 1 January 2022.’;

(2) in point (b) (the table relating to trawlers in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island (GSAs 8-9-10-11)), footnote 3 is replaced by the following: ‘(³)In addition to the above-mentioned maximum allowable fishing effort for trawlers, a Member State may grant to vessels flying its flag an additional allocation of fishing days within an overall 2 % of the fishing effort of that Member State for the fleet segment concerned. A Member State may do so, provided that:
(a) those vessels use a trawl net with a 45 mm square-mesh codend in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of the juveniles of hake; or
(b) those vessels use a trawl net with a 50 mm square-mesh codend for deep-water fisheries in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of blue and red shrimps with a CL of less than 25 mm in geographical subareas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and to reduce by at least 25 % catches of giant red shrimps with a CL of less than 35 mm in the geographical subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11; or
(c) those vessels use a regulated highly selective gear, the technical specifications of which result in, according to the scientific study by STECF, at least a reduction of 25 % of catches of juveniles of all demersal species or at least 20 % of catches of spawners of all demersal species compared to 2020; or
(d) the Member State concerned has adopted temporary closure areas in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juveniles of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species. The Member State concerned shall notify to the Commission the list of the fishing vessels concerned by such an additional allocation of fishing days, as well as the related number of additional fishing days. The Member State concerned shall also notify to the Commission for every month the effort deployed to be counted against that additional allocation, by using the specific reporting codes for that allocation (EFF1/MED2_TR1_AA, EFF1/MED2_TR2_AA, EFF1/MED2_TR3_AA, EFF1/MED2_TR4_AA and EFF2/MED2_TR1_AA, EFF2/MED2_TR2_AA, EFF2/MED2_TR3_AA, EFF2/MED2_TR4_AA). The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission, by 15 October at the latest, all available information related to the implementation of the measures referred to in points (a), (b), (c) and (d). The overall 2 % of the fishing effort shall be calculated from the maximum allowed effort allocation of the relevant fleet segment of the Member State concerned, as from 1 January 2022.’.

[^E0001]: Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea (OJ L 347, 30.12.2011, p. 44).

[^E0006]: TBB, OTB, PTB, TBN, TBS, TB, OTM, PTM, TMS, TM, OTT, OT, PT, TX, OTP, TSP.

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