Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2003)175 - Management of fishing fleets registered in the outermost regions

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dossier COM(2003)175 - Management of fishing fleets registered in the outermost regions.
source COM(2003)175 EN
date 02-05-2003
When the new Community fleet capacity management arrangements were adopted in December 2002 the Council and Commission considered that the fleets of the outermost regions (OR)  i merited more favourable treatment  i than that accorded to continental fleets, given the ORs' structural, social and economic position.

This treatment would amount to allowing moderate expansion of the fleets with aid from the Structural Funds (FIFG) provided that the resource situation permitted. For this waivers are needed from Article 13 (fleet entry/exit scheme) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002  i and from Article 9(1)(c) (fleet modernisation aid) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999  i, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002  i.

The Commission proposal incorporating these waivers,

- provides for reference levels for each OR fleet segment that correspond to the objectives of the multiannual guidance programmes IV (MAGP IV) and the actual fishing opportunities where these objectives do not exist (Canary Islands);

- permits the use of public fleet construction and modernisation aid for this purpose, allowing expansion within the reference limits of the capacity determined for each segment; but once the reference level is reached the standard provisions of Community law will also apply to these fleets;

- ends the waiver period on 31 December 2006, this being the last payment date for aid under the general fleet renewal aid scheme, which terminates at the end of 2004;

- by way of derogation from the rules covering continental fleets, prevent any transfer of vessels from or to the continent;

- provides for adjustment of fleet management and control tools;

- provides for possible adoption of a Commission Regulation containing implementing rules.