Annexes to COM(2009)484 - Establishment of the EC position to be adopted in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2009)484 - Establishment of the EC position to be adopted in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission.
document	COM(2009)484
date	September 21, 2009

ANNEX

The Community position in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission

1. PRINCIPLES

In the framework of the NEAFC, the European Community shall:

a) act in accordance with the objectives pursued by the Community within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy, notably through the precautionary approach to provide for the sustainable exploitation of species regulated by the NEAFC, to promote the gradual implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, and to minimise the impact of fishing activities on marine eco-systems, as well as through the promotion of economically viable and competitive Community fisheries, providing a fair standard of living for those who depend on fishing activities and taking account of the interests of consumers;

b) ensure that NEAFC measures are in accordance with the objectives of the NEAFC Convention;

c) ensure that NEAFC measures are consistent with international law, and in particular with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the UN Agreement relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and the Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas;

d) promote consistent positions within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations;

e) seek synergy with the policy that the Community is pursuing as part of its bilateral fisheries relations with third countries, and ensure coherence with its external relations policy;

f) ensure that the Community's international commitments are respected.

2. ORIENTATIONS

The European Community shall, where appropriate, endeavour to support the adoption of the following actions by the NEAFC:

a) conservation and management measures for fisheries resources in the NEAFC Regulatory Area and, where appropriate, the NEAFC Convention Area based on the best scientific advice available, including TACs and quotas for species regulated by the NEAFC Where necessary, specific measures for stocks which suffer from overfishing shall be considered in order to avoid any increase of fishing activities;

b) protective measures for vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in line with UNGA Resolutions;

c) reinforcement of monitoring, control and surveillance measures in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in order to strengthen compliance with NEAFC measures;

d) reinforcement of action against IUU fishing activities;

e) development of common approaches with other Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, including the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas;

f) additional technical measures based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea;

g) continued modernisation of the NEAFC following the performance review.

[1] OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59

[2] OJ L 227, 12.8.1981, p. 21