link to page 1
Council of the
European Union
Brussels, 5 October 2018
(OR. en)
12693/18
Interinstitutional File:
2018/0320(NLE)
LIMITE
PECHE 373
NOTE
From:
Presidency
To:
Permanent Representatives Committee
Subject:
Proposal for a Council Regulation fixing for 2019 the fishing opportunities
for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea
- Political agreement
I.
INTRODUCTION
1.
On 31 August 2018, the European Commission submitted to the Council a proposal for a
Council Regulation fixing for 2019 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups
of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea
1.
2.
Given the improvement of the situation for some stocks, the Commission proposes, in relation
to the 2018 level, to increase the TACs for 5 stocks :
Herring in the Gulf of Riga in
subdivision 28.1,
Western Cod in subdivisions 22-24,
Plaice in subdivisions 22-32,
Atlantic
Salmon in subdivisions 22-31 and
Sprat in subdivisions 22-32.
3.
The Commission proposes to decrease the TACs for the remaining 5 stocks :
Herring in the
Gulf of Bothnia in subdivisions 30-31,
Herring in the Western Baltic in subdivisions 22-
24,
Herring in the Central Baltic in subdivisions 25, 27, 28.2, 29 and 32,
and
Salmon in the
Gulf of Finland in subdivision 32.
1
Cf. doc. 11735/18 PECHE 320 + ADD1.
12693/18
AZ/nm
LIFE.2.A.
LIMITE
EN
link to page 2 link to page 2
4.
The European Parliament's and the European Economic and Social Committee's opinions are
not required (Art 43(3) TFEU).
5.
The Working Party on Internal and External Fisheries examined the proposal at its meetings
on 4, 6, 13 and 20 September 2018. An overview of delegations' positions is set out in doc.
12070/18 REV 1 PECHE 335.
6.
DK and UK entered parliamentary scrutiny reservations.
7.
The Presidency believes that the discussions and the final decision should be guided by the
following principles:
•
A strong commitment to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as laid
down in Art. 39 of the TFEU and Art. 2 of the CFP
2, including the achievement of MSY
no later than 2020.
•
The compliance with the provisions of the multi-annual plan for the stocks of cod,
herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea
3 ("Baltic Plan").
•
The consideration of objective scientific advice.
•
Sustained efforts to reach a consensual solution at regional level through BALTFISH.
II. OUTSTANDING ISSUES
A. State of play
8.
For
Herring in the Gulf of Bothnia (subdivisions 30-31), the Commission proposes in line
with the scientific advice a small reduction of the TAC (-7%) as compared to the TAC for
2018 following the in-year amendment. FI and SE can agree with the Commission proposal.
2
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the
Common Fisheries Policy amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing
Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354,
28.12.2013, p. 22).
3
Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 establishing a
multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks,
amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 (OJ L 191,
15.7.2016, p. 1–15).
12693/18
AZ/nm
1
LIFE.2.A.
LIMITE
EN
9.
The Commission proposes - 63% for
Herring in the Western Baltic (subdivisions 22-24),
whereas ICES advises a zero TAC. SE can support the Commission proposal. DE and DK
call for a smaller reduction in line with the Baltic Plan. PL believes that a significant TAC
reduction may have socio-economic implications.
10. In relation to
Herring in the Central Baltic Sea (subdivisions 25-27, 28.2, 29, 32), the
Commission proposes a lower decrease (-26%) than the one suggested by ICES by using the
upper end of the Fmsy range to limit the year-to-year variations in fishing opportunities. DE,
FI and SE can support the Commission proposal. EE, LT and LV advocate for a smaller
decrease (-20%). DK stresses the importance of setting TACs for Herring and Sprat that
reflect the catch composition.
11. For
Herring in the Gulf of Riga (subdivisions 28.1), the Commission proposes a small
increase (7%) in line with the scientific advice. LV and EE can agree with the Commission
proposal.
12. In relation to
Eastern Cod (subdivisions 25-32), the Commission proposes a lower reduction
(-15%) than the scientific advice. DE, FI and SE could support a higher reduction given the
current state of the stock. EE, LT and LV are in favor of a moderate reduction. Regarding the
additional measures to protect the stock, DK and LT are not in favor of a closure period. SE
supports a decision based on the latest scientific advice. PL insists on the need to adopt
protection measures.
13. As regards
Western Cod (subdivisions 22-24), the Commission proposes an increase of 31%
corresponding to the lowest value within the range of Fmsy. DE and DK advocate for a higher
TAC increase in line with the scientific advice and support the removal of the closure period.
EE, FI, LT, PL and SE call for a cautious approach.
14. In relation to
Plaice, the Commission proposes a TAC increase (43%). DE is in favour of a
higher increase. SE supports the Commission proposal.
12693/18
AZ/nm
2
LIFE.2.A.
LIMITE
EN
15. For
Atlantic Salmon (subdivisions 22-31), the Commission proposes a smaller increase
(15%) than the scientific advice. DE, DK and PL can support the Commission proposal. FI
and SE defend a TAC decrease. EE and FI stress the need to effectively address catch
misreporting.
16. For
Salmon in the Gulf of Finland (Subdivision 32), the Commission suggests a small
reduction (-1%) while the scientific advice allows for an increase. FI asks for a more
significant decrease. EE insists on the need to introduce a 15% inter-area flexibility from the
main basin to the Gulf of Finland.
17. In relation to
Sprat (subdivisions 22-32), the Commission proposes a small increase (3%) in
line with the scientific advice. DE, EE, FI, and SE support the Commission proposal. LT is in
favour of a greater increase due to the catch composition with Herring. DK asks for an inter-
species flexibility to deduct by-catches of Herring from the quota of Sprat.
B. Way forward
18. The Presidency believes that,
as part of an overall package, an agreement on the different
TACs could be found.
19. The Commission proposal for five stocks (
Herring in the Gulf of Riga, Herring in the
Central Baltic Sea, Herring in the Gulf of Bothnia, Plaice and
Sprat) could be considered
as a possible compromise among delegations in the context of an overall agreement. For
Herring in the Central Baltic Sea, the TAC as proposed by the Commission is the highest
value within the range of Fmsy legally allowed by the Baltic Plan.
20. The key political issues to be further discussed are the TAC levels for
Eastern and Western
Cod and
Herring in Western Baltic. Also concerning the stocks of
Atlantic Salmon and
Salmon in the Gulf of Finland, the possibility of a more moderate TAC remains to be
examined in conjunction with additional elements with a view to a compromise.
12693/18
AZ/nm
3
LIFE.2.A.
LIMITE
EN
III.
CONCLUSION
21. The Presidency is of the view that a final compromise can be reached with some flexibility
shown by all parties concerned. The Presidency also understands that discussions at
BALTFISH still have considerable potential.
22. COREPER is invited to examine the above-mentioned issues and express its views in
particular on the key political issues outlined under point II B with a view to preparing a
political agreement at the level of the Council.
12693/18
AZ/nm
4
LIFE.2.A.
LIMITE
EN
Document Outline