COMMISSION SERVICES NON PAPER
15 November 2016
This document serves as a basis for discussion at the Working Party on Internal and External Fisheries Policy. It
cannot in any circumstances be regarded as the official position of the Commission. It is intended solely for those to
whom it is addressed.
Updates to Commission Proposal COM (2016) 698, fixing for 2017 the fishing opportunities
for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union
fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters
Contents
1.
AMENDMENT TO COMMISSION PROPOSAL COM (2016) 698 ....................... 2
1.
EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Skates and rays are managed under 5 combined species TAC’s; differential stock developments
means that the TAC development neither reflects the development of all the stocks nor provides
adequate management of smaller or more vulnerable stocks.
All proposed TACs and Sub-TACs use the same allocation key as their parent skate and ray TAC.
This proposal is based on the overall trend within each TAC area and proposes sub-TACs on
vulnerable species, whilst taking into account the comparatively higher discard survivability of
skate and ray species. The sub-TACs proposed here are according to specific ICES landings advice
for more vulnerable species in specific ICES areas. Where there are some differences between ICES
advice areas and TAC units, splits have been calculated using Member State's catch data. By having
very specific sub-TACs for certain species, it is possible to manage species sustainably in line with
ICES landings advice, rather than as an unknown quantity within the generalised parent TAC.
1. AMENDMENT TO COMMISSION PROPOSAL COM (2016) 698
The Commission Proposal COM (2016) 698 is amended as follows:
1. The following recital is inserted:
Different species of skates and rays have been managed together within generalised skate and
ray TACs. According to scientific advice, this raises concerns that some of the more vulnerable
species or data-limited stocks in these generalised TACs do not have sufficient protection.
Conversely, such a system has not allowed fishing some commercially important stocks
sustainably with a higher quota level. Therefore, it is appropriate to establish catch limits on
more vulnerable species of skates and rays, based on ICES advised catch limits, whilst allowing
continued sustainable fishing of commercially important species using the generalised TACs.
2. Annex I is modified as follows:
(a)
The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of IIa and IV is
replaced by the following table:
Species:
Skates and rays
Zone:
Union waters of IIa and IV
Rajiformes
(SRX/2AC4-C)
Belgium
232
(1) (2) (3)
Precautionary TAC
Denmark
9
(1) (2) (3)
Germany
11
(1) (2) (3)
France
36
(1) (2) (3)
The Netherlands
198
(1) (2) (3)
United Kingdom
892
(1) (2) (3)
Union
1 378
(1) (2) (3)
TAC
1 378
(3)
(1)
Catches of blonde ray (
Raja brachyura) in Union waters of IV (RJH/04-C.), cuckoo ray (
Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/2AC4-C), thornback ray (
Raja clavata)
(RJC/2AC4-C) and spotted ray (
Raja montagui) (RJM/2AC4-C) shall be reported separately.
(2)
By-catch quota. These species shall not comprise more than 25 % by live weight of the catch retained on board per fishing trip. This condition applies only to vessels
over 15 metres' length overall. This provision shall not apply for catches subject to the landing obligation as set out in Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No
1380/2013.
(3)
Shall not apply to blonde ray (
Raja brachyura) in Union waters of IIa and small-eyed ray (
Raja microocellata) in Union waters of IIa and IV. When accidentally
caught, these species shall not be harmed. Specimens shall be promptly released. Fishermen shall be encouraged to develop and use techniques and equipment to
facilitate the rapid and safe release of the species.
(b)
The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of IIIa is replaced
by the following table:
Species:
Skates and rays
Zone:
Union waters of IIIa
Rajiformes
(SRX/03A-C.)
Denmark
37
(1)
Precautionary TAC
Sweden
10
(1)
Union
47
(1)
TAC
47
(1)
Catches of cuckoo ray (
Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/03A-C.), blonde ray (
Raja brachyura) (RJH/03A-C.), spotted ray (
Raja montagui) (RJM/03A-C.) and thornback ray
(
Raja clavata) (RJC/03A-C.) shall be reported separately.
(c)
The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-
c and VIIe-k is replaced by the following table:
Species:
Skates and rays
Zone:
Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-c and
VIIe-k
Rajiformes
(SRX/67AKXD)
Belgium
674
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Precautionary TAC
Estonia
4
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Article 12(1) of this Regulation applies
France
3 022
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Germany
9
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Ireland
974
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Lithuania
16
(1) (2) (3) (4)
The Netherlands
3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Portugal
17
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Spain
814
(1) (2) (3) (4)
United Kingdom
1 928
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Union
7 461
(1) (2) (3) (4)
TAC
7 461
(2) (3) (4)
(1)
Catches of thornback ray (
Raja clavata) (RJC/…), blonde ray (
Raja brachyura) (RJH/…), spotted ray (
Raja montagui) (RJM/…), sandy ray (
Raja circularis)
(RJI/67AKXD) and shagreen ray (
Raja fullonica) (RJF/67AKXD) shall be reported separately
(2)
Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of cuckoo ray, blonde ray, thornback ray and spotted ray given below may be taken in the
areas below:
Species:
Cuckoo ray
Blonde ray
Thornback ray
Spotted ray
Leucoraja
Raja brachyuran
Raja clavata
Raja
naevus
montagui
Zone:
Union waters
Union Waters
Union waters
Union
Union
Union waters
of Via, VIb and
of VIIe
of VIIf and
waters of
waters of
of
VIIa-c, e-k
VIIg
VIa and
VIIe
VIa,VIb,VIIb
VIb
and VIIj
Belgium
157
30
81
13
19
6
Estonia
1
0
0
0
0
0
France
702
136
363
60
87
28
Germany
2
0
1
0
0
0
Ireland
227
43
117
19
28
9
Lithuania
4
1
2
0
0
0
The
0
0
0
0
0
Netherlands
1
Portugal
4
1
2
0
0
0
Spain
189
36
98
16
23
7
United
86
231
37
55
17
Kingdom
449
Union
1 736
333
895
145
212
67
TAC
1 736
333
895
145
212
67
(3)
Shall not apply to small-eyed ray (
Raja microocellata), except in Union waters of VIIf and VIIg. When accidentally caught, this species shall not be harmed.
Specimens shall be promptly released. Fishermen shall be encouraged to develop and use techniques and equipment to facilitate the rapid and safe release of the
species. Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of small-eyed ray in Union waters of VIIf and VIIg provided below may be taken:
Species:
Small-eyed ray
Zone:
Union waters of VIIf and VIIg
Raja microocellata
(RJE/7FG.)
Belgium
14
Precautionary
TAC
Estonia
0
France
63
Germany
0
Ireland
20
Lithuania
0
The Netherlands
0
Portugal
0
Spain
17
United Kingdom
40
Union
154
TAC
154
(4)
Undulate ray shall not be targeted in the areas covered by this TAC. In cases where it is not subject to the landing obligation, by-catch of undulate ray in area VIIe may
only be landed whole or gutted, and provided that it does not comprise more than 50 kilograms live weight per fishing trip. Within the limits of the abovementioned
quotas, no more than the quantities of undulate ray given below may be taken:
Species:
Undulate ray
Zone:
Union waters of VIIe
Raja undulata
(RJU/67AKXD)
Belgium
11
Precautionary
TAC
Estonia
0
France
49
Germany
0
Ireland
16
Lithuania
0
The Netherlands
0
Portugal
0
Spain
13
United Kingdom
31
Union
120
TAC
120
Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIId and reported under the following code:
(RJU/*07D.).
(d)
The fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of VIId is
replaced by the following table:
Species:
Skates and rays
Zone:
Union waters of VIId
Rajiformes
(SRX/07D.)
Belgium
87
(1) (2) (3)
Precautionary TAC
France
729
(1) (2) (3)
The Netherlands
5
(1) (2) (3)
United Kingdom
145
(1) (2) (3)
Union
966
(1) (2) (3)
TAC
966
(2) (3)
(1)
Catches of cuckoo ray (
Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/07D.), thornback ray (
Raja clavata) (RJC/07D.) and spotted ray (
Raja montagui) (RJM/07D.) shall be reported
separately.
(2)
Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of blonde ray and small-eyed ray given below may be taken:
Species:
Blonde ray
Small-eyed ray
Raja brachyura
Raja microocellata
Zone:
Union waters of
Union waters of
VIId
VIId
Belgium
15
3
France
122
24
The
1
0
Netherlands
United
24
5
Kingdom
Union
162
32
TAC
162
32
(3)
Undulate ray shall not be targeted in the areas covered by this TAC. In cases where it is not subject to the landing obligation, by-catch of undulate ray in the area
covered by this TAC may only be landed whole or gutted, and provided that it does not comprise more than 50 kilograms live weight per fishing trip. Within the limits
of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of undulate ray given below may be taken:
Species:
Undulate ray
Zone:
Union waters of VIId
Raja undulata
(RJU/07D.)
Belgium
1
Precautionary
TAC
France
11
The Netherlands
0
United Kingdom
2
Union
14
TAC
14
Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIIe and reported under the following code:
(RJU/*67AKD).
(e)
The fishing opportunities table for Skates and Rays in Union waters of VIII and IX is
replaced by the following table:
Species:
Skates and rays
Zone:
Union waters of VIII and IX
Rajiformes
(SRX/89-C.)
Belgium
7
(1) (2) (3)
Precautionary TAC
France
1 362
(1) (2) (3)
Portugal
1 104
(1) (2) (3)
Spain
1 110
(1) (2) (3)
United Kingdom
8
(1) (2) (3)
Union
3 591
(1) (2) (3)
TAC
3 591
(2) (3)
(1)
Catches of cuckoo ray (
Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/…)blonde ray (
Raja brachyura) (RJH/89-C.) and thornback ray (
Raja clavata) (RJC/89-C.) shall be reported separately.
(2)
Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of cuckoo ray and spotted ray given below may be taken in the following areas:
Species:
Cuckoo ray
Spotted ray
Leucoraja naevus
Raja montagui
Zone:
Union waters of
Union waters of
VIIIa and VIIIb
VIII
Belgium
2
0
France
378
44
Portugal
307
35
Spain
309
36
United
2
0
Kingdom
Union
998
115
TAC
998
115
(3)
Undulate ray shall not be targeted in the areas covered by this TAC. In cases where it is not subject to the landing obligation, by-catch of undulate ray in subareas VIII
and IX may only be landed whole or gutted, and provided that it does not comprise more than 20 kilograms of live weight per fishing trip in subarea VIII and 40
kilograms of live weight per fishing trip in subarea IX. Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of undulate ray given below may be
taken in the following areas:
Species:
Undulate ray
Zone:
Union waters of VIII
Raja undulata
(RJU/8-
C.)
Belgium
0
Precautionary
TAC
France
9
Portugal
8
Spain
8
United Kingdom
0
Union
25
TAC
25
Species:
Undulate ray
Zone:
Union waters of IX
Raja undulata
(RJU/9-
C.)
Belgium
Precautionary
0
TAC
France
16
Portugal
12
Spain
12
United Kingdom
0
Union
40
TAC
40
______________________
