PURPOSE : to lay down the general rules and conditions for the application by the Community of a recovery plan for the Greenland halibut stock.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 2115/2005/EC establishing a recovery plan for Greenland halibut in the framework of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

CONTENT : Following the adoption by NAFO of a 15- year rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut, the Council unanimously adopted a Regulation establishing a rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in the framework of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

The aim of the Regulation is to implement a recovery plan for the Greenland halibut stock in NAFO Sub-area 2 (east of the meridian of 64°30' west longitude in the area of

Hudson Strait , to the south of Subarea 0, to the south and west of Subarea 1 and to the north of the parallel of 52°15' north latitude) and Divisions 3KLMNO .

The objective of the plan will be to attain a level of exploitable biomass of five years and older of 140 000 tonnes on average allowing a stable yield over the long term in the Greenland halibut fishery. In order to rebuild the stock, the NAFO plan provides for a progressive reduction of the TAC level until 2007 -18 500 tonnes in 2006 and 16 000 tonnes in 2007 - as well as control measures to ensure the effectiveness of that plan. Only vessels fishing with a special fishing permit issued by a flag Member State are allowed to fish in the areas mentioned above. Vessels can only land their fishing quantities in designated ports.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 30/12/2005.

DATE OF APPLICATION : from 01/01/2006.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution by 540 votes in favour to 12 against with 12 abstentions, making a few amendments to the Commission’s proposal. The report was drafted by Henrik Dam KRISTENSEN (PES, DK):

-“ recovery plan” is substituted for “rebuilding plan” throughout the text.

- Member States will inform the Commission of the allocation of quotas not later than 15 January each year (the Commission had specified December.)

- Parliament deleted Article 8 on the margin of tolerance in the estimation of quantities reported in the logbook.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution by 540 votes in favour to 12 against with 12 abstentions, making a few amendments to the Commission’s proposal. The report was drafted by Henrik Dam KRISTENSEN (PES, DK):

-“ recovery plan” is substituted for “rebuilding plan” throughout the text.

- Member States will inform the Commission of the allocation of quotas not later than 15 January each year (the Commission had specified December.)

- Parliament deleted Article 8 on the margin of tolerance in the estimation of quantities reported in the logbook.

PURPOSE : the establishment of a rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in the framework of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

PROPOSED ACT : Council Regulation.

CONTENT : Since 1979, the European Union has been a Contracting Party to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO). The EU is a major player in NAFO waters – holding 55% of the quota in these international waters. In June 2003, a scientific advisory committee gave warning that the Greenland halibut stock was in a critical condition - more so than had previously been thought. In order to avoid a complete collapse of these stock substantial reductions in the fishing effort would have to be made. In 2003, NAFO adopted a 15-year rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in NAFO Sub-area 2 and Divisions 3KLMNO. The objective of this rebuilding plan is to attain a level of exploitable biomass of five years and older of 140 000 tonnes on average, allowing a stable yield over the long term for this stock.

The rebuilding plan foresees a progressive reduction of the TAC:

42 000 tonnes in 2003;

20 000 tonnes in 2004;

19 000 tonnes in 2005;

18 500 tonnes in 2006 and

16 000 tonnes in 2007.

The total allowable catch for subsequent years shall be established on the basis of the Scientific Council advice. The plan also foresees additional control measures to ensure the effectiveness of the plan. Although a Council Regulation 2287/2003 has been adopted, which fixes the fishing opportunities for 2004 it is now necessary to implement the rest of the Plan by was of a Council Regulation implementing multi-annual measures for Greenland halibut for the entire duration of the NAFO rebuilding plan.

PURPOSE : the establishment of a rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in the framework of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.

PROPOSED ACT : Council Regulation.

CONTENT : Since 1979, the European Union has been a Contracting Party to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO). The EU is a major player in NAFO waters – holding 55% of the quota in these international waters. In June 2003, a scientific advisory committee gave warning that the Greenland halibut stock was in a critical condition - more so than had previously been thought. In order to avoid a complete collapse of these stock substantial reductions in the fishing effort would have to be made. In 2003, NAFO adopted a 15-year rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in NAFO Sub-area 2 and Divisions 3KLMNO. The objective of this rebuilding plan is to attain a level of exploitable biomass of five years and older of 140 000 tonnes on average, allowing a stable yield over the long term for this stock.

The rebuilding plan foresees a progressive reduction of the TAC:

42 000 tonnes in 2003;

20 000 tonnes in 2004;

19 000 tonnes in 2005;

18 500 tonnes in 2006 and

16 000 tonnes in 2007.

The total allowable catch for subsequent years shall be established on the basis of the Scientific Council advice. The plan also foresees additional control measures to ensure the effectiveness of the plan. Although a Council Regulation 2287/2003 has been adopted, which fixes the fishing opportunities for 2004 it is now necessary to implement the rest of the Plan by was of a Council Regulation implementing multi-annual measures for Greenland halibut for the entire duration of the NAFO rebuilding plan.