Council Regulation (EU) 2016/458
of 30 March 2016
amending Regulation (EU) 2016/72 as regards certain fishing opportunities

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Council Regulation (EU) 2016/72 fixes for 2016 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in Union waters and, for Union vessels, in certain non-Union waters.
Council Regulation (EU) 2016/72 of 22 January 2016 fixing for 2016 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, and amending Regulation (EU) 2015/104 (OJ L 22, 28.1.2016, p. 1).
(2) Regulation (EU) 2016/72 fixes the total allowable catch (TAC) for sandeel at zero. Sandeel is a short-lived species and scientific advice only became available on 22 February, while the fishery starts in April. The catch limits for this species should now be amended in line with the scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). According to ICES, real-time monitoring is scientifically suitable for establishing the abundance of sandeel in management area 1, and results could be used to re-evaluate that scientific advice and to set an in-year TAC. However, that requires sufficient data (catches and biological sampling). The catch limit for sandeel in management area 1 should thus be set at a level allowing the collection of sufficient data on stock abundance.
(3) According to the scientific advice from ICES, catches of small-eyed ray within ICES divisions VIId and VIIe-k and of blonde ray within ICES subarea IV should be reduced. As a consequence, local management measures limiting catches and providing better scientific information should be developed. ICES advised that in divisions VIIf and VIIg catches of small-eyed ray should be limited to no more than 188 tonnes. Therefore, it is appropriate to modify the corresponding fishing opportunities tables to allow for such catches and landings and to adapt the reporting provisions accordingly.
(4) According to the scientific advice from ICES, the total catches for horse mackerel and associated by-catches in Union waters of ICES divisions IIa and IVa, subarea VI, divisions VIIa-c, VIIe-k, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe, Union and international waters of Vb and international waters of subareas XII and XIV should be fixed at 108 868 tonnes. Therefore, it is appropriate to correct the initial TAC in the fishing opportunities table in order to allow for an increased level of catches corresponding to the scientific advice from ICES.
(5) Annex IB to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 provides that the fishing opportunities table for by-catches in Greenland waters should be corrected to allow for proper reporting of those by-catches.
(6) In the light of consultations with Norway, it is appropriate to allocate 25 000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway in exchange for Arctic cod and haddock, ling and some other species.
(7) The quota allocations for cod in ICES subarea I and division IIb established in Annex IB to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 should be corrected to respect the quota distribution set out in Council Decision 87/277/EEC.
Council Decision 87/277/EEC of 18 May 1987 on the allocation of the catch possibilities for cod in the Spitsbergen and Bear Island area and in Division 3M as defined in the NAFO Convention (OJ L 135, 23.5.1987, p. 29).
(8) A reporting code needs to be included in Annex IF to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 for by-catches of orange roughy in SEAFO Sub-Division B1.
(9) At its fourth annual meeting in 2016, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) fixed a TAC for jack mackerel. That measure should be implemented in the Union law.
(10) An error should be corrected in Appendix I to Annex IIa to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 regarding the maximum allowable fishing effort in kilowatt days for the Netherlands in the North Sea for the regulated gear BT1.
(11) The number of fishing authorisations to be granted to Venezuela for vessels fishing for snappers in French Guiana waters and the maximum number of vessels that may be present at any time need to be established in Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2016/72.
(12) The catch limits provided for in Regulation (EU) 2016/72 apply from 1 January 2016. The provisions of this Regulation concerning catch limits should therefore also apply from that date. Such retroactive application is without prejudice to the principles of legal certainty and protection of legitimate expectations as the fishing opportunities concerned have not yet been exhausted.
(13) Regulation (EU) 2016/72 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 In Regulation (EU) 2016/72, the Annexes IA, IB, IF, IJ and VIII are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It applies from 1 January 2016.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 30 March 2016.
For the Council
The President
A.G. Koenders
ANNEX

1. Annex IA to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 is amended as follows:
(a) the fishing opportunities table for sandeel in Union waters of IIa, IIIa and IV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	SandeelAmmodytes spp.		Zone:	Union waters of IIa, IIIa and IV Excluding waters within 6 nautical miles of the UK baselines at Shetland, Fair Isle and Foula.
Denmark		82 273 Without prejudice to the landing obligation catches of dab, whiting and mackerel may be counted against up to 2 % of the quota (OT1/*2A3A4), provided that not more than 9 % in total of this quota for sandeel is accounted for by these catches and by-catches of those species that are accounted for under Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.		
United Kingdom		1 799		
Germany		126		
Sweden		3 021		
Union		87 219		
TAC		87 219		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Special condition: within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities given below may be taken in the following sandeel management areas, as defined in Annex IID: Zone: Union waters of sandeel management areas 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (SAN/234_1) (SAN/234_2) (SAN/234_3) (SAN/234_4) (SAN/234_5) (SAN/234_6) (SAN/234_7) Denmark 12 263 4 717 59 428 5 659 0 206 0 United Kingdom 268 103 1 299 124 0 5 0 Germany 19 7 91 9 0 0 0 Sweden 450 173 2 182 208 0 8 0 Union 13 000 5 000 63 000 6 000 0 219 0 Total 13 000 5 000 63 000 6 000 0 219 0’;				

(b) the fishing opportunities table for blue whiting in Union and international waters of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId, VIIIe, XII and XIV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Blue whitingMicromesistius poutassou		Zone:	Union and international waters of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId, VIIIe, XII and XIV(WHB/1X14)
Denmark		31 704 Special condition: within a total access quantity of 21 500 tonnes for the Union, Member States may fish up to the following percentage of their quotas in Faroese waters (WHB/*05-F.): 9,2 %’;		
Germany		12 327		
Spain		26 878 Transfers of this quota may be effected to VIIIc, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1. However, such transfers shall be notified in advance to the Commission.		
France		22 063		
Ireland		24 550		
Netherlands		38 659		
Portugal		2 497		
Sweden		7 842		
United Kingdom		41 137		
Union		207 657 Special condition: from the Union quotas in Union and international waters of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId, VIIIe, XII and XIV (WHB/*NZJM1) and in VIIIc, IX and X; Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1 (WHB/*NZJM2), the following quantity may be fished in the Norwegian Economic Zone or in the fishery zone around Jan Mayen: 149 506		
Norway		75 000		
Faroe Islands		9 000		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC

(c) the fishing opportunities table for ling in Norwegian waters of IV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	LingMolva molva		Zone:	Norwegian waters of IV(LIN/04-N.)
Belgium		9		
Denmark		1 164		
Germany		33		
France		13		
Netherlands		2		
United Kingdom		104		
Union		1 325		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’;

(d) the fishing opportunities table for ‘other species’ in Norwegian waters of IV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Other species		Zone:	Norwegian waters of IV(OTH/04-N.)
Belgium		46		
Denmark		4 250		
Germany		479		
France		197		
Netherlands		340		
Sweden		Not relevant Quota allocated by Norway to Sweden of “other species” at a traditional level.		
United Kingdom		3 188		
Union		8 500 Including fisheries not specifically mentioned. Exceptions may be introduced after consultations, as appropriate.’;		
TAC		Not relevant		Precautionary TAC

(e) the fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of IIa and IV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Skates and raysRajiformes		Zone:	Union waters of IIa and IV(SRX/2AC4-C)
Belgium		221 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. 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. 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.’;		
Denmark		9		
Germany		11		
France		35		
Netherlands		188		
United Kingdom		849		
Union		1 313		
TAC		1 313		Precautionary TAC

(f) 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 raysRajiformes		Zone:	Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-c and VIIe-k(SRX/67AKXD)
Belgium		725 Catches of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/67AKXD), thornback ray (Raja clavata) (RJC/67AKXD), blonde ray (Raja brachyura) (RJH/67AKXD), spotted ray (Raja montagui) (RJM/67AKXD), sandy ray (Raja circularis) (RJI/67AKXD) and shagreen ray (Raja fullonica) (RJF/67AKXD) shall be reported separately. Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIId (SRX/*07D.), without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein. Catches of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/*07D.), thornback ray (Raja clavata) (RJC/*07D.), blonde ray (Raja brachyura) (RJH/*07D.), spotted ray (Raja montagui) (RJM/*07D.), sandy ray (Raja circularis) (RJI/*07D.) and shagreen ray (Raja fullonica) (RJF/*07D.) shall be reported separately. This special condition shall not apply to small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata) and undulate ray (Raja undulata). 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 (RJE/7FG.) provided below may be taken: Species: Small-eyed rayRaja microocellata Zone: Union waters of VIIf and VIIg(RJE/7FG.) Belgium 17 Estonia 0 France 76 Germany 0 Ireland 25 Lithuania 0 Netherlands 0 Portugal 0 Spain 21 United Kingdom 49 Union 188 TAC 188 Precautionary TAC Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIId and reported under the following code: (RJE/*07D.). This special condition is without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein. Shall not apply to undulate ray (Raja undulata). This species 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 40 kilograms live weight per fishing trip. The catches shall remain under the quotas shown in the table below. The former provisions are without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein. By-catches of undulate ray shall be reported separately under the following code: (RJU/67AKXD). Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of undulate ray given below may be taken: Species: Undulate rayRaja undulata Zone: Union waters of VIIe(RJU/67AKXD) Belgium 9 Estonia 0 France 41 Germany 0 Ireland 13 Lithuania 0 Netherlands 0 Portugal 0 Spain 11 United Kingdom 26 Union 100 TAC 100 Precautionary TAC Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIId and reported under the following code: (RJU/*07D.). This special condition is without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein.’;		
Estonia		4		
France		3 255		
Germany		10		
Ireland		1 048		
Lithuania		17		
Netherlands		3		
Portugal		18		
Spain		876		
United Kingdom		2 076		
Union		8 032		
TAC		8 032		Precautionary TAC Article 12(1) of this Regulation applies

(g) the fishing opportunities table for skates and rays in Union waters of VIId is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Skates and raysRajiformes		Zone:	Union waters of VIId(SRX/07D.)
Belgium		87 Catches of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/07D.), thornback ray (Raja clavata) (RJC/07D.), blonde ray (Raja brachyura) (RJH/07D.), spotted ray (Raja montagui) (RJM/07D.) and small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata) (RJE/07D.) shall be reported separately. Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIa, VIb, VIIa-c and VIIe-k (SRX/*67AKD). Catches of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) (RJN/*67AKD), thornback ray (Raja clavata) (RJC/*67AKD), blonde ray (Raja brachyura) (RJH/*67AKD) and spotted ray (Raja montagui) (RJM/*67AKD) shall be reported separately. This special condition shall not apply to small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata) and to undulate ray (Raja undulata). Shall not apply to undulate ray (Raja undulata). This species 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 40 kilograms live weight per fishing trip. The catches shall remain under the quotas shown in the table below. The former provisions are without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein. By-catches of undulate ray shall be reported separately under the following code: (RJU/07D.). Within the limits of the abovementioned quotas, no more than the quantities of undulate ray given below may be taken: Species: Undulate rayRaja undulata Zone: Union waters of VIId(RJU/07D.) Belgium 1 France 9 Netherlands 0 United Kingdom 2 Union 12 TAC 12 Precautionary TAC Special condition: of which up to 5 % may be fished in Union waters of VIIe and reported under the following code: (RJU/*67AKD). This special condition is without prejudice to the prohibitions set out in Articles 13 and 46 of this Regulation for the areas specified therein.’;		
France		729		
Netherlands		5		
United Kingdom		145		
Union		966		
TAC		966		Precautionary TAC

(h) the fishing opportunities table for horse mackerel and associated by-catches in Union waters of IIa, IVa, VI, VIIa-c, VIIe-k, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe; Union and international waters of Vb; international waters of XII and XIV is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Horse mackerel and associated by-catchesTrachurus spp.		Zone:	Union waters of IIa, IVa, VI, VIIa-c, VIIe-k, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe; Union and international waters of Vb; international waters of XII and XIV(JAX/2A-14)
Denmark		10 629 Special condition: up to 5 % of this quota fished in Union waters of IIa or IVa before 30 June 2016 may be accounted for as fished under the quota concerning the zone of Union waters of IVb, IVc and VIId (JAX/*4BC7D). Without prejudice to the landing obligation, catches of boarfish, whiting and mackerel may be counted against up to 5 % of the quota (OTH/*2A-14), provided that not more than 9 % in total of this quota for horse mackerel is accounted for by these catches and by-catches of those species that are accounted for under Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.		
Germany		8 294 Special condition: up to 5 % of this quota may be fished in VIId (JAX/*07D.). Under this special condition, and in accordance with footnote (3), by-catches of boarfish and whiting shall be reported separately under the following code: (OTH/*07D.).		
Spain		11 312 Special condition: up to 50 % of this quota may be fished in VIIIc (JAX/*08C2). Under this special condition, and in accordance with footnote (3), by-catches of boarfish and whiting shall be reported separately under the following code: (OTH/*08C2).’.		
France		4 269		
Ireland		27 621		
Netherlands		33 276		
Portugal		1 090		
Sweden		675		
United Kingdom		10 002		
Union		107 168		
Faroe Islands		1 700 Limited to IVa, VIa (north of 56° 30′ N only), VIIe, f, h.		
TAC		108 868		Analytical TAC

2. Annex IB to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 is amended as follows:
(a) the fishing opportunities table for cod in Norwegian waters of I and II is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	CodGadus morhua		Zone:	Norwegian waters of I and II(COD/1N2AB.)
Germany		2 405		
Greece		298		
Spain		2 682		
Ireland		298		
France		2 207		
Portugal		2 682		
United Kingdom		9 328		
Union		19 900		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’;

(b) the fishing opportunities table for cod in I and IIb is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	CodGadus morhua		Zone:	I and IIb(COD/1/2B.)
Germany		6 593 By-catches of haddock may represent up to 14 % per haul. The by-catch quantities of haddock are in addition to the quota for cod.’;		
Spain		13 192		
France		3 122		
Poland		2 728		
Portugal		2 643		
United Kingdom		4 403		
Other Member States		495 Except Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom.		
Union		33 176 The allocation of the share of the cod stock available to the Union in the zone Spitzbergen and Bear Island and the associated by-catches of haddock are entirely without prejudice to the rights and obligations deriving from the 1920 Treaty of Paris.		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply

(c) the fishing opportunities table for haddock in Norwegian waters of I and II is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus		Zone:	Norwegian waters of I and II(HAD/1N2AB.)
Germany		267		
France		160		
United Kingdom		820		
Union		1 247		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’;

(d) the fishing opportunities table for other species (by-catch) in Greenland waters is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	By-catches By-catches of grenadiers (Macrourus spp.) shall be reported in line with the following fishing opportunities tables: grenadiers in Greenland waters of V and XIV (GRV/514GRN) and grenadiers in Greenland waters of NAFO 1 (GRV/N1GRN.)’.		Zone:	Greenland waters(B-C/GRL)
Union		1 126		
TAC		Not relevant		Precautionary TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply

3. In Annex IF to Regulation (EU) 2016/72, the fishing opportunities table for orange roughy in SEAFO Sub-Division B1 is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Orange roughyHoplostethus atlanticus		Zone:	SEAFO Sub-Division B1 For the purpose of this Annex, the area open to the fishery is defined as having: its western boundary on the longitude 0° E, its northern boundary on the latitude 20° S, its southern boundary on the latitude 28° S, and the eastern boundary outer limits of the Namibian EEZ. (ORY/F47NAM)
TAC		0 Except for a by-catch allowance of 4 tonnes (ORY/*F47NA).’.		Precautionary TAC

4. In Annex IJ to Regulation (EU) 2016/72, the fishing opportunities table for jack mackerel in the SPRFMO Convention Area is replaced by the following table:

‘Species:	Jack mackerelTrachurus murphyi		Zone:	SPRFMO Convention Area(CJM/SPRFMO)
Germany		7 067,15		
Netherlands		7 660,06		
Lithuania		4 917,5		
Poland		8 455,29		
Union		28 100		
TAC		Not relevant		Analytical TAC Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’.

5. In point (b) of Appendix 1 to Annex IIA to Regulation (EU) 2016/72, the maximum allowable fishing effort in kilowatt days for the Netherlands for regulated gear BT1 is replaced by ‘999 808’.

6. Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2016/72 is replaced by the following:

‘ANNEX VIII QUANTITATIVE LIMITATIONS OF FISHING AUTHORISATIONS FOR THIRD-COUNTRY VESSELS FISHING IN UNION WATERS
Flag State	Fishery	Number of fishing authorisations	Maximum number of vessels present at any time
Norway	Herring, north of 62° 00′ N	To be established	To be established
Faroe Islands	Mackerel, VIa (north of 56° 30′ N), IIa, IVa (north of 59° N) Horse mackerel, IV, VIa (north of 56° 30′ N), VIIe, VIIf, VIIh	14	14
	Herring, north of 62° 00′ N	20	To be established
	Herring, IIIa	4	4
	Industrial fishing for Norway pout, IV, VIa (north of 56° 30′ N) (including unavoidable by-catches of blue whiting)	14	14
	Ling and tusk	20	10
	Blue whiting, II, IVa, V, VIa (north of 56° 30′ N), VIb, VII (west of 12° 00′ W)	20	20
	Blue ling	16	16
Venezuela To issue those fishing authorisations, proof must be produced that a valid contract exists between the ship owner applying for the fishing authorisation and a processing undertaking situated in the Department of French Guiana, and that it includes an obligation to land at least 75 % of all snapper catches from the vessel concerned in that department so that they may be processed in that undertaking's plant. Such a contract must be endorsed by the French authorities, which shall ensure that it is consistent both with the actual capacity of the contracting processing undertaking and with the objectives for the development of the Guianese economy. A copy of the duly endorsed contract shall be appended to the fishing authorisation application. Where such an endorsement is refused, the French authorities shall give notification of this refusal and state their reasons for it to the party concerned and to the Commission.’.	Snappers (French Guiana waters)	45	45