Sittings · Document

DRAFT REPORT (COM(2024)0183 – C10-0006/2024 – 2024/0098(COD)) 2025-02-25

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Željana Zovko

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area

(COM(2024)0183 – C100006/2024 – 2024/0098(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2024)0183),

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C10-0006/2024),

– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,

– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A100000/2024),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) At its annual session in 2021, the GFCM adopted Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/2 on the establishment of a fisheries restricted area in the jabuka/pomo pit in the Adriatic sea, amending Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/3 and Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/5 on the establishment of a fisheries restricted area in the gulf of lion to protect spawning aggregations and deep-sea sensitive habitats, repealing Recommendation GFCM/33/2009/1.	(7) At its annual session in 2021, the GFCM adopted Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/2 on the establishment of a fisheries restricted area in the Jabuka/Pomo Pit in the Adriatic sea, amending Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/3.

Or. en

Justification

Deletion to avoid confusion for readers as GFCM/44/2021/5 was repealed by GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) At its annual session in 2021, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/13 on the mitigation of fisheries impacts for the conservation of seabirds in the Mediterranean Sea, Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/14 on the mitigation of fisheries impacts for the conservation of sea turtles, Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/15 on the mitigation of fisheries impacts for the conservation of cetaceans and Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/16 on additional mitigation measures for the conservation of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea.	(9) At its annual session in 2021, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/14 on the mitigation of fisheries impacts for the conservation of sea turtles, Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/15 on the mitigation of fisheries impacts for the conservation of cetaceans and Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/16 on additional mitigation measures for the conservation of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea.

Or. en

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23a) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/1 on the establishment of a fisheries restricted area in the Gulf of Lion (geographical subarea 7) to protect spawning aggregations and deep-sea sensitive habitats, repealing Recommendation

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/1 repealed Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/5

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23b) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/2 on the definition of a minimum conservation reference size for giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Strait of Sicily (geographical subareas 12 to 16).

Or. en

Justification

Justification: Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/2

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23c) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/3 on the definition of a minimum conservation reference size for giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Ionian Sea (geographical subareas 19 to 21).

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/3

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 d (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23d) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/4 on the definition of a minimum conservation reference size for giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp in the Levant Sea (geographical subareas 24 to 27).

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/4

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 e (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23e) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/5 on the extension of the transitional fishing regime and the establishment of catch limits in 2024 for small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18), stemming from Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/5

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 f (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23f) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/6 on the implementation of a fishing effort regime in 2024 for key demersal stocks in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18), stemming from Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/5.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/6

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 g (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23g) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/7 on the extension of the multiannual management plan for turbot fisheries in the Black Sea (geographical subarea 29), amending Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/4.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/7 amended Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/4

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 h (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23h) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/11 on the mitigation of bottlenose dolphin depredation in small pelagic fisheries in the southern Alboran Sea (geographical subarea 3).

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/11

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 i (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23i) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/12 on the establishment of a regional fishing capacity management plan.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/12

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 j (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23j) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14 establishing a multiannual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea, repealing Recommendations GFCM/30/2006/2, GFCM/43/2019/1 and GFCM/44/2021/11.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14 repealed Recommendations GFCM/30/2006/2, GFCM/43/2019/1 and GFCM/44/2021/11.

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 k (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23k) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/15 on the revision of the minimum conservation reference size for blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea (geographical subareas 1 to 3), amending Recommendation GFCM/45/2022/3.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/15 amended Recommendation GFCM/45/2022/3

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 l (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23l) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/16 on a multiannual management plan for European eel in the Mediterranean Sea, repealing Recommendations GFCM/42/2018/1 and GFCM/45/2022/1.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/16 on a long-term management plan for European eel in the Mediterranean Sea repealed Recommendations GFCM/45/2022/1 and GFCM/42/2018/1.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 m (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23m) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/17 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme for common dolphinfish fisheries outside waters under national jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/17

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 n (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23n) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/18 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme outside waters under national jurisdiction in the Adriatic Sea (geographical subareas 17 and 18).

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/18

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 o (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23o) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/19 on the establishment of a catch documentation scheme for red coral in the Mediterranean Sea.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/19

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 p (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23p) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/20 on the establishment of a catch documentation scheme for turbot in the Black Sea (geographical subarea 29).

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/20

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 q (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23q) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/21 on vessel sightings, amending Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/21.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/21 amended GFCM/44/2021/21

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 r (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23r) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/22 on a GFCM schedule addressing compliance issues and corresponding actions, repealing Resolutions GFCM/44/2021/13 and GFCM/43/2019/5.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/22

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 s (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23s) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/23 clarifying the application of compliance recommendations and establishing a compliance and capacity inventory to support the work of the Compliance Committee.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/23

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 23 t (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(23t) At its annual session in 2023, the GFCM also adopted Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/24 on the establishment of a list of vessels presumed to have carried out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/19.

Or. en

Justification

Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/24 amended Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/19

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 3 – point 11

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) “Catch certificate” means an official document accompanying a consignment and validated by the competent authority, allowing to pass accurate and verifiable information concerning fish throughout the supply chain;	(11) “Catch certificate” means an official document accompanying a consignment and validated by the competent authority, allowing to pass accurate and verifiable information concerning fishery products throughout the supply chain;

Or. en

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 3 – point 12

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) “Catch documentation scheme” or “CDS” means a system established in accordance with relevant international obligations, with the primary purpose of helping to determine, throughout the supply chain whether the fish originates from catches that are consistent with applicable national, regional and international conservation and management measures.	(12) “Catch documentation scheme” or “CDS” means a system established in accordance with relevant international obligations, with the primary purpose of helping to determine, throughout the supply chain whether the fishery product originates from catches that are consistent with applicable national, regional and international conservation and management measures.

Or. en

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 4 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
This Chapter applies to all fishing activities catching European eel (Anguilla anguilla), namely targeted, incidental and recreational fisheries, in all the waters of the Mediterranean Sea as provided for in Annex I, including freshwaters and transitional and brackish waters, such as lagoons and estuaries.	This Chapter applies to all fishing activities catching European eel (Anguilla anguilla), namely targeted, incidental and recreational fisheries, in all the waters of the Mediterranean Sea as provided for in Annex I, including transitional and brackish waters, such as lagoons and estuaries.

Or. en

Justification

Freshwaters are not considered part of any marine area, as they are not sea waters. Consequently, the stock living in fresh waters is not considered a "marine biological resource." The GFCM has exceeded its regulatory authority by adopting a recommendation that extends beyond the GFCM's geographical scope. In accordance with international law, the Union is not compelled to transpose a GFCM recommendation that pertains to freshwater fisheries.

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 12

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(2a) in Article 12 the following paragraphs are added:
	“4. Member States shall set up a traceability system for landings, sales and exports allowing the catches to be traced from the authorised landing point to the final destination, whether the specimens are sold alive, dead or transformed.
	5. Member States shall maintain and keep an up-to-date list of auction halls, bodies or persons authorised to undertake the first marketing of European eel.”

Or. en

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/16

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 12a

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 12a	Article 12a
Recreational fisheries	Data collection
Member States shall ensure that recreational fishing of all stages of European eel (glass, yellow, silver) is prohibited in all habitats.” ;	1. Where IUU fishing is known to occur, data available, including estimates, shall also be transmitted to the GFCM Secretariat.
	2. Member States shall communicate data pertaining to fattening activities to the GFCM Secretariat, in accordance with the deadlines set in Recommendation GFCM/41/2017/1 on the reporting of aquaculture data and information repealing Recommendation GFCM/35/2011/6.
	3. Member States may also transmit to the GFCM Secretariat any additional information on a voluntary basis, if possible, no later than the forty-seventh session of the GFCM.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/1 was repealed by GFCM/46/2023/16

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4

Regulation (EU) 2023/2124

Article 14a

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 14a	Article 14a
Fleet management measures	Fleet management measures
Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity or fishing effort of the fleets, operating with demersal trawls actively fishing for key stocks in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the number of vessels or fishing effort for otter trawlers fishing deep water shrimps during the years 2014–2017 or over another period of three consecutive years such as 2015-2018 provided that the increase cannot be more than 50% in respect of the 2014-2017 reference period.”;	Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity or fishing effort of the fleets, operating with demersal trawls actively fishing for key stocks in terms of gross tonnage (GT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the number of vessels or fishing effort for otter trawlers fishing deep water shrimps during the years 2014–2017 or over another period of three consecutive years such as 2015-2018 provided that for such period the levels exerted do not go beyond 50% with respect to the 2014-2017 reference period.”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/12

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 17 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Bottom trawlers targeting deep-water red shrimp spawning aggregations shall stop fishing for 30 consecutive days between the months of March and December.	1. Bottom trawlers targeting deep-water giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp (“deep-water red shrimp”) spawning aggregations shall stop fishing for 30 consecutive days between the months of March and December.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/7

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 20 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Until 8 January 2026, Member States may allow vessels of less than 15 metres to derogate from the first paragraph if they operate exclusively within the territorial seas of the Member State or/and never spend more than 24 hours at sea from the time of departure to the return to port.	Until 8 January 2026, Member States may allow vessels of less than 15 metres to derogate from the first paragraph if they operate exclusively within the waters on the landward side of the outer limit of the territorial seas of the Member State or/and never spend more than 24 hours at sea from the time of departure to the return to port.

Or. en

Justification

This provision allows states to exempt vessels that fish exclusively within the territorial sea from VMS control requirements. The rationale behind this is that vessels operating close to the shore on short trips can be exempted from certain control requirements. In some Member States fishing activities also take place in internal waters closer to the shore, depending on where the baselines of the territorial sea are drawn. In such situations it should be avoided that only vessels operating within the territorial sea are exempt from VMS requirements, while vessels closes to the shoreline are not. The newly proposed wording encompasses both internal waters and the territorial sea.

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 20 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Member States shall report immediately to the Commission the derogations granted in accordance with Article 9(5) of Regulation 1224/2009 as well as the other control means deployed to monitor those vessels. The Commission shall transmit that information to the GFCM Secretariat without delay.”;	Member States shall report immediately to the Commission the derogations as well as the other control means deployed to monitor those vessels. The Commission shall transmit that information to the GFCM Secretariat without delay.”;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11

Regulation (EU) 2023/2124

Article 23a

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 23a	Article 23a
Fleet management measures	Fleet management measures
Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the fleet capacity for otter trawlers fishing deep water shrimps in year 2019.	Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity of the fleets operating with demersal trawls actively fishing for key stocks does not exceed, in terms of gross tonnage (GT) engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the fleet capacity for otter trawlers fishing deep water shrimps in year 2019.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/7

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16

Regulation (EU) 2023/2124

Article 29 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Until 8 January 2026, Member States may grant a derogation for vessels of less than 15m may derogate from the rule in the first paragraph if they operate exclusively within the territorial seas of that Member State or never spend more than 24 hours at sea from the time of departure to the return to port. Member States shall report immediately to the Commission the derogations granted in accordance with Article 9(5) of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 as well as the other control means deployed to monitor those vessels. The Commission shall transmit that information to the GFCM Secretariat without delay.”;	Until 8 January 2026, Member States may grant a derogation for vessels of less than 15m from the rule in the first paragraph if they operate exclusively within the waters on the landward side of the outer limit of the territorial seas of that Member State or never spend more than 24 hours at sea from the time of departure to the return to port. Member States shall report immediately to the Commission the derogations granted as well as the other control means deployed to monitor those vessels. The Commission shall transmit that information to the GFCM Secretariat without delay.”;

Or. en

Justification

This provision allows states to exempt vessels that fish exclusively within the territorial sea from VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) control requirements. The rationale behind this is that vessels operating close to the shore on short trips can be exempted from certain control requirements. In some Member States fishing activities also take place in internal waters closer to the shore, depending on where the baselines of the territorial sea are drawn. In such situations it should be avoided that only vessels operating within the territorial sea are exempt from VMS requirements, while vessels closes to the shoreline are not. The newly proposed wording encompasses both internal waters and the territorial sea.

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 30a – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure that the exploitation levels of giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp, reach and maintain the maximum sustainable yield.	1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure that the exploitation levels of giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp stocks, reach and maintain the maximum sustainable yield.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/6 and GFCM/46/2023/3

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 37a – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure that the exploitation levels of giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp, reach and maintain the maximum sustainable yield.	1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure that the exploitation levels of giant red shrimp and blue and red shrimp stocks, reach and maintain the maximum sustainable yield.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/5

Amendment 36

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 23

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 44 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. When a trigger catch level of red coral as referred to in paragraph 4 has been reached, Member States shall close the area concerned to any red coral fishery. The Member State shall immediately inform the Commission. The Commission shall inform as soon as possible the GFCM Secretariat.”;	3. When a trigger catch level of red coral as referred to in paragraph 4 has been reached, Member States shall close the area concerned to any red coral fishery on precautionary grounds. The Member State shall immediately inform the Commission. The Commission shall inform as soon as possible the GFCM Secretariat.”;

Or. en

Justification

Article 1, paragraph 23 of the Proposal, which amends Article 44, paragraph 3 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2124, needs to be aligned with paragraph 22 of GFCM Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/4 for consistent transposition of the provision by adding the currently missing wording: "on precautionary grounds"

Amendment 37

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 55

Present text	Amendment
	(24a) Article 55 is replaced by the following:
1. For a transitional period of three years (2020–2022), Member States may participate in the pilot phase of the Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS), for the purpose of identifying where the origin of red coral is harvested in the GFCM area of application, and implement the following traceability measures:	“1. Member States shall fully implement the red coral Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) by [the date of entry into force] along the entire supply chain in order to ensure the traceability of red coral (Corallium rubrum) harvested in the Mediterranean Sea and contribute to the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing activities.
(a) a validated CDS certificate as referred to in Annex X and issued by the competent authorities of the flag State shall accompany all landings, imports, export and re-exports of red coral harvested;
(b) each certificate shall have a unique document identification number. Such number shall be specific to the flag State and be assigned to each fisher or authorised vessel. Such certificates shall not be transferable to another fisher or authorised vessel;
(c) Member States shall validate the CDS harvest certificates for red coral only when all the information contained in the CDS has been established to be accurate as a result of the verification of the supporting documents and corresponding consignment.
2. Member States participating in the pilot phase shall report to the Commission, and the Commission shall report to the GFCM Secretariat accordingly, on the implementation of the pilot phase in the context of a permanent CDS for red coral.	2. The paper-based red coral Catch Documentation Scheme established in paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to other national traceability systems in force ensuring the same level of control over the traceability of red coral products by Member States.
	3. The paper-based red coral Catch Documentation Scheme applies to first landings, exports and re-exports. Domestic trade is not included in the validation chain.
	4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, a transitional period of one year is established, during which time red coral stored prior to [the date of entery into force] may be exported or re-exported without a validated catch section in the harvest certificate.
	5. In order to ensure a link between validated Catch Documentation Scheme documents and red coral consignments to which they relate, a labelling system could be established by Member States.
	6. Each consignment of red coral, imported, exported or re-exported from its origin, shall be accompanied by a validated certificate as referred to in the Annex XX or an equivalent document, such as the harvest certificate in force in the exporting Member States.
	7. Each harvest certificate shall have a unique document identification number. This number shall be specific to the flag Member States and be assigned to each fisher or harvesting vessel. The certificates shall not be transferable to another fisher or harvesting vessel.
	8. Member States shall validate harvest certificates only when all the information contained in the red coral Catch Documentation Scheme have been established to be accurate as a result of the verification of the supporting documents and corresponding consignment.
	9. Member States shall report to the GFCM Secretariat on their Catch Documentation Scheme, as well as possible tagging and identification requirements and traceability and tracking requirements for red coral harvesting, which shall be in line with the provisions of this article in order to effectively ensure that the traceability objective is met.
	10. The re-export of products imported under a harvest certificate in accordance with this Article shall be authorised through the validation, by the competent authorities of the Member States from which re-export is to take place, of the “re-export” section of the harvest certificate referred to in the Annex XX or a copy thereof in which the fishery products to be re-exported are included as a part of the products imported.
	11. When a Member State identifies non-compliance with the obligations contained in this Article, it shall inform the flag state and the Commission who will transmit it to the GFCM Secretariat.
	12. Member States shall notify the GFCM Secretariat of their competent authorities responsible for validating, checking and verifying the harvest certificates, as well as Catch Documentation Scheme contact points, validation seal and other information relevant to the implementation of the Catch Documentation Scheme.
	13. Member States shall maintain the validated paper-based red coral harvest certificates for a period of ten years.
	14. Member States shall report annually on the implementation of the paper-based red coral Catch Documentation Scheme to the GFCM Secretariat in view of notifying the Compliance Committee (CoC), providing detailed information and statistical data on, inter alia, annual quantities validated, annual quantities traded, number of harvest certificates validated, and any relevant elements considered to provide information on the state of play. The reports shall be submitted to the GFCM Secretariat no later than 30 days before the session of the Compliance Committee (CoC).”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/19

Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 29

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 60a

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 60a	Article 60a
Fleet management measures	Fleet management measures
Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity of the fleet under this section in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the fleet capacity for demersal fisheries in year 2021”;	Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity of the fleets operating with bottom trawls and actively fishing for the key stocks in terms of gross tonnage (GT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed, over the duration of the multiannual management plan the fleet capacity for demersal fisheries in year 2021”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/4

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 33 – point -a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 70 – paragraph 1

Present text	Amendment
	(-a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
1. Member States shall establish a list of vessels flying their flag and authorised to fish for the species listed in Article 66.	“1. Member States shall establish a list of vessels flying their flag and authorised to fish for the species listed in Article 66 using means of otter-trawling, beam-trawling, bottom pair trawling and otter twin trawls”;

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

Article 70, paragraph 1 of Regulation 2023/2124 needs to be aligned with paragraph 30 of GFCM Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/5 for clarification on which fleet the obligation to compile a list of vessels applies, as the current wording is imprecise and allows for interpretation that the obligation applies to the entire fleet. Therefore, the wording "otter-trawling, beam-trawling, bottom pair trawling, and otter twin trawls" needs to be added to the end of the sentence to the provision of Article 70, paragraph 1.

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 35

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 73

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 73	Article 73
Scope	Scope
This section applies to all fishing activities targeting key small pelagic stocks (anchovy and sardine) in GSAs 17 and 18 as provided for in Annex I.”;	This section applies to all fishing activities targeting key small pelagic stocks (anchovy and sardine) in GSAs 17 and 18 as provided for in Annex I by means of purse seiners and pelagic trawlers".

Or. en

Justification

Article 1, paragraph 35 of the Proposal, which replaces Article 73 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2124, needs to be aligned with paragraph 1 of GFCM Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20 for consistent transposition by adding the currently missing wording at the end of the sentence, clarifying the specific fleet to which the provision applies and preventing it from being applied to other forms of fishing: "by means of purse seiners and pelagic trawlers."

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 35 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(35a) In article 74, paragraph 5 is deleted.

Or. en

Justification

In the case of managing small pelagic fish in the Adriatic Sea, a new GFCM Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20 on a multi-annual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of small pelagic fish stocks in the Adriatic Sea (GSA areas 17 and 18) was adopted at the GFCM annual assembly in November 2021. With the adoption of the new multi-annual management plan, the multi-annual management plan adopted in 2013 by GFCM Recommendation GFCM/37/2013/1 becomes obsolete. Article 74, paragraph 5 of the current Regulation (EU) 2023/2124 includes a measure for managing fishing effort by limiting the number of fishing days (20 days per month and 180 days per year), which was derived from the 2013 multi-annual management plan (GFCM/37/2013/1). Retaining the provision of Article 74, paragraph 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2124 would exceed the scope of GFCM Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20 and impose additional restrictions on Member States, which will not apply to other GFCM contracting parties (e.g. Albania and Montenegro). Therefore, Article 74, paragraph 5 of Regulation 2023/2124 must be deleted.

Amendment 42

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74a – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure yearly that all scientific data and commercial data collected in a specific year is provided by 15 March of the following year to the Commission.	1. Member States shall ensure yearly that all scientific data and commercial data collected in a specific year is provided by 1 April of the following year to the GFCM Secretariat. The Member States shall notify the Commission thereof.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/20

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74a – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. The Commission shall send the data referred to in paragraph 1 to the GFCM Secretariat by 1 April of each year.	deleted

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/20

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74c – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall designate landing points where landings by vessels actively fishing for anchovy and sardine shall take place. For each designated point, Member States shall specify permitted landing and transhipping times and places.	1. Member States shall designate landing points where landings by vessels actively fishing for key small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea shall take place. For each designated point, Member States shall specify permitted landing and transhipping times and places.

Or. en

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74c – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. It shall be prohibited to land or tranship from fishing vessels any quantity of catches of anchovy and sardine fished using purse-seines and pelagic-trawls in the Adriatic Sea at any place other than the landing points designated by Member States.	2. It shall be prohibited to land or tranship from fishing vessels any quantity of catches of key small pelagic species fished by purse-seines or pelagic-trawls in the Adriatic Sea at any place other than the landing points designated by Member States.

Or. en

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74c – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Member States shall communicate to the Commission by 15 November each year any change to the list of designated landing points where landings of anchovy and sardine may take place. The Commission shall transmit this information by 30 November each year.	3. Member States shall transmit to the Commission by 15 November each year any change to the list of designated landing points in which landings of key small pelagic species in the Adriatic Sea may take place. The Commission shall transmit this information by 30 November each year.

Or. en

Justification

To better align the text with Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74d – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure that the exploitation levels of the stocks of anchovy and sardine reach and maintain the maximum sustainable yield.	1. Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans under the scope of this section to ensure adequate conservation of small pelagic stocks.

Or. en

Justification

To better align the text with Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/20

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74d – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States shall promptly communicate management measures or national management plans adopted and any modifications made to these measures or plans to the Commission by 15 April of each year. The Commission shall transmit those measures and plans to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April of each year.	2. Member States shall promptly notify of any management measures or national management plans adopted at national level to the Commission by 15 April of each year. The Commission shall transmit those measures and plans to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April of each year.

Or. en

Amendment 49

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 74f – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. During the transitional period, the Member States shall apply spatial closures to vessels over 12 metres LOA for no less than 9 months. Such closures shall cover 30 percent of the territorial or inner waters identified as important for the protection of early-age classes of fish.	3. During the transitional period, the Member States shall apply spatial closures to vessels over 12 metres LOA for no less than 9 months. Such closures shall cover 30 percent of the territorial or internal waters identified as important for the protection of early-age classes of fish.

Or. en

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 75a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(36a) The following article is inserted:
	“Article 75a
	International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme
	1. Member States may carry out inspection and surveillance activities under the scope of this section in the framework of an International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme (‘the Scheme’) covering the waters outside national jurisdiction in GFCM geographical subareas 17 and 18 (Adriatic Sea), as defined in Annex I (‘the inspection and surveillance area’).
	2. Member States may assign inspectors and inspection means and carry out inspections under the Scheme. The Commission or a body designated by it may also assign Union inspectors to the Scheme.
	3. The Commission or a body designated by it shall coordinate the surveillance and inspection activities for the Union and may draw up, in coordination with the Member States concerned, a joint deployment plan to enable the Union to partake in the Scheme. Member States shall adopt the necessary measures to facilitate the implementation of those plans, particularly with regard to the human and material resources required and the periods and geographical areas in which those resources are to be deployed.
	4. Each Member State shall, by 15 November of each year, notify to the Commission, or to a body designated by it, the list of the names of inspectors authorised to perform the inspection and surveillance in the area referred to in paragraph 1, as well as the names of the vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance which they intend to assign to the Scheme for the following year. The Commission or body designated by it shall send this information to the GFCM Secretariat by 1 December of each year or as soon as possible before the commencement of inspection activities.
	5. Inspectors assigned to the Scheme shall carry a GFCM inspector card issued by the competent authorities, which shall be in the form set out in Annex IV.
	6. Vessels carrying out boarding and inspection duties in accordance with the Scheme shall fly a special flag or pennant, as described in Annex V.
	7. Each Member State shall ensure that every inspection platform entitled to fly its flag operating in the area referred to in paragraph 1 maintains secure contact, daily where possible, with every other inspection platform operating in that GFCM area, in order to exchange information necessary to coordinate the activities.
	8. Each Member State with an inspection or surveillance presence in the area referred to in paragraph 1 shall provide to each inspection platform, upon its entry into the area, a list of sightings established in accordance with Annex VII, of boardings and inspections it has conducted in the previous 10-day period, including dates, coordinates and any other relevant information.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/18

Amendment 51

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36 b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article -75aa (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(36b) The following article is inserted between Article 75 and Article 76:
	“Article -75aa
	Conduct of inspections
	1. Inspectors assigned to the Scheme shall:
	(a) prior to boarding, notify the fishing vessel of the name of the inspection vessel;
	(b) display, on the inspection vessel and boarding vessel, the pennant described in Annex V;
	(c) limit each inspection team to a maximum of three inspectors.
	2. Upon boarding the vessel, inspectors shall produce the identity card described in Annex IV to the master of the fishing vessel. Inspections shall be conducted in one of the official languages of the GFCM and, where possible, in the language spoken by the master of the fishing vessel.
	3. Inspectors shall draw up a report of the inspection in the format set out in Annex VI.
	4. Inspectors shall sign the report in the presence of the master of the vessel who shall be entitled to add to the report any observations which he or she may think suitable and who must also sign.
	5. Copies of the report shall be given to the master of the vessel and to the authorities of the inspection party, which shall transmit copies to the authorities of the flag State of the inspected vessel and to the Commission and/or a body designated by it. The Commission shall forward the copy to the GFCM Secretariat.
	6. The size of the inspection party and length of the inspection shall be determined by the commanding officer of the inspection vessel taking into account all relevant circumstances.”

Or. en

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/18

Amendment 52

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 36 c (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article -75ab (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(36c) The following article is inserted between Article 75 and Article 76:
	“Article -75ab
	Infringements
	1. For the purposes of this Article, the following activities shall be considered as infringements:
	(a) the activities referred to in Article 3(1), points (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008;
	(b) interference with satellite monitoring system; and
	(c) operating without a VMS.
	2. In the case of any boarding and inspection of a fishing vessel during which the inspectors detect an infringement, the authorities of the flag Member State of the inspection vessel shall immediately inform the Commission, or a body designated by it, which shall notify the flag State of the inspected fishing vessel and the GFCM Secretariat directly. They shall also inform any inspection ship of the flag State of the fishing vessel known to be in the vicinity.
	3. The flag Member State of the fishing vessel shall ensure that, following an inspection in which an infringement has been detected, the fishing vessel concerned ceases all fishing activities. The flag Member State shall require the fishing vessel to proceed within 72 hours to a port designated by it, where an investigation shall be initiated.
	4. In the event that an infringement has been detected during an inspection, the actions and follow-up taken by the flag Member State shall be notified to the Commission or a body designated by it. The Commission or a body designated by it shall forward the action and follow-up taken to the GFCM Secretariat.
	5. Member States’ authorities shall act on inspection reports, as referred to in Article 30(3), sighting information sheet as provided in Annex VII and statements resulting from documentary inspections by inspectors on a similar basis as they act on reports and statements of national inspectors.”

Or. en

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/18

Amendment 53

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 39

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 78 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the fleet capacity for the fisheries averaged over years 2018-2021.	1. Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity in terms of gross tonnage (GT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, does not exceed the fleet capacity for the fisheries averaged over years 2018-2021.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/3

Amendment 54

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 39

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 78 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States shall adapt to the fishing opportunities the overall fleet capacity of the fleets fishing blackspot seabream operating with handlines, set and mixed longliners in terms of gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered tonnage (GRT), engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers.	2. Member States shall adapt to the fishing opportunities the overall fleet capacity of the fleets fishing blackspot seabream operating with handlines, set and mixed longliners in terms of gross tonnage (GT) , engine power (kW) and number of vessels, as recorded both in national and GFCM registers.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/45/2022/3

Amendment 55

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 40

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 79 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. The information stipulated in paragraph 4 may be submitted by the fishers or their representatives up to one hour before the estimated time of arrival, where the fishing grounds are less than four hours away from the port of arrival.	4. The information stipulated in paragraph 3 may be submitted by the fishers or their representatives up to one hour before the estimated time of arrival, where the fishing grounds are less than four hours away from the port of arrival.

Or. en

Amendment 56

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 40

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 79 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
5. Without prejudice to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, fishers or masters of authorised fishing vessels actively fishing within the scope of this section shall report all daily catches, irrespective of the live weight of the catch and shall record or make estimations of the catches of that species.	deleted

Or. en

Justification

Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 applies for all EU fishers or masters of authorised fishing vessels, so additional paragraph is not needed.

Amendment 57

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 40

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 79 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
6. It shall be prohibited to land or tranship from fishing vessels any quantity of blackspot seabream fished in the Alboran Sea at any place other than points ports designated by the Member States.	6. It shall be prohibited to land or tranship from fishing vessels any quantity of blackspot seabream fished in the Alboran Sea at any place other than points designated by the Member States.

Or. en

Amendment 58

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 40

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 79 – paragraph 10

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
10. Notwithstanding Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, by 1 January 2024 all the authorized vessels under this chapter above 10 meters length overall (LOA) shall be equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS) or any other geolocation system allowing control authorities to track their activity at all times during the fishing trips. ”;	10. Notwithstanding Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, by [the date of entry into force] all the authorized vessels under this chapter above 10 meters length overall (LOA) shall be equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS) or any other geolocation system allowing control authorities to track their activity at all times during the fishing trips. ”;

Or. en

Amendment 59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 81

Present text	Amendment
	(42a) Article 81 is replaced by the following:
Article 81	“Article 81
Scope	Scope
This Chapter applies to all commercial fishing activities targeting common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) using fish aggregating devices (FADs) throughout the Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 1 to 27).	This Chapter applies to pelagic fishing activities in the Mediterranean (geographical subareas 1 to 27) targeting common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) by means of FADs and recreational fishing.”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42 b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 83

Present text	Amendment
	(42b) Article 83 is replaced by the following:
Member States considering starting to target common dolphinfish using FADs shall submit to the Commission their national measures once adopted and the Commission shall transmit those measures to the GFCM Secretariat without delay.	“Over the transitional period, Member States shall ensure that a catch limit is established on the basis of the reported landings to the GFCM as follows: either i) on the basis of the average of any two years’ landings during the period 2018–2022 or ii) on the basis of landings in 2022.”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42 c (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 84 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(42c) In Article 84, the following paragraph is inserted:
	“2a. Member States shall submit their national data (as specified in Annex XXV) to the GFCM Secretariat no later than 31 July of each calendar year.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42 d (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 85

Present text	Amendment
	(42d) Article 85 is replaced by the following:
Member States targeting common dolphinfish using FADs and lacking national management measures shall adopt national management measures including at least the set of measures containing the elements listed in Annex IX.	“1. In order to ensure adequate conservation of the common dolphinfish, Member States shall adopt fisheries management measures or national management plans in the GSAs 1-27.
	2. Member States shall notify the GFCM Secretariat, of the management measures or management plans adopted at the national level. Where appropriate, should these measures be modified, the Member States shall communicate such modifications by 30 April of the following year.”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 43 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 86 – paragraph -1 (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(43a) In Article 86, the following paragraph is inserted:
	“-1. Member States shall ensure that the overall fleet capacity of the fleets operating with FADs and actively fishing for the key stock does not exceed, in terms of gross tonnage (GT) engine power (kW) and number of vessels as recorded both in national and GFCM registers, over the duration of this recommendation’s mandate, the fleet capacity for common dolphinfish in FAD fisheries in the year 2019.”

Or. en

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 44 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 88 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(44a) in Article 88, the following paragraph is inserted:
	“3a. From the first day of the open FAD season in 2027, FADs should be exclusively constructed with biodegradable materials to ensure that lost FADs will not further contribute to marine plastic pollution.”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 88 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
6. Without prejudice to stricter provisions laid down in Articles 14(7) and Article 48 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009, in the event of loss or impossibility to haul in a FAD, fishers or masters of fishing vessels shall record the last known position and its date. Fishing vessels exploiting common dolphinfish shall collect and report the last registered position of the lost FAD as well as the date of its last registered position, its identification number and any information allowing the identification of the FAD owner.”;	6. In the event of loss or impossibility to haul in a FAD, fishers or masters of fishing vessels shall record the last known position and its date. Fishing vessels exploiting common dolphinfish shall collect and report the last registered position of the lost FAD as well as the date of its last registered position, its identification number and any information allowing the identification of the FAD owner.”;

Or. en

Justification

FADs are not considered as a fishing gear in Articles 14(7) and Article 48 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009. Articles 14(7) and Article 48 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 are only on lost gear.

Amendment 66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 89

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45a) in Article 89, the following paragraphs are added:
	“3. Member States shall ensure that all fishing vessels flying their flag and exploiting common dolphinfish record their fishing activities with FADs.
	4. In the event of FAD loss, Member States shall ensure that the vessels flying their flag collect and report the last registered position of the lost FAD as well as the date of its last registered position, its identification number and any information allowing the identification of the FAD owner.
	5. By 2032 at the latest, the GFCM shall adopt implementing rules for the identification and marking of FADs.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45 b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 89 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45b) the following article is inserted in Title II, Chapter VII:
	“Article 89a
	Specific measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
	1. Each Member States shall ensure that adequate mechanisms are in place for the registration of each fishing vessel in a national fleet register for the recording of the vessel’s catch and fishing effort in the logbook and for the monitoring of the vessel’s fishing activities and landings by means of surveys and sampling of catches and fishing effort, carried out in accordance with the rules laid out by each Member States.
	2. Each Member States shall designate landing points at which landings by vessels actively fishing for the key stock in the Mediterranean Sea shall take place.
	3. For each designated port, the concerned Member States shall specify permitted landing and transshipping times and places.
	4. Member States shall carry out inspections on the basis of a risk analysis. It shall be prohibited to land or transship from fishing vessels any quantity of common dolphinfish fished in the Mediterranean Sea at any place other than ports designated by Member States.
	5. Member States shall transmit to the GFCM Secretariat, no later than and subsequently on 30 November of each year, any changes to the list of the designated landing points at which landings of key stock in the Mediterranean Sea may take place.
	6. Member States parties shall engage to cooperate in the fight against IUU fishing activities, in particular through sharing information and gathering intelligence to fight against illegal activities.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/14

Amendment 68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45 c (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 89 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45c) the following article is inserted in Title II, Chapter VII:
	“Article 89b
	International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme
	1. Member States may carry out inspection and surveillance activities under the scope of this section in the framework of an International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme (‘the Scheme’) covering the waters outside national jurisdiction in GFCM geographical subareas 1 - 27 (Mediterranean Sea), as defined in Annex I (‘the inspection and surveillance area’).
	2. Member States may assign inspectors and inspection means and carry out inspections under the Scheme. The Commission or a body designated by it may also assign Union inspectors to the Scheme.
	3. The Commission or a body designated by it shall coordinate the surveillance and inspection activities for the Union and may draw up, in coordination with the Member States concerned, a joint deployment plan to enable the Union to partake in the Scheme. Member States shall adopt the necessary measures to facilitate the implementation of those plans, particularly with regard to the human and material resources required and the periods and geographical areas in which those resources are to be deployed.
	4. Each Member State shall, by 15 November of each year, notify to the Commission, or to a body designated by it, the list of the names of inspectors authorised to perform the inspection and surveillance in the area referred to in paragraph 1, as well as the names of the vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance which they intend to assign to the Scheme for the following year. The Commission or body designated by it shall send this information to the GFCM Secretariat by 1 December of each year or as soon as possible before the commencement of inspection activities.
	5. Inspectors assigned to the Scheme shall carry a GFCM inspector card issued by the competent authorities, which shall be in the form set out in Annex IV.
	6. Vessels carrying out boarding and inspection duties in accordance with the Scheme shall fly a special flag or pennant, as described in Annex V.
	7. Each Member State shall ensure that every inspection platform entitled to fly its flag operating in the area referred to in paragraph 1 maintains secure contact, daily where possible, with every other inspection platform operating in that GFCM area, in order to exchange information necessary to coordinate the activities.
	8. Each Member State with an inspection or surveillance presence in the area referred to in paragraph 1 shall provide to each inspection platform, upon its entry into the area, a list of sightings established in accordance with Annex VII, of boardings and inspections it has conducted in the previous 10-day period, including dates, coordinates and any other relevant information.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/17

Amendment 69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45 d (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 89 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45d) the following article is inserted in Title II, Chapter VII:
	“Article 89c
	Conduct of inspections
	1. Inspectors assigned to the Scheme shall: (a) prior to boarding, notify the fishing vessel of the name of the inspection vessel; (b) display, on the inspection vessel and boarding vessel, the pennant described in Annex V; (c) limit each inspection team to a maximum of three inspectors.
	2. Upon boarding the vessel, inspectors shall produce the identity card described in Annex IV to the master of the fishing vessel. Inspections shall be conducted in one of the official languages of the GFCM and, where possible, in the language spoken by the master of the fishing vessel.
	3. Inspectors shall draw up a report of the inspection in the format set out in Annex VI.
	4. Inspectors shall sign the report in the presence of the master of the vessel who shall be entitled to add to the report any observations which he or she may think suitable and who must also sign.
	5. Copies of the report shall be given to the master of the vessel and to the authorities of the inspection party, which shall transmit copies to the authorities of the flag State of the inspected vessel and to the Commission and/or a body designated by it. The Commission shall forward the copy to the GFCM Secretariat.
	6. The size of the inspection party and length of the inspection shall be determined by the commanding officer of the inspection vessel taking into account all relevant circumstances.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/17

Amendment 70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 45 e (new)

Regulation (EU) 2023/2124

Article 89 d (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45e) the following article is inserted in Title II, Chapter VII:
	“Article 89d
	Infringements
	1. For the purposes of this Article, the following activities shall be considered as infringements:
	(a) the activities referred to in Article 3(1), points (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008;
	(b) interference with satellite monitoring system; and
	(c) operating without a VMS.
	2. In the case of any boarding and inspection of a fishing vessel during which the inspectors detect an infringement, the authorities of the flag Member State of the inspection vessel shall immediately inform the Commission, or a body designated by it, which shall notify the flag State of the inspected fishing vessel and the GFCM Secretariat directly. They shall also inform any inspection ship of the flag State of the fishing vessel known to be in the vicinity.
	3. The flag Member State of the fishing vessel shall ensure that, following an inspection in which an infringement has been detected, the fishing vessel concerned ceases all fishing activities. The flag Member State shall require the fishing vessel to proceed within 72 hours to a port designated by it, where an investigation shall be initiated.
	4. In the event that an infringement has been detected during an inspection, the actions and follow-up taken by the flag Member State shall be notified to the Commission or a body designated by it. The Commission or a body designated by it shall forward the action and follow-up taken to the GFCM Secretariat.
	5. Member States’ authorities shall act on inspection reports, as referred to in Article 30(3), sighting information sheet as provided in Annex VII and statements resulting from documentary inspections by inspectors on a similar basis as they act on reports and statements of national inspectors.”

Or. en

Justification

According to GFCM/46/2023/17

Amendment 71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 47

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 94a

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 94a	Article 94a
Catch certificate for turbot	Catch certificate for turbot
1. Member States shall issue a GFCM catch certificate to identify the origin of turbot catches in GSA 29 in all the steps of the supply chain. Such certificate shall be used to certify that such catches have been made in accordance with the conservation and management measures established in Title II Chapter VIII.	1. Member States shall fully implement by [the date of entry into force] the turbot Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) along the entire supply chain in order to ensure the traceability of turbot caught in the Black Sea and contribute to the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing activities.
2. A valid GFCM catch certificate issued by the competent authorities of the Member States shall accompany all landings, imports, exports and re-exports of turbot.	2. The paper-based turbot Catch Documentation Scheme established in paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to other national traceability systems in force ensuring the same level of control over the traceability of turbot by Member States and shall include the information detailed in Annex XXIV.
3. Each catch certificate shall have a unique document identification number. Such number shall be specific to the flag Member State and assigned to each fishing vessel authorized to fish for turbot. The catch certificate shall not be transferable to another fishing vessel.	3. The paper-based turbot Catch Documentation Scheme applies to first landings, exports and re-exports. Domestic trade is not included in the validation chain.
4. The competent authorities of the relevant flag Member State shall validate the catch certificates for turbot only once it has been established, after having checked the supporting documents and corresponding consignment, that all the information contained in the certificates is accurate.”;	4. Each catch certificate shall have a unique document identification number. This number shall be specific to the flag Member States and be assigned to each fishing vessel. The certificates shall not be transferable to another fishing vessel.
	5. Member States shall validate fishing certificates only when all the information contained in the turbot Catch Documentation Scheme have been established to be accurate as a result of the verification of the supporting documents and corresponding consignment.
	6. Member States shall report to the GFCM Secretariat on their Catch Documentation Scheme, as well as possible tagging and identification requirements and traceability and tracking requirements for turbot, which shall be in line with the provisions of this article in order to effectively ensure that the traceability objective is met. Such reports shall be notified to the GFCM Secretariat
	7. Member States shall notify the GFCM Secretariat of their competent authorities responsible for validating, checking and verifying the catch certificates, as well as Catch Documentation Scheme contact points, validation seal and other information relevant to the implementation of the Catch Documentation Scheme.
	8. Member States shall maintain the validated paper-based turbot catch certificates for a period of five years.
	9. Member States shall report annually on the implementation of the paper-based turbot Catch Documentation Scheme to the GFCM Secretariat in view of notifying the Compliance Committee (CoC), providing detailed information and statistical data on, inter alia, annual quantities validated, annual quantities traded, number of harvest certificates validated, and any relevant elements considered to provide information on the state of play. The reports shall be submitted to the GFCM Secretariat no later than 30 days before the session of the Compliance Committee (CoC).

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/20

Amendment 72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 48

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 96a – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Member States shall maintain the fishing fleet capacity or fishing effort at the levels established for years 2015to 2021 for the exploitation of piked dogfish in the Black Sea.	Member States shall maintain the fishing fleet capacity or fishing effort at the levels authorised and exerted during the years 2015 - 2021 for the exploitation of piked dogfish in the Black Sea.

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/10 and GFCM/47/2024/10

Amendment 73

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 48

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 96b – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Member States shall ensure that any additional measure is taken to improve data collection for the purpose of the scientific monitoring of picked dogfish species.	3. Member States shall ensure that any additional measure is taken to improve data collection for the purpose of the scientific monitoring of picked dogfish.

Or. en

Amendment 74

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 49 – point a

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 98 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure a high protection from fishing activities for elasmobranch species listed in Annex II and III to of the Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean”.;	1. Member States shall encourage further actions to improve the conservation status of elasmobranch species listed in Annex II to the Protocol and to mitigate or eliminate, where possible, the risk of incidental catch in fishing operations and/or the associated mortality concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean”.;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/16

Amendment 75

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 49 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 98 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. Member States shall report to the Commission, by 15 April 2026 at the latest, on at least one activity per species/gender listed in Annex XVII and present in the geographical subarea where fishing activities are carried out, or on at least five species-specific actions in total. to improve the conservation status of elasmobranchs, mitigate and, where possible, eliminate the risk of incidental catch of elasmobranch in fishing operations and the associated mortality. The Commission shall send that information to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April 2026, at the latest.	4. Member States shall report to the Commission, by 15 April 2026 at the latest, on at least one activity per species/gender listed in Annex XVII and present in the GSAs 1-27 where fishing activities are carried out, or on at least five species-specific actions in total. to improve the conservation status of elasmobranchs, mitigate and, where possible, eliminate the risk of incidental catch of elasmobranch in fishing operations and the associated mortality. The Commission shall send that information to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April 2026, at the latest.

Or. en

Amendment 76

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 49 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 98 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
5. Member States shall require fishing vessels catching sharks species as bycatch or incidental catch shall limit the bycatch of sharks listed in Annex III to the Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterraneanto a maximum percentage of the total catch in weight by fishing trip or to no more than three specimens.	5. Member States shall require fishing vessels catching sharks species in GSAs 1-27 as bycatch or incidental catch to limit the bycatch of sharks listed in Annex III to the Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean Sea to a maximum percentage of the total catch in weight per fishing trip or to no more than three specimens.

Or. en

Justification

Lingustic changes

Amendment 77

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 50

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 102 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(50) in Article 102, the following paragraph is added:	deleted
3. In the geographical zones of the Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 1-27), where the bycatch of the seabird species listed under Annex II to the SPA/BD Protocol of the Barcelona Convention occurs according to the SAC advice (mainly when seabirds are caught incidentally during fishing operations), the following measures shall apply:
(a) Member States shall collect data to fully characterize the bycatch of seabirds in fisheries, including the incidental catch of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater. Member States shall report to the Commission, by 15 April of each year, the information referred to in Annex XXII. The Commission shall send that information to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April of each year;
(b) Member States shall evaluate, by 2024, the effectiveness of at least two transitional mitigation measures listed in Annex XVIII to improve the conservation status of seabird species, mitigate and, where possible, eliminate the risk of incidental catch of seabirds in fishing operations and associated mortality.”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/13 was repealed by GFCM/46/2023/22.

Amendment 78

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 51

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 103a – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. By 2026, Member States shall notify to the Commission at least two of the mitigation measures adopted pursuant to points 1 and 2. In this regard, the areas and fleets with higher risks of interactions should be taken into consideration.	3. By 31 December 2026, Member States shall notify to the Commission at least two of the mitigation measures adopted pursuant to points 1 and 2. In this regard, the areas and fleets with higher risks of interactions should be taken into consideration.

Or. en

Amendment 79

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 105a – paragraph 1 – point d

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) maximum potential bycatch thresholds;	(d) implementation of maximum potential bycatch thresholds;

Or. en

Amendment 80

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 105a – paragraph 1 – point e

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(e) use of acoustic deterrent devices;	(e) use of acoustic deterrent devices; and

Or. en

Amendment 81

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 105a – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. The Member States are encouraged to facilitate the implementation of measures to avoid entanglement during depredation activity and to reduce post-release mortality, through appropriate guidelines and training.	2. The Member States are invited to facilitate the implementation of measures to avoid entanglement during depredation activity and to reduce post-release mortality, through appropriate guidelines and training.

Or. en

Justification

To better align the text with Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/15

Amendment 82

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 53 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106 – paragraph 1 – point e

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(e) any event of incidental catch, release and/or discarding of sharks species listed either in Annex II or Annex III to the SPA/BD Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean.”;	(e) any event of incidental catch, release and/or discarding in GSAs 1-27 of sharks species listed either in Annex II or Annex III to the SPA/BD Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean.”;

Or. en

Amendment 83

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 53 – point c

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106 – paragraph 1 – point f

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(f) any event of incidental catches of elasmobranchs”;	(f) any event of incidental catches of elasmobranchs in GSAs 1-27 ;

Or. en

Amendment 84

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 54

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106d – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Fishing vessels authorized to fish in zone B shall be equipped with remote electronic monitoring using increased data transmission frequency as well as an electronic logbook in correct working order or an equivalent document, and fishing gear on board or in use shall be duly identified, numbered and marked before the start of any fishing operation or navigation within the Fisheries Restricted Area. To the extent possible, the frequency of data transmissions of vessel monitoring systems (VMS or automated identification systems) shall be of at least once every 30 minutes when a fishing vessel enters any zone of a Fisheries Restricted Area.	2. Fishing vessels authorized to fish in part D(2) of annex XI shall be equipped with remote electronic monitoring using increased data transmission frequency as well as an electronic logbook in correct working order or an equivalent document, and fishing gear on board or in use shall be duly identified, numbered and marked before the start of any fishing operation or navigation within the Fisheries Restricted Area. To the extent possible, the frequency of data transmissions of vessel monitoring systems (VMS or automated identification systems) shall be of at least once every 30 minutes when a fishing vessel enters any zone of a Fisheries Restricted Area.

Or. en

Justification

Correcting reference mistake made by the Commission

Amendment 85

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 54

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106d – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. Member States shall send to the Commission, by 15 May of each year, a report on management measures taken in the FRAs. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation in accordance with Article 140 of this Regulation and Article 18(1) to (6) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 in respect of the content of the report, as will be agreed at GFCM level.	4. Member States shall send to the Commission, by 15 May of each year, a report on management measures taken in the FRAs. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation in accordance with Article 140 of this Regulation in respect of the content of the report as will be agreed at GFCM level.

Or. en

Justification

Regionalisation

Amendment 86

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 54

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106d – paragraph 5 – introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
5. The report provided for in paragraph 2 shall contain the following:	5. The report provided for in paragraph 4 shall contain the following:

Or. en

Amendment 87

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 54

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 106d – paragraph 5 – point c

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) the results of the inspection schemes including at least the number of infractions detected, the type of infraction and the sanctions applied;	(c) the results of the inspection schemes including at least the number of infractions detected and committed outside the areas of sovereignty of the Member States, the type of infraction and the sanctions applied;

Or. en

Amendment 88

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 55

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 107

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. A fisheries restricted area is established in the eastern Gulf of Lions, bounded by lines joining the geographic coordinates set out in Part A of Annex XI.	1. A fisheries restricted area in the eastern Gulf of Lion (geographical subarea 7) is established with a view to reinforcing the protection of spawning aggregations and deep-sea sensitive habitats.
2. In Part A Zone (1), professional fishing vessels targeting demersal stocks using towed nets, bottom and mid-water longlines and bottom-set nets and recreational fishing activity shall be prohibited.	2. The FRA under paragraph 1 shall be divided into Zone A and Zone B and bounded by the lines joining the geographical coordinates defined in Annex XI, Part A.
3. Fishing activities targeting demersal stocks using towed nets, bottom and mid-water longlines as well as bottom-set nets shall be prohibited in Part A Zone (2) from 1 November to 30 April of each year.”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 89

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 55 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 107a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(55a) the following article is inserted:
	“Article 107a
	Management and monitoring of fishing capacity and fishing effort
	1. With a view to contributing to the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) and essential fish habitats for demersal stocks such as European hake (Merluccius merluccius), any professional fishing vessels targeting demersal stocks and using towed nets, bottom or mid-water longlines or bottom-set nets shall be prohibited in Zone A.
	2. Any recreational fishing activity shall be prohibited in Zone A.
	3. Fishing activities targeting demersal stocks and using towed nets, bottom or mid-water longlines or bottom-set nets shall be prohibited in Zone B from 1 November to 30 April of each year. 4. Any recreational fishing activity shall be prohibited in Zone B.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 90

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 56

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 108

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. For demersal stocks, the fishing effort (days at sea) of vessels using towed nets, bottom- and mid-water longlines and bottom-set nets in the fisheries restricted area as referred to in Article 107 shall not exceed the level of fishing effort applied in 2008 by each Member State in that area.	The annual fishing effort (days at sea) exerted on demersal stocks by vessels authorised to fish in[WA1] the FRA using towed nets, bottom or mid-water longlines or bottom-set nets shall not exceed the level of fishing effort exerted over the reference period (set to the years 2015–2017).
2. Member States shall not transfer effort between vessels authorized to fish in the FRA that are of differing gear.”;

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 91

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 56 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 110 – paragraph 3

Present text	Amendment
	(56a) Article 110, paragraph 3 is replaced by:
3. Member States shall, not later than 16 February 2012, communicate to the Commission the national legislation in force on 31 December 2008 concerning:	“3. Member States shall, not later than 16 February 2012, communicate to the Commission the national legislation in force on 31 December 2008 concerning:
(a) the maximum number of hours per day a vessel is permitted to engage in fishing activity;	(a) the maximum time of daily fishing activity;
(b) the maximum number of days per week a vessel is permitted to stay at sea and be absent from port; and	(b) the maximum number of days at sea; and
(c) the compulsory times for fishing vessels to exit from, and return to, their registered port.	(c) the legally compulsory timing of exiting and returning to the registered port.”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 92

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 56 b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 110 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(56b) In article 110, the following paragraph is added:
	“3a. Member States shall not transfer effort between vessels authorised to fish in the FRA that use different types of gear.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 93

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 56 c (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 110 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(56c) the following article is inserted:
	“Article 110a
	Scientific monitoring
	Member States shall ensure:
	1. That a scientific monitoring plan for the FRA is developed.
	2. The results of the FRA monitoring plan shall be regularly reported and discussed within the relevant subsidiary bodies of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC). The monitoring plan and its efficiency shall be assessed regularly by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC).
	3. Information on all vessels authorised to fish in Zone B of the FRA is recorded by Member States (as listed in Annex VIII) and made publicly available on the GFCM website in a manner that is consistent with GFCM data confidentiality policy and procedures.
	4. Information on fishing activities, catch of key species, incidental catch, release and/or discarding of sensitive species listed either in Annex II or Annex III of the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA/BD Protocol) of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean is recorded by the ship owner in the electronic logbook or in an equivalent document, in line with the international standards and the data reporting requirements of relevant GFCM recommendations.
	5. Such information is reported to the national authorities for notification to the GFCM Secretariat, in line with the Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) manual.
	6. Any other additional measure, for example 5 percent coverage of onboard observers or remote electronic monitoring, to level the playing field between all vessels, is taken to improve data collection in view of the scientific monitoring of key species.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 94

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 56 d (new)

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 110 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(56d) the following article is inserted:
	“Article 110b
	Control and enforcement measures
	1. Member States shall maintain a register of the vessels authorised to fish in the FRA.
	2. By [the date of entry into force] , Member States shall communicate to the GFCM Secretariat, through the GFCM Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) online platform, the list of vessels flying their flag authorised to fish in the FRA. For each vessel, the list shall contain the information detailed in Annex VIII.
	3. Member States shall send to the GFCM Secretariat, by 31 May each year, a report on the management measures they have taken in FRAs. To facilitate a common approach across the GFCM area of application, this report shall be prepared in accordance with common guidelines developed by the GFCM Secretariat. The report shall be published on the GFCM website within two months of being received in a manner that is consistent with GFCM data confidentiality policy and procedures.
	4. Member States shall communicate to the GFCM Secretariat, by [the date of entry into force], the legal conditions, as in force 31 December 2023, regarding the maximum duration of a fishing day.
	5. Member States shall ensure that the fishing vessels operating in the FRA comply with the obligations under 1 and 2.
	6. Professional fishing vessels longer than 12 m transiting in the FRA shall have an operational transponder on board for vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and/or automated identification systems (AIS) displaying increased data transmission, and they shall have all fishing gear lashed and stowed during the entire duration of the transit. Professional fishing vessels in accordance with the GFCM recommendation shall follow a direct course at a constant speed of no less than 6 knots, except in case of force majeure or adverse conditions. In such cases, the vessel master shall immediately inform the fisheries monitoring centre of the vessel’s flag state so that it can notify the force majeure to the competent authorities of the Member States.”

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 95

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 57

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 112

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(57) Article 112 is deleted.	deleted

Or. en

Justification

GFCM/44/2021/5 was repealed by GFCM/46/2023/1

Amendment 96

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 60

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 120c – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Masters of fishing vessels over 15 meters in length overall flying their flag involved in a transhipment operation shall complete a GFCM transhipment declaration in accordance with Annex XX and indicate specifically all quantities of each species transhipped or received above 50 kg of live-weight equivalent and/or number of individuals when relevant.	1. Notwithstanding Article 21 of Regulation 1224/2009, Masters of fishing vessels over 15 meters in length overall flying their flag involved in a transhipment operation shall complete a GFCM transhipment declaration in accordance with Annex XX and indicate specifically all quantities of each species transhipped or received above 50 kg of live-weight equivalent and/or number of individuals when relevant.

Or. en

Amendment 97

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 60

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 120d – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. All donor and receiver vessels authorized to conduct transhipment shall be required to have and use an operational vessel monitoring system onboard in line with the minimum standards referred to in Recommendation GFCM/33/2009/7.	3. All donor and receiver vessels authorized to conduct transhipment shall be required to have and use an operational vessel monitoring system onboard in line with the characteristics described in Article 19 of Regulation 404/2011

Or. en

Justification

VMS covered in Regulation 1224/2009. Characteristics of satellite-tracking devices described in Regulation 404/2011

Amendment 98

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 60

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 120h – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Member States shall, by 1 January 2025, put in place and maintain either a mandatory licensing or registry scheme covering all recreational fishers.	Member States shall, by [the date of entry into force], put in place and maintain either a mandatory licensing or registry scheme covering all recreational fishers.

Or. en

Amendment 99

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 64

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 130a – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. Member States conducting a boarding of a vessel operating without nationality shall notify the Commission without delay. The Commission shall notify the GFCM Secretariat without delay.	4. When a vessel is sighted and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the vessel is without nationality, the sighting Member States may board the vessel to confirm its nationality. Member States conducting a boarding of a vessel operating without nationality shall notify the Commission without delay. The Commission shall notify the GFCM Secretariat without delay.

Or. en

Amendment 100

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 64

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 130a – paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
7. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation in accordance with Article 140 of this Regulation and Article 18(1) to (6) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 in respect of the data to be included in Annex VII.”;	deleted

Or. en

Justification

Empowerment has to be added in article 139. Therefore, Article 130a, paragraph 7 must be deleted.

Amendment 101

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 65 – introductory part

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 139

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(65) in Article 139, paragraph 1 the following points are added:	(65) Article 139 is replaced by the following:
	“Article 139
	Delegation of powers
	As far as is necessary, in order to implement into Union law amendments to already implemented GFCM measures which become binding for the Union, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts amending this Regulation, in accordance with Article 140, in respect of the following:
	(1) the provision to the GFCM Secretariat of information under Article 120(4);
	(2) the arrangements concerning the list of authorised vessels to be transmitted to the GFCM Secretariat under Articles 9, 10, 15, 24, 34, 47, 61, 70, 74e, 75c, 78(3), 86, 96c, 106b, 106d(1), 116 and 122, and the data to be included under Annexes VIII, XIX and XXIII;
	(3) the implementation of the permanent CDS for red coral under Article 55 and Annex X;
	(4) port state measures set out in Articles 123 to 127;
	(5) the table, the map and the geographical coordinates of GSAs set out in Annex I;
	(6) port state inspection procedures for vessels set out in Annex II;
	(7) GFCM statistical matrices set out in Annex III; and
	(8) references to international acts set out in Article 3(10), Article 12a, Article 120(2), and Article 120e(3);
	(9) information on vessel sightings in Annex VII;
	(10) measures concerning turbot as set out in Articles 90 to 94a.”;

Or. en

Justification

This Regulation adds a number of provisions and annexes containing arrangements for the transmission of lists of authorised vessels, those should be added to Article 139. GFCM recommendations that referred to in the text could be changed in the future. Commission should be able to align those references with the up to date recommendations.

Amendment 102

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 65

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 139 – paragraph 1 – point 11

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) The implementation of new template for the sightings under Article 130a and Annex VII;	deleted

Or. en

Amendment 103

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 65

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Article 139 – paragraph 1 – point 12

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) measures concerning turbot as set out in Articles 90 to 94a.”;	deleted

Or. en

Amendment 104

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 66 a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2023/2124

Article 140

Present text	Amendment
	(66a) Article 140 is replaced by the following:
Article 140	“Article 140
Exercise of the delegation	Exercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.	1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 41, 42 and 139 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of three years from 1 November 2023. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the three-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.	2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 41, 42, 106d and 139 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of three years from 1 November 2023. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the three-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
3. The delegation of powers referred to in Articles 41, 42 and 139 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force.	3. The delegation of powers referred to in Articles 41, 42, 106d and 139 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of the delegated acts already in force.
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.	4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.	5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 41, 42 and 139 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.	6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 41, 42, 106d and 139 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.”

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Justification

Article 106d introduces a new empowerment for the Commission to supplement Regulation 2023/2124. This Article should be included in the article on the exercise of the delegation.

Amendment 105

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 68

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(68) Annexes XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII and XXIII are added as set out in point (2) of the Annex to this Regulation.	(68) Annexes XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII ,XXIII and XXIV are added as set out in point (2) of the Annex to this Regulation.

Or. en

Amendment 106

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(1) Annexes VII, VIII and XI are replaced by the following:	(1) Annexes VII, VIII, X and XI are replaced by the following:

Or. en

Amendment 107

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – title

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
SIGHTING INFORMATION SHEET	SIGHTING REPORT

Or. en

Amendment 108

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Position of vessel sighted:	2. Position of vessel sighted:
Latitude Longitude	Latitude Longitude
	Fishing area, geographical subarea, division:

Or. en

Amendment 109

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 8

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
8. Registration number:	8. National Registration number:

Or. en

Amendment 110

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 9

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
9. GFCM fleet register number:	9. Vessel registration number:

Or. en

Amendment 111

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 11

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
11. Estimated length overall and gross tonnage:	11. Description of vessel
	Estimated length overall and gross tonnage:
m	m
GT	GT
	Estimated width:
	Other comments:

Or. en

Amendment 112

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 13

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
13. Nationality of captain:	deleted
Officer:
Crew:

Or. en

Amendment 113

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 14

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
14. Type of activities of the vessel sighted (please describe):	14. Type of activities of the vessel sighted (please describe):
	Date:
	Time:
	Activity:
	Direction:
	Position:
	Was the vessel presumed to harvest fish in maritime waters under the national jurisdiction of a coastal state in the GFCM area of application without the permission of such state or in contravention of its laws and regulations? [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Was the vessel presumed to carry out fishing activities during closed fishing periods or in closed areas? [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Was the vessel presumed to carry out transshipment activities at sea? [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Was the vessel presumed to fish without a nationality? [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Was the vessel presumed to carry out fishing activities without an adequate vessel identification number or while concealing its external markings? [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Was the vessel presumed to be engaged in fishing or fishing-related activities in contravention of any other GFCM conservation and management measures? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Or. en

Amendment 114

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 16

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
16. Description of vessel and fishing gear identified:	16. Radio contact made with the vessel [ ] Yes [ ] No
	Summary of the conversation with the vessel:

Or. en

Amendment 115

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 18

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
18. List of attached documents (such as photos etc.):	18. List of attached documents (such as photos, relevant reports drafted by competent authorities etc.):

Or. en

Amendment 116

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VII – row 19

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
19. The above information was collected by:	19. The above information was collected by:
Name:	Name:
Title:	Title:
Means of sighting (including vessel/aircraft name and position, where appropriate):	Means of sighting (including vessel/aircraft name and position, name and location of the fisheries monitoring centre (FMC), where appropriate):
Date: (day) (month) (year)	Date: (day) (month) (year)
Signature:	Signature:

Or. en

Amendment 117

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VIII – introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The list referred to in Articles 15, 24, [That article doesn’t provide for a list. To be checked, for all articles referred to.], 34, 47, 61, 70, 74, 75c, 78, 96c and 116 shall contain, for each vessel, the following information:	The list referred to in Articles 15, 24, 34, 47, 61, 70, 74, 75c, 78, 96c , 110a and 116 shall contain, for each vessel, the following information:

Or. en

Amendment 118

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VIII – indent 11

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– Main target species	– Main target species (if applicable)

Or. en

Amendment 119

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex VIII – indent 18

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– Designated port	– Designated port (if applicable)

Or. en

Amendment 120

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex X

Present text
[…]
Amendment
ANNEX X
Harvest certificate for the GFCM red coral catch documentation scheme
HARVEST CERTIFICATE FOR THE GFCM RED CORAL CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEME
Document number	Validating authority
1. Name:	Address	Tel. Fax
2. Fishing vessel name	Flag - Home port and registration number	Call sign	IMO/Lloyd’s number (if issued)
Fishing licence No – Valid to (date)	Inmarsat N, Fax No, Telephone No, E-mail address (if issued)
Landing port	Landing date From ………. to ……….

3. Description of product
Harvest zone	Harvest date	Net export weight (kg)	Corresponding live weight (kg)	Corresponding landed weight (kg)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
4. Name of master of fishing vessel – Signature:……………………….. Seal:
5. Name and address of exporter, if applicable	Signature	Date	Seal
6. Flag state authority validation:
Name/title	Signature	Date	Seal (stamp)
7. Transport details, if applicable
Export country/port/airport, others Place of departure	Means of transport identifiers (ship, flight, truck, etc.)

8. Importer declaration, if applicable
Name and address of importer	Signature	Date	Seal	Product CN code
(*) Tick as appropriate

RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE, if applicable
Certificate number	Date	Member State
1. Description of re-exported product	Weight (kg)
Species	Product code	Balance from total quantity declared in the havest certificate
2. Name of re-exporter	Address	Signature	Date
3. Authority
Name/title	Signature	Date	Seal/stamp
4. Re-export control
Place	Re-export authorised (*)	Verification requested (*)	Re-export declaration number and date
(*) Tick as appropriate

Or. en

(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R2124)

Amendment 121

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 1

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex XI – point A

Text proposed by the Commission
A. Fisheries restricted area in the Gulf of Lions
A fisheries restricted area in the eastern Gulf of Lions, bound by lines joining the following respective geographic coordinates:
Zone (1):
— 43°00’ N, 4°49,35’ E
— 43°00’ N, 4°53,7’ E
— 42°55,896’ N, 4°53,7’ E
— 42°55,896’ N, 4°49,35’ E
Zone (2):
— 42° 40′ N, 4° 20′ E
— 42° 40′ N, 5° 00′ E
— 43° 00′ N, 4° 20′ E
— 43° 00′ N, 5° 00′ E.
Amendment
A. Fisheries restricted area in the Gulf of Lions (geographical subarea 7).

Point	Longitude	Latitude
1	43°00’ N	4°49,35’ E
2	43°00’ N	4°53,7’ E
3	42°55,896’ N	4°53,7’ E
4	42°55,896’ N	4°49,35’ E

Zone B
Point	Longitude	Latitude
1	42°40’ N	4°20’ E
2	42°40’ N	5°00’ E
3	43°00’ N	4°20’ E
4	43°00’ N	5°00’ E

Or. en

Amendment 122

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2 – introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) the following Annexes XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII and XXIII are added:	(2) the following Annexes XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII , XXIV and XXV are added:

Or. en

Amendment 123

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex XIX – indent 13

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– Targeted species	– Species targeted

Or. en

Amendment 124

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex XX – row 6

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
6. Registration ID if different to 5	6. Registration ID if different from external ID

Or. en

Amendment 125

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex XXIV (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment
ANNEX XXIV (new)
Catch certificate for the GFCM turbot catch documentation scheme

CATCH CERTIFICATE FOR THE GFCM TURBOT CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEME IN GSA 29
Catch document number	Validating authority
1. Name of the fishing vessel’s master	Address Tel/fax/email
Signature and stamp of the fishing vessel’s master
2. Vessel name and registration no.	Flag and home port	Call sign/IMO (where applicable)
	Inmarsat/fax/telephone number/email
3. Port
	Port of departure and country	Port of landing and country
4. Master of the fishing vessel	Name Address Tel/fax/email
Fishing licence number – valid to (date)	Turbot fishing authorization number – valid to (date)	Signature of the holder
5. Catch area (coordinates longitude, latitude)	Catch date	Estimated live weight (kg)	Verified landed weight (kg)
a.
b.
c.

Or. en

Amendment 126

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 2023/2124

Annex XXV (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment
ANNEX XXV (new)
Data variables to be submitted to the GFCM Secretariat following the guidance by the SAC and in line with the Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF) manual, including field definitions

DATA FIELDS		MANDATORY (X)	DATA CONFIDENTIALITY STATUS*
Country	X		P
Reference year	X		P
Fishing period	X		P
Geographical subarea (GSA)	X		P
Total landings	X		P
Number of vessels	X		P
Total GT of vessels			P
Length range of vessels (m)			P
Average length of vessels (m)			P
Total number of FADs by type	X		S
Total number of fishing trips by type	X		S
Number of FADs targeted per fishing trip, by type	X		S
Number of FADs visited per fishing trip, by type	X		S
Average size of fish caught during the fishing season			S
System of collection and processing of catch and effort data			S
Transshipment			S

* In line with the GFCM data confidentiality policy and procedures, the “data confidentiality status” identifies the access-level criteria for the sake of data dissemination: public (P), semi-private (S) or private (R).

Or. en

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Rapporteur recognises the efforts done by the Commission within GFCM to achieve a level playing field in the Mediterranean. These efforts have contributed to fostering a better culture of compliance among all contracting parties. Additionally, the Rapporteur commends the enhanced role of EFCA in coordinating control and inspection activities by Member States on the basis of international control and inspection programmes. However, the Rapporteur emphasises that any progress made in decreasing overfishing in the Mediterranean is largely due to the EU fleet's commitment to reducing its fishing effort. The emergence of countries from North Africa and the Near East in the exploitation of shared fisheries has led to ecological and socio-economic effects that are not reflected well enough in GFCM decisions. In the view of the Rapporteur, the GFCM should be the instrument to safeguard European fisheries' interests in the Mediterranean.

Over the past twenty years, the Euro-Mediterranean fishing sector has seen a decline in fleet size and fishing effort, resulting in reduced employment opportunities. Effort-reduction policies have resulted in a noticeable decrease in both the volume and value of production across all sectors. Additionally, several factors have contributed to this negative trend in the European fishing sector, including economic challenges (such as rising energy costs and the impacts of COVID-19), social issues (like difficulties in finding skilled workers), and ecological factors (including increased fishing effort from non-EU Mediterranean countries, climate change, and the presence of invasive alien species).

Against this backdrop, GFCM should step up its efforts to defend the European fishing sector, paying particular attention to employment while ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources. The Rapporteur believes the recommendations must be strictly transposed into EU law and regrets that the Commission has proposed some amendments that go beyond the scope of the GFCM recommendation, imposing additional restrictions on Member States that won't apply to other GFCM contracting parties (e.g. Albania and Montenegro). Apart from potentially damaging the Union's reputation as a leader in sustainability on the global stage, it also creates significant legal uncertainty for EU operators in the Mediterranean Sea. The Commission must ensure complete transparency in its negotiations and, especially, ensure a level playing field between EU operators and other contracting parties of the GFCM.

Additionally, the Rapporteur expresses her disappointment regarding the absence of the decisions made by GFCM in 2023 from the proposal. While she appreciates the Commission's informal support in addressing this matter, she would have preferred that these recommendations had been included in the Commission's initial proposal. The Rapporteur also raises concerns that the Commission is proposing to implement GFCM recommendations that date back to 2021 and 2022, meaning that the Union has not been complying with its international obligations for nearly four years. To ensure alignment with the most recent GFCM decisions, the Rapporteur has decided to include the 2023 recommendations in her amendments, noting that this is critical for maintaining the Union’s credibility on the international stage.

The Rapporteur, therefore, strongly urges the Commission to submit any future proposal for transposing recommendations from regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) within a maximum of six months from the date of their adoption at the RFMO. Notably, it has not yet been six months since the last GFCM session in November 2024. The Commission must continue on its path to ensure complete transparency in sharing its positions concerning negotiations within GFCM. The Rapporteur looks forward to receiving the Commission's proposal for the 2024 recommendations, following their legal examination.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that she received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the draft report:

Entity and/or person
Permanent representation of Croatia to the EU
Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Croatia

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that she has submitted to the concerned natural persons the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.