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Summary of Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2658 of 3 October 2024
The European Commission has adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/2658, which establishes a fisheries closure for hake (Merluccius merluccius) in specific geographical subareas of the Mediterranean Sea. This measure affects demersal longline fishing vessels flying the flag of Italy, with an overall length equal to or exceeding 18 meters but less than 24 meters.
Key Provisions
Effort Exhaustion (Article 1)
The regulation declares that the maximum allowable fishing effort allocated to Italy for hake in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) geographical subareas 8, 9, 10, and 11 for the year 2024 is deemed to have been reached as of the date specified in the annex.
Prohibitions (Article 2)
As a result of the effort exhaustion, the following activities are prohibited for the affected vessels from the date set out in the annex:
- Fishing activities targeting hake in GFCM geographical subareas 8, 9, 10, and 11.
- Retaining hake on board.
- Relocating hake.
- Transhipping hake.
- Landing hake caught by these vessels after the specified date.
Entry into Force (Article 3)
This regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Details Provided in the Annex
| Member State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Fishing Effort Group Code | EFF1/MED2_LL3 |
| Stock Group | Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in GSAs 8, 9, 10, and 11 |
| Vessels Concerned | Demersal longliners ≥ 18 m and < 24 m in overall length |
| Closing Date | 7 September 2024 |
Affected Geographical Subareas
The regulation pertains to the following GFCM geographical subareas (GSAs):
- GSA 8: Corsica Island
- GSA 9: Ligurian and North Tyrrhenian Sea
- GSA 10: South Tyrrhenian Sea
- GSA 11: Sardinia
Vessels Subject to the Closure
The closure applies exclusively to Italian-flagged or registered demersal longline vessels that meet the following criteria:
- An overall length equal to or greater than 18 meters.
- An overall length less than 24 meters.
Prohibited Activities
From 7 September 2024, the specified vessels are prohibited from engaging in:
- Fishing for hake in the designated GSAs.
- Keeping hake onboard the vessel.
- Moving hake to another location.
- Transferring hake to another vessel (transhipping).
- Landing hake caught after the closure date.
Purpose of the Regulation
The regulation ensures compliance with the fishing effort limits set for hake stocks in the Mediterranean Sea for the year 2024. By declaring the fishing effort as exhausted, the European Commission aims to prevent overfishing and promote the sustainable management of marine resources.
Legal References
The regulation is enacted under the authority granted by:
- Article 36(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009, establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy.
- Council Regulation (EU) 2024/259 of 10 January 2024, which sets fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Seas for 2024.
Implementation
The regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States of the European Union. It is effective from the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Official Publication Details
The regulation was published under the following identifiers:
- Publication Date: 9 October 2024
- Official Journal: Official Journal of the European Union, L series
- ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2658/oj
- ISSN: 1977-0677 (electronic edition)
Contact Information
For further details or clarifications, the regulation can be accessed through the European Union’s legal portal using the provided Electronic Legal Information (ELI) link.
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