Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1300/2008 of 18 December 2008 establishing a multi-annual plan for the stock of herring distributed to the west of Scotland and the fisheries exploiting that stock

(COM(2011)0760 – C7-0432/2011 – 2011/0345(COD))

This report, by Struan STEVENSON (ECR, UK) was written for and adopted by the Committee on Fisheries. It proposes to amend the Council Regulation (EC) No 1300/2008 of 18 December 2008, which establishes a multi-annual plan for the stock of herring distributed to the west of Scotland and the fisheries exploiting that stock. The main amendments relate to the definition of “herring stock in the area west of Scotland”, which now encompasses herring found in Scottish and Union and international waters. Previously the term only related to herring found in Scottish waters alone. Members agree the new definition is more apposite.

The report also states that any amendment to the multi-annual plan, apart from revision of the maximum fishing mortality rates and the associated spawning stock biomass levels, would have to be adopted via the ordinary legislative procedure. Further to this, it is stated that:

- “The Commission should be obliged to use scientific data from the STECF (The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries) and to consult the Pelagic Regional Advisory Council before taking any decision on adopting delegated acts fixing new values for fishing mortality rates and spawning stock biomass levels”.

The European Parliament voted to approve the report on the 14th June 2012 with 593 for, 10 against and 7 abstentions.

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Alternatively visit the website at www.europarl.europa.eu

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