This Recommendation of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), establishes a multiannual management plan (plan) for the fisheries targeting European hake or deep-water rose shrimp in the marine waters of GSA 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 (Strait of Sicily), as defined in Resolution GFCM/33/2009/2. It shall apply to bottom trawls above 10 meters length overall fishing for European hake and deep-water rose shrimp in the Strait of Sicily, when the total catches of those species represents at least 25 percent of the catch in live weight or value. The plan shall, in particular: a) Apply the precautionary approach to fisheries management; b) Ensure that exploitation levels of European hake and deep-water rose shrimp are at the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2020 at the latest; c) Protect nursery areas and essential fish habitats important for the stocks of European hake and deep-water rose shrimp in the Strait of Sicily; d) Gradually eliminate discards, by avoiding and reducing, as far as possible, unwanted catches, and by gradually ensuring that catches are landed; e) Provide for measures to adjust the fishing capacity of the fleets to levels of fishing mortalities consistent with the MSY, with a view to having economically viable fleets and without overexploiting marine biological resources. The Recommendation requires technical measures to be taken such as establishment of Fisheries restricted areas (FRAs) and CPCs shall take specific measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities, such as establishment of catch recording systems, designation of ports of landing, and restrictions on landing and transshipment. The CPCs, through the GFCM, shall establish before 2018 an observation and inspection programme to ensure compliance with the conservation and management measures contained in this Recommendation. The Recommendation also concerns scientific monitoring, adaptation and revision of the Plan.
2016-01-01