Brussels, 03/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 3 March, the Council Ministers of the EU adopted its position on the regulation modifying regulation 812/2004 laying down measures on accidental catches of cetaceans in fishing. The text reflects the agreement reached by the Council and the European Parliament at a trialogue on 30 January 2014.
The text provides for delegated acts to be used to adapt the technical specifications and conditions for the use of acoustic deterrent devices, as well as implementing acts for the details regarding the procedure and format of the reports to be submitted by the member states. This allows the new regulation to take on board the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
As regards the obligation of the member states to take the necessary measures to establish a rigorous system to protect cetaceans, and given the inadequacies the Commission has identified in the said regulation, the regulation provides for a review of the relevance and effectiveness of the provisions of the said regulation by no later than 31 December 2015. On the basis of this review, the Commission will, if necessary, present the European Parliament and the Council with an overall legislative proposal to guarantee the effective protection of cetaceans, including by means of the regionalisation process, according to the text of the regulation. (LC)