Brussels, 14/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 13 July, the Council adopted, without debate, its first reading position with a view to adopting a regulation on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) agreement area. The European Parliament is expected to prepare adoption of the same text in early second reading.
The European Union along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Spain are contracting parties to the GFCM. The GFCM has adopted measures which must now be incorporated into EU law (see EUROPE 11317). These measures relate, inter alia, to exploitation of red coral (the use of remotely operated underwater vehicles - ROVs - in the exploitation of red coral is banned) and the protection of certain marine species. (Lionel Changeur)