24/01/2017 (Agence Europe) – The Council of Ministers of the EU adopted a regulation, without debate, on Monday 23 January, granting smaller vessels (under 15 metres) an exemption to the rule banning the catching of cod in the Western Baltic Sea from 1 February to 31 March 2017 (see EUROPE 11701). Vessels of less than 15 metres will then be able to fish during the period of the moratorium but subject to conditions (only in areas where the water depth is less than 20 metres, for example). (LC)