Brussels, 27/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 26 February, the European Commission adopted a proposal aimed at transposing into Community law conservation and enforcement measures recently adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO).
During the annual meeting in 2007, held in Lisbon from 24-28 September, NAFO adopted a number of modifications to these conservation and enforcement measures. The following modifications were adopted: - a definition of the concept of transhipments; - mesh size provisions for the redfish fishery in NAFO Division 3O; - introduction of a closed area for bottom contact gear to protect vulnerable deep sea corals; - additional catch reporting requirements for the shrimp fishery in NAFO Division 3L; - technical requirements for the construction of boarding ladders and pilot hoists; - amendments to the list of stocks subject to regular reporting requirements; - modifications to the template for port inspections, and; - modifications to the list of product codes intended to apply the same standards as those in force in the North East Atlantic. As these modifications are binding, they must be implemented in Community law. The Council is therefore requested to adopt this proposal as soon as possible. (L.C.)