(1)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2066 (2) provides the implementation of the landing obligation for certain demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea applicable from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024.

(2)

On 9 May 2022, Spain, France and Italy (‘Pescamed High-Level Group’) submitted to the Commission a joint recommendation proposing the extension of certain exemptions of the landing obligation for demersal fisheries in the western Mediterranean Sea, taking into account the views of the Mediterranean Advisory Council.

(3)

The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (‘STECF’) assessed the joint recommendation between 16 and 20 May 2022 (3).

(4)

On 8 July 2022, the Pescamed High-Level Group submitted an updated joint recommendation, which STECF also assessed.

(5)

Under Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), the Commission has considered the updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 in light of the STECF’s assessment to ensure that it is compatible with the relevant conservation measures, including the landing obligation.

(6)

The updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 proposes to extend the high survivability exemptions, as provided for in Article 15(4), point (b), of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, established for Venus shells (Venus spp.), Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.) caught with mechanised dredges.

(7)

Regarding Venus shells (Venus spp), the STECF concluded that the supporting information for provides robust high survivability estimates. The Commission therefore considers that the exemption should be extended.

(8)

Regarding Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.), the STECF highlighted, that additional evidence has been submitted as regards Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus). The Commission acknowledges the existence of scientific studies and publications in relation to these two species and other similar bivalve species caught by mechanised dredges in other sea basins and that have been assessed in the past by the STECF. Regarding the similarities with the Western Mediterranean Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.), the likely high survivability of those species is to be considered in relation to these two species while requesting Member States to develop studies in the Western Mediterranean.

(9)

As the evidence on the survival rates of Scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and Carpet clams (Venerupis spp.) is inconclusive and STECF concluded that further scientific evidence on the survivability need to be provided for those bivalve species in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Commission considers that the exemption should be extended only for a short period. The Member States concerned should therefore submit the relevant scientific evidence for STECF to evaluate.

(10)

The Member States concerned renewed their commitment in the updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 to increase the selectivity of the fishing gears in accordance with the results of current research programmes in order to reduce and limit unwanted catches and particularly catches below minimum conservation reference sizes.

(11)

Furthermore, the Member States concerned also committed in the updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 to identify further closure areas in order to reduce juvenile mortality, where there is evidence of a high concentration of juvenile fish.

(12)

The measures proposed by the updated joint recommendation of 8 July 2022 are in line with Article 15(4), Article 15(5), points (b), and Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2066 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(13)

Since the measures provided for in this Regulation impact directly on the planning of the fishing season of Union vessels and on related economic activities, this Regulation should enter into force immediately after its publication. It should however apply from a later date,

(a)

in paragraph 1, points (a), (b) and (c) are replaced by the following:

(b)

paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: