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L 253/92 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 16.7.2021
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/1168
of 27 April 2021
establishing the list of mandatory research surveys at sea and thresholds as part of the multiannual
Union programme for the collection and management of data in the fisheries and aquaculture
sectors from 2022
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the
establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for
scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008(1), and in
particular the first and third subparagraphs of Article 4(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Article 25 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2)requires the Member
States to collect the biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data that are necessary for fisheries
management.
(2) Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 requires the Commission to establish a multiannual Union programme
for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector (EU MAP).
(3) The EU MAP is necessary for Member States to specify and plan their data collection activities in their national work
plans. It sets out a detailed list of data requirements for the collection and management of biological, environmental
and socioeconomic data, lists mandatory surveys at sea and sets thresholds for data collection. The EU MAP for
2020-2021 was adopted by Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/910(3) and Commission Implementing
Decision (EU) 2019/909(4). Both decisions expire on 31 December 2021.
(4) This Decision therefore establishes the list of mandatory research surveys at sea and thresholds below which it is not
mandatory for Member States to collect data from their fishing and aquaculture activities or carry out surveys at sea,
as referred to in Article 5(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 from 1 January 2022. It also lays down the
areas of marine regions for the purposes of data collection as referred to in Article 9(11) of that Regulation (EU)
2017/1004.
(5) The Commission has consulted the relevant regional coordination groups and the Scientific, Technical and
Economic Committee for Fisheries in line with Article 4(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004.
(6) This Decision is to be read in conjunction with Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167(5)which repeals
Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/910 and lays down detailed arrangements on the collection and management of
biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data by Member States, as referred to in Article 5(1)(a) of
Regulation (EU) 2017/1004, from 1 January 2022.
(1) OJ L 157, 20.6.2017, p. 1.
(2) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy,
amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002
and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22).
(3) Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/910 of 13 March 2019 establishing the multiannual Union programme for the collection
and management of biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors (OJ L 145,
4.6.2019, p. 27).
(4) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/909 of 18 February 2019 establishing the list of mandatory research surveys and
thresholds for the purposes of the multiannual Union programme for the collection and management of data in the fisheries and
aquaculture sectors (OJ L 145, 4.6.2019, p. 21).
(5) Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167 of 27 April 2021 establishing the multiannual Union programme for the collection
and management of biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from 2022
(See page 51 of this Official Journal).16.7.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 253/93
(7) For reasons of legal certainty, Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/909 should be repealed with effect from 1 January
2022.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for
Fisheries and Aquaculture,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The list of mandatory research surveys at sea, the definitions of geographical areas applicable for the collection of Union
fisheries data and thresholds below which it is not mandatory for Member States to collect data from their fishing and
aquaculture activities or carry out surveys at sea from 2022 is set out in the Annex to this Decision. The list of surveys and
thresholds form part of the multiannual Union programme for the collection and management of data in the fisheries
sector, as referred to in points (b) and (c) of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1004.
Article 2
Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/909 is repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2022.
Done at Brussels, 27 April 2021.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYENL 253/94 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 16.7.2021
ANNEX
CHAPTER I
Research surveys at sea
1. The research surveys at sea listed in table 1 below shall be carried out, as a minimum, unless a scientific review of
surveys concludes that one or more of those surveys are no longer appropriate for informing stock assessment and
fisheries management. New surveys may be added to the table on the basis of the same review criteria.
In the national work plans referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of
the Council(1), Member States shall set out the research surveys at sea to be carried out and shall be responsible for these
surveys.
Member States’ national work plans, or regional work plans where applicable, shall ensure continuity with previous
survey designs.
2. It is not mandatory for Member States to participate (physically or financially) in single-species research surveys at sea
where:
(a) their share of a Union total allowable catch (TAC) for the main target species (as listed in the table) is below 3 %
unless another threshold of up to 5 % is agreed at marine region level; or
(b) where no TAC is fixed, their share of the relevant total Union landings is below 3 % in the 3 preceding years unless
another threshold of up to 5 % is agreed at marine region level.
3. For multispecies and ecosystem surveys, thresholds may be set at marine region level.
4. Member States contributing to international research surveys shall coordinate their efforts within the same marine
region.
Table 1
Research surveys at sea
Regional
Name of survey Acronym Area(s) Main target species coordination group
(RCG) governance
Baltic Sea (ICES areas 3aS, 3b-d)
Baltic International Trawl Survey BITS_Q1 3aS, 3b-d BLL COD DAB FLE HER Baltic RCG
PLE TUR
Baltic International Trawl Survey BITS_Q4 3aS, 3b-d BLL COD DAB FLE HER
PLE TUR
Baltic International Acoustic BIAS 3a, 3b-d HER SPR
Survey (autumn)
Gulf of Riga Acoustic Herring GRAHS 3d HER
Survey
Sprat Acoustic Survey SPRAS 3d SPR
Rügen Herring Larvae Survey RHLS_DEU 3d HER
Fehmarn Juvenile Cod Survey FEJUCS 3c SD22 COD
(1) Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the European Maritime and Fisheries
Fund and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2328/2003, (EC) No 861/2006, (EC) No 1198/2006 and (EC) No 791/2007 and
Regulation (EU) No 1255/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 149, 20.5.2014, p. 1).16.7.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 253/95
North Sea and Eastern Arctic (ICES areas 1, 2, 3a, 4, 7d)
Kattegat Cod Survey CODS_Q4 3a COD North Sea and Eastern
Arctic RCG
International Bottom Trawl IBTS_Q1 3a, 4 COD FLE GUG HAD HER
Survey NOP PLE RJC RJM RJN RJR
SPR SYC TUR WHG WIT
International Bottom Trawl IBTS_Q3 3a, 4 COD HAD HER NOP PLE
Survey POK RJC RJH RJM RJN RJR
SPR SYC TUR WHG WIT
North Sea Beam Trawl Survey BTS 4b, 4c, 7d DAB PLE RJC RJE RJM SDV
SOL SYC SYT TUR
Demersal Young Fish Survey DYFS Coasts of NS SOL
Sole Net Survey SNS_NLD 4b, 4c SOL TUR
North Sea Sandeels Survey NSSS 4a, 4b SAN
International Ecosystem Survey in ASH 2a HER
the Nordic Seas
Mackerel Egg Survey (triennial) NSMEGS 4 MAC
Herring Larvae Survey IHLS 4, 7d HER
NS Herring Acoustic Survey NHAS 3a, 4, 6a HER SPR
Nephrops UWTV survey UWTV3-4, 3a, 4a, 4b NEP
UWTV6,
UWTV7,
UWTV8,
UWTV9
North Atlantic (ICES areas 5-14 and NAFO areas)
International Redfish Trawl and REDTAS 5a, 12, 14; REB North Sea and Eastern
Acoustic Survey (triennial) NAFO SA 1-3 Arctic RCG
Flemish Cap Groundfish Survey FCGS 3M AME COD GRE NOR RED
ROU SHO
Greenland Groundfish Survey GGS 14, NAFO COD RED REG
SA1
3LNO Groundfish Survey PLATUX- NAFO 3LNO AME COD GRE NOR RED
A_ESP ROU THO WHI WIT YEL
Western IBTS 4th quarter IBTS_Q4 6a, 7, 8, 9a OCTs MON ANK ANF North Atlantic RCG
(including porcupine survey) BOC BSS COD CTL DGS
GAG GFB HAD HER HKE
HOM LDB MAC MEG LEZ
LDB NEP PLE RJC RJM RJN
RNG SDV SHO SQZ SYC
WHG
Western IBTS 1st quarter IBTS_Q1 6a, 7a OCTs COD CTL HAD HER
HOM LEZ MAC NEP PLE
RJC RJM RJN SDV SHO
SYC WHG
ISBCBTS September ISBCBTS 7afg PLE RJC RJE RJH RJM SDV
SOL SYC
Western Channel Beam Trawl SWE- 7efgh RJB RJC RJE RJH RJM SDV
Survey COS_GBE SOL SYCL 253/96 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 16.7.2021
Blue Whiting Survey IBWSS 6, 7 WHB
International Mackerel and Horse MEGS 6, 7, 8, 9a HOM MAC
Mackerel Egg Survey (triennial)
Sardine, Anchovy Horse Mackerel SAHMAS 8, 9 ANE BOC HOM PIL
Acoustic Survey
Sardine DEPM (triennial) SDEPM 8c, 9a HOM PIL
Spawning/Pre-spawning Herring/ WESPAS_IRL 6a, 7a-g BOC HER
Boarfish Acoustic Survey
Biomass of Anchovy BIOMAN 8 ANE PIL
Nephrops UWTV Survey UWT- 6a, 7a, 7b, NEP LDB GFB SHO
V11-13, 7ghj, 9a
UWTV14,
UWTV15,
UWT-
V16-17,
UWTV19,
UWT-
V20-22,
UWTV30
Nephrops Survey Offshore NepS 9a NEP
Portugal (FU 28-29)
Celtic Sea Herring Acoustic CSHAS_IRL 6a, 7gj HER
Survey
Acoustic Survey on Sardine and ECOCADI- 9a ANE
Anchovy Z_ESP
Swept Area Trawl Survey for IESSNS 2, 3aN, 4, 5, MAC HER WHB
Mackerel 14
Acoustic Survey for Juvenile JUVENA_ESP 8a-d ANE
Anchovy in the Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay Demersal Resources ORHA- 8ab SOL
Survey GO_Q4_FRA
Deepwater Longline Survey PALPRO_ESP 8c GFB
Irish Anglerfish and Megrim IAMS_IRL 6a, 7 MON ANK ANF
Survey MEG LEZ LDB
Anglerfish and Megrim Survey SIA- 4a, 4b, 6a, 6b ANF LEZ
(industry-science survey) MISS_GBS
Western Channel Celtic Sea PELTIC 7de PIL ANE SPR
Pelagic Survey
Herring Acoustic Survey ISAS 7a HER
Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
Pan-Mediterranean Acoustic MEDIAS GSA 1, 6, 7, 9, ANE PIL Mediterranean and
Survey 10, 15, 16, Black Sea RCG
17, 18, 20, 22
Bottom Trawl Survey in Black Sea BTSBS GSA 29 DGS TUR WHG16.7.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 253/97
Pelagic Trawl Survey in Black Sea PTSBS GSA 29 SPR
International Bottom Trawl MEDITS GSA 1, 2, 3, 5, according to the target
Survey in the Mediterranean 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, species list from a relevant
11, 15, 16, MEDITS handbook
17, 18, 19,
20, 22, 23, 25
Beam Trawl Survey (GSA 17) SOLEMON GSA 17 CTC MTS SOL
Bluefin Tuna Larval Survey TUNIBAL GSA 5, 6 ALB BFT Large pelagic RCG
(Balearic Sea)
CHAPTER II
Thresholds for data collection
1. This Chapter sets thresholds for the collection of Union fisheries data specified in Commission Delegated Decision (EU)
2021/1167(2).
2. It is not mandatory for Member States to collect biological data for certain stocks where one of the following conditions
is met:
(a) their share of the relevant (individual or combined) TAC is less than 10 % of the Union total, unless the sum of the
shares of the Member States concerned exceeds 25 % of the TAC; or
(b) where no TAC is fixed, the total landings of a Member State from a stock are less than 10 % of the relevant average
total European Union landings in the previous 3 years; or
(c) the total annual landings of a Member State from a stock are less than 200 tonnes. For species with a specific
management need, a lower threshold may be defined at marine region level.
Where the collective 25 % threshold referred to in point (a) is reached, the Member States concerned shall share tasks
relating to the collection of biological data at marine region level to ensure that the relevant stocks are covered by
sampling in accordance with end-user needs.
3. For species under tuna regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), thresholds as set out in RFMO
requirements shall apply.
4. No thresholds shall apply to:
(a) diadromous species; and
(b) sensitive species as defined in Article 6(8) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the
Council(3).
5. No thresholds shall apply to obtaining catch estimates from recreational catches. Thresholds on biological data
collection from recreational catches shall be agreed and coordinated at marine region level and shall be based on end
user needs.
6. Without prejudice to specific international obligations under RFMOs, it is not mandatory to collect biological data
where the Union’s share of an internationally exploited stock is less than 10 %.
(2) Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167 of 27 April 2021 establishing the multiannual Union programme for the collection
and management of biological, environmental, technical and socioeconomic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors from 2022
(OJ L 253, … 51).
(3) Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources
and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC)
No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the
European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000,
(EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).L 253/98 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 16.7.2021
7. As regards the collection of social, economic and environmental data on aquaculture:
(a) it is not mandatory for Member States to collect such data if their total aquaculture production is less than 1 % of
total Union aquaculture production by both weight and value;
(b) it is not mandatory for Member States to collect such data for species accounting for less than 5 % of the Member
State’s aquaculture production by both weight and value; and
(c) where the total aquaculture production of a Member State is between 1 % and 2,5 % of total Union aquaculture
production by both weight and value, that Member State may use simplified methodologies to estimate such data.
The thresholds referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) shall be calculated on the basis of the latest Eurostat publication of the
relevant Member State’s data.
Without prejudice to points (a), (b) and (c), Member States shall collect data on the value and weight of their aquaculture
production, on a yearly basis.
CHAPTER III
Geographical stratification by region
For the purposes of the collection of Union fisheries data specified in the Annex to Delegated Decision (EU) 2021/1167,
the definitions of the geographical areas of marine regions listed in table 2 below shall apply.
Table 2
Geographical stratification by region
Areas that should be covered for DCF purposes Region Supra region(1)
Baltic Sea (FAO area 27) ICES areas 3b-d Baltic Sea
Eastern Arctic, Norwegian ICES areas 1, 2, 3a, 4 and 7d North Sea and Eastern
Baltic Sea; North Sea; Eastern
Sea, Barents Sea, Skagerrak Arctic
Arctic; NAFO; extended
and Kattegat, North Sea and
North Western waters (ICES
Eastern Channel,
ICES zones 5, 6, 7 areas 5, 6 and 7) and
North-East Atlantic and
(excluding 7d), 8, 9, 10, 12 North-East Atlantic extended South Western
Western Channel (FAO
and 14 waters (ICES areas 10, 12
area 27)
and 14)
North-West Atlantic (FAO
NAFO Convention area
area 21)
Eastern Central Atlantic (FAO
CECAF Convention area
area 34)
Western Central Atlantic WECAFC (*) Convention
(FAO area 31) area
Other regions where
South-East Atlantic (FAO fisheries are operated
SEAFO Convention area
area 47) outside EU waters by
Community vessels and
South Pacific (FAO area 81 are under reporting
SPRFMO Convention area
and 87) obligations to Regional
Fisheries Management
Atlantic Ocean and adjacent Organisations (RFMO)
Other regions
seas (FAO 21, 27, 31, 37, 41, ICCAT Convention area or regional fisheries
47, 34, 48) bodies to which the
Community is
Indian Ocean (FAO area 51 contracting party or
IOTC Convention area
and 57) observer.
Indian Ocean (FAO area 51
SIOFA Convention area
and 57)
Indian Ocean (FAO area 51
CCSBT Convention area
and 57)
WCPFC Convention area16.7.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 253/99
Western Central Pacific (FAO
area 71)
Eastern Central Pacific (FAO IATTC Convention area
area 77 and 87)
Antarctic and Southern
Indian Ocean (FAO area 48, CCAMLR Convention area
58 and 88)
EU waters around Mayotte
and la Réunion Islands
EU waters around French
Guiana, Martinique,
Guadeloupe islands
EU Outermost Regions Outermost regions
EU waters around Azores Baltic Sea; North Sea; Eastern
(FAO 27.10.a.2) Arctic; NAFO; extended
North Western waters (ICES
EU waters around Madeira areas 5, 6 and 7) and
and Canary Islands (FAO extended South Western
34.1.2) waters (ICES areas 10, 12
and 14)
Mediterranean Sea and Black Mediterranean and Black Mediterranean Sea and Black
GFCM GSA 1-29
Sea (FAO area 37) Sea Sea
(1) Each vessel not engaged in long distance fishing shall be allocated to a supra region based on the number of days at sea (more than
50 %) spent in the supra region.
(*) excluding EU waters