Date: 2022-10-31Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2090 of 27 October 2022 fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2023 and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/109 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters
Executive Summary:
This regulation fixes fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2023 and amends Regulation EU 2022/109 regarding fishing opportunities in other waters. It establishes TACs (Total Allowable Catches), quotas, and conditions for Union fishing vessels operating in the Baltic Sea, considering scientific advice and conservation measures. The regulation includes measures for recreational fisheries and the conservation of sea trout and salmon stocks. Most provisions apply from January 1, 2023, with exceptions for Norway pout and capelin.
Key Points / Main Content:
Fishing Opportunities and Allocations:
* TACs, quotas, and related conditions for fish stocks are set out in the Annex.
* Allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States is without prejudice to exchanges, deductions, or reallocations as per relevant regulations.
* Stocks of nontarget species within safe biological limits are identified for derogation from catch quota obligations.
Closures to Protect Cod Spawning:
* Fishing is prohibited in subdivisions 25 and 26 from May 1 to August 31, with exceptions for scientific investigations and small-scale fishing.
* Fishing is prohibited in subdivisions 22 and 23 from January 15 to March 31 and in subdivision 24 from May 15 to August 15, with similar exceptions.
* Vessel masters must ensure their fishing activity can be monitored by control authorities.
Recreational Fisheries Measures:
* Cod: Limited to one specimen per fisher per day in specified areas of subdivisions 22-24, with prohibitions during certain periods and in certain subdivisions.
* Salmon: Prohibited in subdivisions 22-31, except under specific conditions (e.g., adipose fin-clipped salmon only, cessation of fishing after one catch).
* North of latitude 59°30'N, recreational salmon fishing is allowed from May 1 to August 31 within four nautical miles of baselines.
* These measures do not prejudice more stringent national measures.
Conservation of Sea Trout and Salmon Stocks:
* Sea trout fishing is prohibited beyond four nautical miles from baselines in subdivisions 22-32.
* Bycatches of sea trout when fishing for salmon in subdivision 32 must not exceed 3% of the total catch.
* Fishing with longlines beyond four nautical miles from baselines is prohibited in subdivisions 22-31.
* These measures do not prejudice more stringent national measures.
Flexibility and Data Transmission:
* Regulation EC No. 847/96 applies to stocks subject to precautionary TACs and analytical TACs, except when year-to-year flexibility is used as per Regulation EU No. 1380/2013.
* Member States must use specified stock codes when transmitting catch and landing data to the Commission.
Amendments to Regulation EU 2022/109:
* Replaces fishing opportunities tables for hake and Norway pout with updated figures.
* Replaces the fishing opportunities table for capelin, marking opportunities as "To be established."
Entry into Force:
* The Regulation enters into force the day after publication.
* Applies from January 1, 2023, with exceptions: hake from January 1, 2022, Norway pout from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023, and capelin from October 15, 2022, to April 15, 2023.
Impact Analysis:
Member States:
* Impact: Required to implement and enforce the fishing opportunities and conservation measures outlined in the regulation.
* Action Required: Adjust national fishing quotas and regulations to align with the TACs, closures, and other provisions. Transmit catch and landing data to the Commission using the specified stock codes.
Union Fishing Vessels:
* Impact: Subject to the limitations and conditions on fishing opportunities, closures, and recreational fishing measures.
* Action Required: Comply with the TACs, quotas, gear restrictions, and spatial/temporal closures. Accurately record and report catches. Recreational fishers need to adhere to specimen limits and species-specific rules
European Commission:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring the implementation of the regulation and ensuring compliance by Member States.
* Action Required: Review data submissions from Member States, assess the effectiveness of the measures, and propose amendments as needed.
Greenlandic Authorities:
* Impact: Involved through the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement regarding capelin fishing opportunities.
* Action Required: Continue collaboration with the EU, Iceland and Norway on capelin stock management and quota setting. Notify the EU of available capelin quotas.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: Political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Baltic Sea: A marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, enclosed by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Council Regulation EU 2022/2090: Council Regulation fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2023 and amending Regulation EU 2022/109 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters.
Regulation EU No 1380/2013: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy.
Regulation EU 2016/1139: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and for the fisheries exploiting those stocks.
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea ICES: An intergovernmental marine science organization.
Gulf of Bothnia: The northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Sweden.
Greenland: An autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
REGULATIONS
COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2022/2090
of 27 October 2022
fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the
Baltic Sea for 2023 and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/109 as regards certain fishing opportunities
in other waters
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in particular Article 43(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(1) requires that conservation
measures be adopted taking into account available scientific, technical and economic advice, including, where
relevant, reports drawn up by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries and other advisory
bodies, advice from advisory councils set up for the relevant geographical areas of competence and joint
recommendations made by Member States.
(2) The Council is to adopt measures on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities, including certain conditions
functionally linked to those fishing opportunities, as appropriate. Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 provides that
fishing opportunities are to be allocated among Member States in such a way as to ensure the relative stability of
fishing activities of each Member State for each stock or fishery.
(3) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 provides that the objective of the Common Fisheries Policy is to achieve the
maximum sustainable yield (MSY) exploitation rate by 2015 where possible and, on a progressive, incremental
basis, at the latest by 2020 for all stocks. The objective of the transitional period until 2020 was to balance the
achievement of MSY for all stocks with the possible socioeconomic implications of the possible adjustments of
related fishing opportunities.
(4) The total allowable catches (TACs) should therefore be established, in accordance with Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013, on the basis of the available scientific advice, taking into account biological and socioeconomic
implications while ensuring fair treatment between fishing sectors and taking into account the opinions expressed
during consultations with stakeholders.
(1) 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).L 281/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
(5) Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2)establishes a multiannual plan for the
stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and for the fisheries exploiting those stocks. That plan aims to
ensure that exploitation of living marine biological resources restores and maintains populations of harvested
species above levels that can produce MSY. Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 provides that, for stocks subject to
specific multiannual plans, the fishing opportunities are to be fixed in accordance with the rules laid down in those
multiannual plans.
(6) In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1139, the fishing opportunities for stocks listed in Article 1
of that Regulation were to be fixed to achieve fishing mortality at MSY, expressed in ranges, as soon as possible and,
on a progressive, incremental basis, at the latest by 2020. The catch limits applicable in 2023 to the relevant stocks
in the Baltic Sea should therefore be established in line with the objectives of the multiannual plan established by that
Regulation.
(7) The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) published its annual stock advice for Baltic stocks on
31 May 2022, except for its advice for western Baltic herring, which was published on 30 June 2022. It indicates that
the biomass of western Baltic herring in ICES subdivisions 20 to 24 slightly increased but is only 59 % of the limit
reference point for the spawning stock biomass (B ), below which it is possible that reproductive capacity might be
lim
reduced. Furthermore, recruitment remains at historically low levels. ICES therefore published for the fifth
consecutive year a zero-catch advice for western Baltic herring. Pursuant to Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU)
2016/1139, all appropriate remedial measures should therefore be adopted to ensure a rapid return of the stock
concerned to levels above the level capable of producing MSY. Moreover, that provision requires further remedial
measures to be adopted. Therefore, in 2022, the directed fishery for western Baltic herring was closed and a very
low TAC was set for unavoidable by-catches of western Baltic herring to avoid the phenomenon of ‘choke species’.
However, targeting western Baltic herring was allowed for fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of
scientific investigations and carried out in full compliance with the conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation
(EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council(3), as well as for small-scale coastal fishers fishing
with certain passive gears. Given the ICES advice and the unchanged stock situation, it is appropriate to maintain
the level of fishing opportunities and the functionally linked remedial measures.
(8) As regards the eastern Baltic cod stock, since 2019 ICES has been able to base its precautionary advice on a more
data-rich assessment. ICES estimates that the biomass of the eastern Baltic cod stock continues to be below B and
lim
has hardly increased since 2021. ICES therefore published for the fourth consecutive year a zero-catch advice for
eastern Baltic cod. Since 2019, strict conservation measures have been adopted in the Union. Pursuant to Article
5(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1139, the targeted fishery for eastern Baltic cod was closed and a TAC for unavoidable
by-catches of eastern Baltic cod was set at a very low level to avoid the phenomenon of ‘choke species’. Moreover,
further remedial measures functionally linked to the fishing opportunities were adopted in the form of spawning
closures and the prohibition of recreational fisheries in the main distribution area. Given the ICES advice and the
unchanged stock situation, it is appropriate to maintain the level of fishing opportunities and the functionally
linked remedial measures.
(9) As regards the western Baltic cod stock, scientific estimates have indicated for several years that the spawning stock
biomass was below the reference point below which specific and appropriate management action is to be taken
(B ). Increasingly strict management measures have therefore been adopted in recent years. In 2021 ICES
trigger
decided to perform a more in-depth assessment which revealed that for more than 10 years the biomass of the
western Baltic cod stock had been mostly below B . Therefore, pursuant to Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU)
lim
2016/1139, the targeted fishery for western Baltic cod was closed and a very low TAC was set for unavoidable
by-catches of western Baltic cod to avoid the phenomenon of ‘choke species’. Moreover, further remedial measures
functionally linked to the fishing opportunities were adopted in the form of an extended spawning closure, which
also covers recreational fisheries, and the further reduction of the daily bag limit in recreational fisheries. In 2022
ICES revised the stock’s biomass downwards and, despite a slight increase last year, the biomass is estimated to be
(2) Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 establishing a multiannual plan for the
stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Council Regulation (EC)
No 2187/2005 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 (OJ L 191, 15.7.2016, p. 1).
(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).31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/3
less than 40 % of B . Because of slightly increased recruitment estimates and unclear additional mortality factors,
lim
which ICES is currently unable to include in its assessment model, the advice for the fishing mortality resulting in
MSY (F ) is to increase the total catches. However, ICES stressed that its short-term forecast is highly uncertain
MSY
and that, given the unclear additional mortality, it is likely that there is a 66 % probability for the stock’s biomass to
remain below B in 2024 if the fishing opportunities are set at the F point value. Furthermore, as in 2021, ICES
lim MSY
was not able to provide separate catch advice for commercial and recreational catches. Given the declining stock
situation and the uncertainty surrounding the advice for catches at the F point value, it is appropriate to take a
MSY
precautionary approach and to maintain the level of fishing opportunities and the functionally linked remedial
measures.
(10) In 2020 ICES estimated that the biomass of central Baltic herring had fallen below B , and in 2021 that it had
trigger
come close to B . In 2022 ICES estimated that the biomass had increased but still remained below B . The
lim trigger
stock relied on the 2019 year class only, and the estimation of its strength has varied substantially since 2020. It is
therefore appropriate to set the fishing opportunities in accordance with Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1139.
(11) The biomass of herring in the Gulf of Bothnia has been continuously decreasing since 2010. In 2019 ICES decided to
provide an advice based on the approach developed for data-limited stocks, due to strong retrospective bias in the
stock assessment. Following an in-depth analysis, ICES was again able to provide an MSY advice in 2021. The
updated advice for 2021 was to increase the fishing opportunities for 2021 substantially, based on the estimation
that the biomass was finally increasing. The ICES advice for 2022 was to slightly decrease fishing opportunities.
However, in the advice for 2023, ICES revised the stock’s biomass significantly downwards. According to ICES, this
smaller biomass is most probably due to the continuous decrease of the herring’s size. ICES estimates that the
stock’s biomass is now just above B . The only catch scenario advised by ICES that would keep the stock above
trigger
B in 2024 is the lowest point of the F range. Given the stock’s negative development and the need to avoid
trigger MSY
the stock falling below B , it is appropriate to set the fishing opportunities at the F lowest point.
trigger MSY
(12) According to the ICES advice on plaice, cod is by-caught in plaice fisheries. According to the ICES advice on sprat,
sprat is caught in a mixed fishery with herring and is a prey species for cod. It is appropriate to take those
multispecies interactions into account and to fix the fishing opportunities for plaice and sprat in the corresponding
lower F range.
MSY
(13) Regarding salmon in ICES subdivisions 22 to 31, ICES has stated for several years that the status of the river stocks
was very heterogeneous. In 2021, following an in-depth analysis, ICES advised that all commercial and recreational
catches in the main basin, which are inherently mixed fisheries catching salmon from healthy and weak river stocks,
should be stopped to protect the weak river stocks. ICES, however, considered that the existing directed fishery in the
coastal areas of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Åland Sea could continue during the salmon summer migration.
Therefore, a specific TAC was set for by-catches of salmon in those areas, with the exemption of fishing operations
conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific investigations and carried out in full compliance with the
conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241; and for coastal fisheries north of latitude 59° 30′ N
between 1 May and 31 August. Further remedial measures functionally linked to the fishing opportunities were also
adopted in the form of restrictions to the use of longlines and a daily bag limit in recreational fisheries. In 2022 ICES
carried over its advice from 2021. It is therefore appropriate to maintain the level of fishing opportunities and the
functionally linked remedial measures while clarifying that the recreational fisher should stop the fishing of salmon
for the remainder of the day after catching the first adipose fin-clipped salmon.
(14) In order to ensure the full use of coastal fishing opportunities, a limited inter-area flexibility for salmon between
ICES subdivisions 22 to 31 and ICES subdivision 32 was introduced in 2019. Given the unchanged fishing
opportunities for those two stocks, it is appropriate to maintain the current flexibility.
(15) Prohibiting fishing for sea trout beyond four nautical miles measured from the baselines and limiting by-catches of
sea trout to 3 % of the combined catch of sea trout and salmon have contributed to a large extent to substantially
reducing previously significant misreporting of catches in the salmon fishery, in particular as sea-trout catches. It is
therefore appropriate to maintain the relevant provision to maintain a low level of misreporting.L 281/4 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
(16) Measures on recreational fisheries of cod and salmon and measures for the conservation of the sea trout and salmon
stocks should be without prejudice to more stringent national measures under Articles 19 and 20 of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013.
(17) The use of the fishing opportunities set out in this Regulation is subject to Council Regulation (EC)
No 1224/2009(4), and in particular Article 33 thereof on the recording of catches and fishing effort and Article 34
thereof on the transmission of data on the exhaustion of fishing opportunities to the Commission. This Regulation
should therefore specify the codes relating to landings of stocks subject to this Regulation that Member States are to
use when sending data to the Commission.
(18) Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96(5)laid down additional conditions for the year-to-year management of TACs,
including, under its Articles 3 and 4, flexibility provisions for stocks subject to precautionary and analytical TACs.
Under Article 2 of that Regulation, when fixing the TACs, the Council is to decide to which stocks Articles 3 and 4
are not to apply, in particular on the basis of the biological status of the stocks. More recently, Article 15(9) of
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 laid down the year-to-year flexibility mechanism for all stocks that are subject to
the landing obligation. Therefore, to avoid excessive flexibility that would undermine the principle of rational and
responsible exploitation of living marine biological resources, hinder the achievement of the objectives of the
Common Fisheries Policy and cause the biological status of the stocks to deteriorate, it should be made explicit that
Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 apply to analytical TACs only where the year-to-year flexibility
provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 is not used.
(19) The biomass of the stock of eastern Baltic cod, western Baltic cod and western Baltic herring is below B and only
lim
by-catch, scientific fisheries and, in the case of western Baltic herring, certain small-scale coastal fisheries are
permitted in 2023. The Member States having a quota share of the relevant TAC have therefore undertaken not to
apply the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 to those stocks
in 2023 so that catches in 2023 do not exceed the TAC set for eastern Baltic cod, western Baltic herring and
western Baltic cod. Furthermore, south of latitude 59° 30′ N, the biomass of almost all salmon river stocks is below
the limit reference point for smolt production (R ) and only by-catch and scientific fisheries are permitted in 2023.
lim
The relevant Member States have therefore undertaken a similar commitment regarding year-to-year flexibility in
relation to main-basin salmon catches in 2023.
(20) Council Regulation (EU) 2022/109(6)fixes fishing opportunities for Norway pout until 31 October 2022in ICES
division 3a, United Kingdom and Union waters of subarea 4, and United Kingdom waters of 2a. The fishing period
for Norway pout is from 1 November to 31 October. To enable the start of the fishery on 1 November 2022, and
based on new scientific advice and following consultations with the United Kingdom, it is necessary to fix a
preliminary TAC for Norway pout in ICES division 3a, United Kingdom and Union waters of subarea 4, and United
Kingdom waters of ICES division 2a from 1 November 2022to 31 December 2022. This preliminary TAC should
be fixed in line with ICES advice published on 7 October 2022.
(21) The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Government
of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, of the other part, and the implementing Protocol thereto(7)provide
that the Union is to receive 7,7 % of the TAC for capelin (Mallotus villosus) to be fished in Greenland waters of ICES
subareas 5 and 14. On 7 October 2022, the Union received information from the Greenland authorities that
following the best available scientific advice and based on the agreement reached between Greenland, Iceland and
Norway on capelin, the Government of Greenland had fixed its quota. In accordance with the implementing
Protocol, Greenland would like to offer the Union 7 760tonnes of capelin. Pending the acceptance by the Union of
(4) Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the
rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC)
No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC)
No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC)
No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1).
(5) Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and
quotas (OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p. 3).
(6) Council Regulation (EU) 2022/109 of 27 January 2022 fixing for 2022 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of
fish stocks applicable in Union waters and for Union fishing vessels in certain non-Union waters (OJ L 21, 31.1.2022, p. 1).
(7) OJ L 175, 18.5.2021, p. 3.31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/5
the offer of capelin and the implementation of that offer in Union law, fishing opportunities for that stock in
Regulation (EU) 2022/109 should be marked ‘To be established’.
(22) Updated scientific advice for southern hake in ICES division 8c, subareas 9 and 10 and Union waters of CECAF
34.1.1 for 2022 was published by ICES on 12 October 2022. That updated scientific advice is MSY advice and is
based on a new assessment model developed by ICES during a benchmark for that stock held in February 2022. The
fishing opportunities for that stock for 2022, established by Regulation (EU) 2022/109, should be amended based
on that updated scientific advice, and the TAC be fixed in line with the highest value within the range of FMSY
(‘FMSY upper’), as southern hake is the most limiting species in the mixed fisheries.
(23) Regulation (EU) 2022/109 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(24) To avoid the interruption of fishing activities, the provisions of this Regulation relating to the Baltic Sea should apply
from 1 January 2023. The catch limits provided for in Regulation (EU) 2022/109 apply from 1 January 2022. The
provisions introduced by this Regulation concerning those catch limits should therefore also apply from 1 January
2022. However, this Regulation should apply to Norway pout in ICES division 3a, United Kingdom and Union
waters of ICES subarea 4, and United Kingdom waters of ICES division 2a from 1 November 2022until 31 October
2023as that is the fishing season of Norway pout. In view of the need to continue sustainable fishing activities and
to start the relevant fisheries on time for the opening of the fishing seasons, the provisions of this Regulation
concerning catch limits for capelin in Greenland waters of ICES subareas 5 and 14 should apply from 15 October
2022. Since the fishing opportunities concerned either have not yet been exhausted or will be increased by this
Regulation, the principles of legal certainty and protection of legitimate expectations are not affected by the
retroactive application of this Regulation. For reasons of urgency, this Regulation should enter into force
immediately after its publication,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
CHAPTER I
General provisions
Article 1
Subject matter
This Regulation fixes the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2023
and amends certain fishing opportunities in other waters fixed by Regulation (EU) 2022/109.
Article 2
Scope
1. This Regulation applies to Union fishing vessels operating in the Baltic Sea.
2. This Regulation also applies to recreational fisheries where they are expressly referred to in the relevant provisions.
Article 3
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 apply.L 281/6 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
In addition, the following definitions apply:
(1) ‘subdivision’ means an International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) subdivision of the Baltic Sea as
defined in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council(8);
(2) ‘total allowable catch’ (TAC) means the quantity of each stock that can be caught over the period of a year;
(3) ‘quota’ means a proportion of the TAC allocated to the Union, a Member State or a third country;
(4) ‘recreational fisheries’ means non-commercial fishing activities exploiting marine biological resources such as for
recreation, tourism or sport.
CHAPTER II
Fishing opportunities
Article 4
TACs and allocations
The TACs, quotas and conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in the Annex.
Article 5
Special provisions on allocation of fishing opportunities
The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States, as set out in this Regulation, shall be without prejudice to:
(a) exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(b) deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
(c) additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013;
(d) quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or transferred under Article 15(9) of
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(e) deductions made pursuant to Articles 105 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Article 6
Conditions for landing of catches and by-catches
The stocks of non-target species within the safe biological limits referred to in Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013 which qualify for the derogation from the obligation to count catches against the relevant quota are
identified in the relevant TAC tables in the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 7
Closures to protect cod spawning
1. It shall be prohibited to fish with any type of fishing gear in subdivisions 25 and 26 from 1 May to 31 August.
(8) Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch
statistics by Member States fishing in the north-east Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 70).31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/7
2. The prohibition laid down in paragraph 1 shall not apply in the following cases:
(a) fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific investigations, provided that those investigations
are carried out in full compliance with the conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241;
(b) Union fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length overall that fish with gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets,
with bottom set lines, longlines within four nautical miles measured from the baselines, drifting lines, handlines and
jigging equipment or similar passive gear, in areas where the water depth is less than 20 metres according to the
coordinates on the official sea chart issued by the competent national authorities;
(c) Union fishing vessels that fish in subdivision 25 for pelagic stocks for direct human consumption, using gears with a
mesh size of 45 mm or less, in areas where the water depth is less than 50 metres according to the coordinates on the
official sea chart issued by the competent national authorities, and whose landings are sorted.
3. It shall be prohibited to fish with any type of fishing gear in subdivisions 22 and 23 from 15 January to 31 March and
in subdivision 24 from 15 May to 15 August.
4. The prohibition laid down in paragraph 3 shall not apply in the following cases:
(a) fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific investigations, provided that those investigations
are carried out in full compliance with the conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241;
(b) Union fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length overall that fish with gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets,
with bottom set lines, longlines within four nautical miles measured from the baselines, drifting lines, handlines and
jigging equipment or similar passive gear, in areas where the water depth is less than 20 metres according to the
coordinates on the official sea chart issued by the competent national authorities;
(c) Union fishing vessels that fish in subdivision 24 for pelagic stocks for direct human consumption, using gears with a
mesh size of 45 mm or less, in areas where the water depth is less than 40 metres according to the coordinates on the
official sea chart issued by the competent national authorities, and whose landings are sorted;
(d) Union fishing vessels that fish with dredges for bivalve molluscs in subdivision 22, in areas where the water depth is less
than 20 metres according to the coordinates on the official sea chart issued by the competent national authorities.
5. Masters of fishing vessels as referred to in paragraph 2, point (b) or (c), and paragraph 4, point (b), (c) or (d), shall
ensure that their fishing activity can be monitored at any time by the control authorities of the competent Member State.
Article 8
Measures on recreational fisheries of cod in subdivisions 22 to 26
1. In recreational fisheries, no more than one specimen of cod may be retained per fisher per day in subdivisions 22
and 23, and in subdivision 24 within six nautical miles measured from the baselines. However, from 15 January to 31
March, recreational fisheries of cod shall be prohibited in those areas.
2. Recreational fisheries of cod shall be prohibited in subdivision 24 beyond six nautical miles measured from the
baselines, and in subdivisions 25 and 26.
3. This Article is without prejudice to more stringent national measures under Articles 19 and 20 of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013.
Article 9
Measures on recreational fisheries of salmon in subdivisions 22 to 31
1. Recreational fisheries of salmon shall be prohibited in subdivisions 22 to 31. Any specimen of salmon accidentally
caught shall be immediately released back into the sea.L 281/8 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, recreational fisheries of salmon shall be allowed under the following
cumulative conditions:
(a) no more than one specimen of adipose fin-clipped salmon may be caught and retained per fisher per day;
(b) after catching the first adipose fin-clipped salmon, the recreational fisher shall stop the fishing of salmon for the
remainder of the day;
(c) all specimens of any fish species retained shall be landed whole.
3. By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, north of latitude 59° 30′ N recreational fisheries of salmon shall be
allowed from 1 May to 31 August in areas within four nautical miles measured from the baselines.
4. This Article is without prejudice to more stringent national measures under Articles 19 and 20 of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013.
Article 10
Measures for the conservation of the sea trout and salmon stocks in subdivisions 22 to 32
1. Union fishing vessels shall not fish for sea trout beyond four nautical miles measured from the baselines in
subdivisions 22 to 32 from 1 January to 31 December 2023. When fishing for salmon beyond four nautical miles
measured from the baselines in subdivision 32, by-catches of sea trout shall not exceed 3 % of the total catch of salmon
and sea trout on board at any moment or landed after each fishing trip.
2. Fishing with longlines beyond four nautical miles measured from the baselines in subdivisions 22 to 31 shall be
prohibited.
3. This Article is without prejudice to more stringent national measures under Articles 19 and 20 of Regulation (EU)
No 1380/2013.
Article 11
Flexibility
1. Except where specified otherwise in the Annex to this Regulation, Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 applies to
stocks subject to precautionary TACs and Article 3(2) and (3) and Article 4 of that Regulation apply to stocks subject to an
analytical TAC.
2. Article 3(2) and (3) and Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 do not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-
year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Article 12
Data transmission
When Member States send data relating to quantities of stocks caught or landed to the Commission pursuant to Articles 33
and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, they shall use the stock codes set out in the Annex to this Regulation.31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/9
CHAPTER III
Final provisions
Article 13
Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2022/109
Regulation (EU) 2022/109 is amended as follows:
(1) In Annex IA, Part A, the fishing opportunities table for hake (Merluccius merluccius) in ICES division 8c, ICES subareas 9
and 10 and Union waters of CECAF 34.1.1 is replaced by the following:
‘Species: Hake Zone: 8c, 9 and 10; Union waters of
Merluccius merluccius CECAF 34.1.1
(HKE/8C3411)
Spain 9 021 Analytical TAC’
France 866
Portugal 4 209
Union 14 096
TAC 14 429
(2) In Annex IA, Part B, the fishing opportunities table for Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) in ICES division 3a, United
Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subarea 4 and United Kingdom waters of ICES division 2a is replaced by the
following:
‘Species: Norway pout and associated by-catches Zone: 3a; United Kingdom and Union
Trisopterus esmarkii waters of 4; United Kingdom waters
of 2a
(NOP/2A3A4.)
Year 2022 2023
Denmark 49 478 (1)(3) 24 727 (1)(6) Analytical TAC
Germany 9 (1)(2)(3) 5 (1)(2)(6) Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall
not apply.
Netherlands 36 (1)(2)(3) 18 (1)(2)(6)
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall
Union 49 524 (1)(3) 24 750 (1)(6) not apply.
United Kingdom 10 204 (2)(3) 5 250 (2)(6)
Norway 0 (4) 0 (4)
Faroe Islands 0 (5) 0 (5)
TAC 59 728 30 000
(1) Up to 5 % of the quota may consist of by-catches of haddock and whiting (OT2/*2A3A4). By-catches of haddock
and whiting counted against the quota pursuant to this provision and by-catches of species counted against the
quota pursuant to Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall, together, not exceed 9 % of the quota.
(2) Quota may be fished in United Kingdom and Union waters of 2a, 3a and 4 only.
(3) May only be fished from 1 November 2021to 31 October 2022.
(4) A sorting grid shall be used.L 281/10 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
(5) A sorting grid shall be used. This amount includes a maximum of 15 % of unavoidable by-catches
(NOP/*2A3A4), to be counted against this quota.
(6) May only be fished from 1 November 2022to 31 October 2023.’
(3) In Annex IB the fishing opportunities table for capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Greenland waters of ICES subareas 5 and 14
is replaced by the following:
‘Species: Capelin Zone: Greenland waters of 5 and 14
Mallotus villosus (CAP/514GRN)
Denmark To be established Analytical TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
Germany To be established
apply.
Sweden To be established Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
All Member States To be established (1)
Union To be established (2)(3)
Norway To be established (3)
TAC Not relevant
(1) Denmark, Germany and Sweden may access the “All Member States” quota only once they have exhausted their
own quota. However, Member States with more than 10 % of the Union quota shall not access the “All Member
States” quota at all. Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately (CAP/
514GRN_AMS).
(2) Fishing may start when the Union accepts an offer for such quotas from the Greenland authorities in the
framework of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union on the one hand,
and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark on the other hand and the implementing
Protocol thereto. Member States shall ensure that their catches do not exceed the quantity received from the
Greenland authorities, after deduction of quantities transferred to Norway.
(3) For a fishing period from 15 October 2022to 15 April 2023.’
Article 14
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2023.
By way of derogation from the second paragraph:
(a) Article 13, point (1), shall apply from 1 January 2022;
(b) Article 13, point (2), shall apply from 1 November 2022to 31 October 2023;
(c) Article 13, point (3), shall apply from 15 October 2022to 15 April 2023.31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/11
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 27 October 2022.
For the Council
The President
M. BEKL 281/12 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
ANNEX
TACs APPLICABLE TO UNION FISHING VESSELS IN AREAS WHERE TACs EXIST BY SPECIES AND BY AREA
The following tables set out the TACs and quotas (in tonnes live weight, except where otherwise specified) by stock, and
conditions functionally linked thereto.
The references to fishing zones are references to ICES zones, unless otherwise specified.
Fish stocks are referred to according to the alphabetical order of the scientific names of the species.
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following comparative table of scientific names and common names is provided:
Scientific name Alpha-3 code Common name
Clupea harengus HER Herring
Gadus morhua COD Cod
Pleuronectes platessa PLE Plaice
Salmo salar SAL Atlantic salmon
Sprattus sprattus SPR Sprat
Table 1
Species: Herring Zone: Subdivisions 30-31
Clupea harengus (HER/30/31.)
Finland 65 627 Analytical TAC
Sweden 14 420
Union 80 047
TAC 80 047
Table 2
Species: Herring Zone: Subdivisions 22-24
Clupea harengus (HER/3BC+24)
Denmark 110 (1) Analytical TAC
Germany 435 (1) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.
Finland 0 (1) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.
Poland 103 (1)
Sweden 140 (1)
Union 788 (1)
TAC 788 (1)
(1) Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific
investigations may be directed to herring provided that those investigations are carried out in full compliance with the
conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing this quota is permitted for Union fishing vessels of less than 12
meters length overall fishing with gillnets, entangling nets, handlines, pound nets or jigging equipment. Masters of
those fishing vessels shall ensure that their fishing activity can be monitored at any time by the control authorities of
the competent Member State.31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/13
Table 3
Species: Herring Zone: Union waters of subdivisions 25-27, 28.2, 29 and 32
Clupea harengus (HER/3D-R30)
Denmark 1 558 Analytical TAC
Germany 413
Estonia 7 957
Finland 15 531
Latvia 1 964
Lithuania 2 068
Poland 17 645
Sweden 23 686
Union 70 822
TAC Not relevant
Table 4
Species: Herring Zone: Subdivision 28.1
Clupea harengus (HER/03D.RG)
Estonia 21 078 Analytical TAC
Latvia 24 565 Article 6 of this Regulation applies.
Union 45 643
TAC 45 643
Table 5
Species: Cod Zone: Union waters of subdivisions 25-32
Gadus morhua (COD/3DX32.)
Denmark 137 (1) Precautionary TAC
Germany 54 (1) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 do not
apply.
Estonia 13 (1)
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.
Finland 10 (1)
Latvia 51 (1)
Lithuania 33 (1)
Poland 159 (1)
Sweden 138 (1)
Union 595 (1)
TAC Not relevant (1)
(1) Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific
investigations may be directed to cod provided that those investigations are carried out in full compliance with the
conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.L 281/14 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.10.2022
Table 6
Species: Cod Zone: Subdivisions 22-24
Gadus morhua (COD/3BC+24)
Denmark 214 (1) Analytical TAC
Germany 104 (1) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 do not apply.
Estonia 5 (1) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.
Finland 4 (1)
Latvia 18 (1)
Lithuania 11 (1)
Poland 57 (1)
Sweden 76 (1)
Union 489 (1)
TAC 489 (1)
(1) Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific
investigations may be directed to cod provided that those investigations are carried out in full compliance with the
conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.
Table 7
Species: Plaice Zone: Union waters of subdivisions 22-32
Pleuronectes platessa (PLE/3BCD-C)
Denmark 8 105 Analytical TAC
Germany 900 Article 6 of this Regulation applies.
Poland 1 697
Sweden 611
Union 11 313
TAC 11 313
Table 8
Species: Atlantic salmon Zone: Union waters of subdivisions 22-31
Salmo salar (SAL/3BCD-F)
Denmark 13 223 (1)(2) Analytical TAC
Germany 1 471 (1)(2) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 do not apply.
Estonia 1 344 (1)(2)(3) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 does not apply.
Finland 16 488 (1)(2)
Latvia 8 411 (1)(2)
Lithuania 989 (1)(2)
Poland 4 011 (1)(2)
Sweden 17 874 (1)(2)
Union 63 811 (1)(2)
TAC Not relevant
(1) Expressed by number of individual fish.31.10.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 281/15
(2) Exclusively for by-catches. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific
investigations may be directed to salmon provided that those investigations are carried out in full compliance with the
conditions set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.
By way of derogation from the first paragraph, fishing this quota is permitted for Union fishing vessels north to
latitude 59° 30′ N in areas within four nautical miles measured from the baselines during the period from 1 May to
31 August.
(3) Special condition: no more than 450 specimens of this quota may be fished in Union waters of subdivision 32
(SAL/*3D32)
Table 9
Species: Atlantic salmon Zone: Union waters of subdivision 32
Salmo salar (SAL/3D32.)
Estonia 969 (1) Precautionary TAC
Finland 8 486 (1)
Union 9 455 (1)
TAC Not relevant
(1) Expressed by number of individual fish.
Table 10
Species: Sprat Zone: Union waters of subdivisions 22-32
Sprattus sprattus (SPR/3BCD-C)
Denmark 22 107 Analytical TAC
Germany 14 006 Article 6 of this Regulation applies.
Estonia 25 671
Finland 11 573
Latvia 31 005
Lithuania 11 216
Poland 65 798
Sweden 42 738
Union 224 114
TAC Not relevant