Council Decision (EU) 2019/863Show full title

1. PRINCIPLES U.K.

In the framework of the NAFO, the Union shall:

a)

act in accordance with the objectives and principles pursued by the Union within the common fisheries policy (CFP), notably through the precautionary approach and the aims related to the maximum sustainable yield as laid down in Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, to promote the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and limiting environmental impacts of fishing activities, to avoid and reduce, as far as, possible unwanted catches, and gradually eliminate discards, and to minimise the impact of fishing activities on marine ecosystems and their habitats, as well as, through the promotion of economically viable and competitive Union fisheries, to provide a fair standard of living for those who depend on fishing activities and take account of the interests of consumers;

b)

work towards an appropriate involvement of stakeholders in the preparation phase for NAFO measures and ensure that measures adopted within the NAFO Commission are in accordance with the NAFO Convention;

c)

ensure that measures adopted within the NAFO Commission are consistent with international law, and in particular with the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1995 UN Agreement relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, the 1993 Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas and the 2009 Food and Agriculture Organization Port State Measures Agreement;

d)

promote positions consistent with the best practices of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in the same area;

e)

seek consistency and synergy with the policy that the Union is pursuing as part of its bilateral fisheries relations with third countries, and ensure coherence with its other policies notably in the field of external relations, employment, environment, trade, development, research and innovation;

f)

ensure that the Union's international commitments are respected;

g)

be in line with the Council Conclusions of 19 March 2012 on the Commission Communication on the external dimension of the common fisheries policy(1);

h)

aim to create a level playing field for the Union fleet within the NAFO regulatory area based on the same principles and standards as those applicable under Union law, and to promote the uniform implementation of those principles and standards;

i)

be in line with the Council conclusions(2) on the Joint communication by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission on International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of oceans (3) and promote measures to support and enhance the effectiveness of the NAFO and, where relevant, improve its governance and performance (in particular as regards science, compliance, transparency and decision-making) as a contribution to the sustainable management of oceans in all its dimensions;

j)

promote coordination between RFMOs and regional sea conventions (RSCs) and cooperation with global organisations, as applicable, within their mandates, where appropriate;

k)

promote cooperation mechanisms amongst non-tuna RFMOs similar to the so-called Kobe process for tuna RFMOs.

(1)

7087/12 REV 1 ADD 1 COR 1.

(2)

7348/1/17 REV 1 of 24.3.2017.

(3)

JOIN(2016) 49 final of 10.11.2016.