This Regulation establishes a framework for the protection and sustainable use of the stock of European eel of the species Anguilla anguilla in Community waters, in coastal lagoons, in estuaries, and in rivers and communicating inland waters of Member States that flow into the seas in ICES areas III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX or into the Mediterranean Sea.

As regards the Black Sea and the river systems connected to it, the Commission shall take a Decision in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 30(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy5, after consultation of the Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries by 31 December 2007 on whether these waters constitute natural habitats for the European eel in accordance with Article 3 of this Regulation.

Measures under this Regulation shall be adopted and implemented without prejudice to the relevant provisions of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2000/60/EC.