A Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, hereinafter called ‘STECF’, is hereby established.
2005/629/EC: Commission Decision of 26 August 2005 establishing a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
2005/629/EC: Commission Decision of 26 August 2005 establishing a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the common fisheries policy(1), and in particular Article 33(1) thereof,
Whereas:
The implementation of Community policy for fisheries and aquaculture requires the assistance of highly qualified scientific personnel, particularly in the application of marine and fisheries biology, fishing technology, fisheries economics or similar disciplines, or in connection with the requirements of research and data collection in the fields of fishing and aquaculture.
This assistance should be provided by a permanent Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) set up within the Commission.
In accordance with Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, the Commission should consult the STECF at regular intervals on matters pertaining to the conservation and management of living aquatic resources, including biological, economic, environmental, social and technical considerations and it should take into account its advice when presenting proposals on fisheries management under that Regulation.
The advice of the STECF on matters relating to fisheries must be based on the principles of excellence, independence, impartiality and transparency.
It is essential that the STECF makes best use of external expertise from within and outside the Community as necessary to answer specific questions.
In view of the number and importance of the changes to be made, Commission Decision 93/619/EC of 19 November 1993 relating to the institution of a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries(2) should be repealed,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1 Establishment of the Committee
Article 2 Role of STECF
1.
The Commission shall at regular intervals, or whenever it is deemed necessary, request advice in the form of opinions from the STECF on issues referred to in Article 33(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002. The Commission may require the adoption of such an opinion within a defined period.
2.
The STECF may on its own initiative provide opinions to the Commission on issues referred to in Article 33(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002.
3.
The STECF shall draw up an annual report on:
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the situation as regards fishery resources relevant to the European Community;
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the economic implications of the situation of those fishery resources;
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the developments in fishing activities, with reference to biological, ecological, technical and economic factors;
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other economic factors affecting fisheries.
Article 3 Structure
1.
The STECF shall consist of not less than 30 members and not more than 35 members.
2.
The members of the STECF shall be scientific experts in the fields of marine biology, marine ecology, fisheries science, nature conservation, population dynamics, statistics, fishing gear technology, aquaculture, and the economics of fisheries and aquaculture.
Article 4 Appointment of the STECF members and constitution of a reserve list
1.
The Commission shall appoint the members of the STECF from a list of suitable candidates. This list shall be established following the publication of an open call for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the Commission’s website.
2.
The members of the STECF shall be appointed on the basis of their expertise and consistent with a geographical distribution that reflects the diversity of scientific issues and approaches within the Community.
3.
A list of members of the STECF shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and, together with a brief curriculum vitae of each member, shall be made available on the Commission's website.
4.
Candidates who are found to be suitable to serve in the STECF but not appointed shall be included on a reserve list. The reserve list may be used by the Commission to find suitable candidates to replace members that leave the STECF in accordance with Article 6(3).
5.
The reserve list shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall also be made available on the Commission's website.