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

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 OJ L 157, 20.6.2017, p. 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 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). 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 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). and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/909 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). . 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 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). 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. (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 Leyen

Annex

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 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). , 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 Name of surveyAcronymArea(s)Main target speciesRegional coordination group (RCG) governanceBaltic Sea (ICES areas 3aS, 3b-d)Baltic International Trawl SurveyBITS_Q13aS, 3b-dBLL COD DAB FLE HER PLE TURBaltic RCGBaltic International Trawl SurveyBITS_Q43aS, 3b-dBLL COD DAB FLE HER PLE TURBaltic International Acoustic Survey (autumn)BIAS3a, 3b-dHER SPRGulf of Riga Acoustic Herring SurveyGRAHS3dHERSprat Acoustic SurveySPRAS3dSPRRügen Herring Larvae SurveyRHLS_DEU3dHERFehmarn Juvenile Cod SurveyFEJUCS3c SD22COD North Sea and Eastern Arctic (ICES areas 1, 2, 3a, 4, 7d)Kattegat Cod SurveyCODS_Q43aCODNorth Sea and Eastern Arctic RCGInternational Bottom Trawl SurveyIBTS_Q13a, 4COD FLE GUG HAD HER NOP PLE RJC RJM RJN RJR SPR SYC TUR WHG WITInternational Bottom Trawl SurveyIBTS_Q33a, 4COD HAD HER NOP PLE POK RJC RJH RJM RJN RJR SPR SYC TUR WHG WITNorth Sea Beam Trawl SurveyBTS4b, 4c, 7dDAB PLE RJC RJE RJM SDV SOL SYC SYT TURDemersal Young Fish SurveyDYFSCoasts of NSSOLSole Net SurveySNS_NLD4b, 4cSOL TURNorth Sea Sandeels SurveyNSSS4a, 4bSANInternational Ecosystem Survey in the Nordic SeasASH2aHERMackerel Egg Survey (triennial)NSMEGS4MACHerring Larvae SurveyIHLS4, 7dHERNS Herring Acoustic SurveyNHAS3a, 4, 6aHER SPRNephrops UWTV surveyUWTV3-4, UWTV6, UWTV7, UWTV8, UWTV93a, 4a, 4bNEPNorth Atlantic (ICES areas 5-14 and NAFO areas)International Redfish Trawl and Acoustic Survey (triennial)REDTAS5a, 12, 14; NAFO SA 1-3REBNorth Sea and Eastern Arctic RCGFlemish Cap Groundfish SurveyFCGS3MAME COD GRE NOR RED ROU SHOGreenland Groundfish SurveyGGS14, NAFO SA1COD RED REG3LNO Groundfish SurveyPLATUXA_ESPNAFO 3LNOAME COD GRE NOR RED ROU THO WHI WIT YELWestern IBTS 4th quarter (including porcupine survey)IBTS_Q46a, 7, 8, 9aOCTs MON ANK ANF 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 WHGNorth Atlantic RCGWestern IBTS 1st quarterIBTS_Q16a, 7aOCTs COD CTL HAD HER HOM LEZ MAC NEP PLE RJC RJM RJN SDV SHO SYC WHGISBCBTS SeptemberISBCBTS7afgPLE RJC RJE RJH RJM SDV SOL SYCWestern Channel Beam Trawl SurveySWECOS_GBE7efghRJB RJC RJE RJH RJM SDV SOL SYCBlue Whiting SurveyIBWSS6, 7WHB

International Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Survey (triennial)MEGS6, 7, 8, 9aHOM MACSardine, Anchovy Horse Mackerel Acoustic SurveySAHMAS8, 9ANE BOC HOM PILSardine DEPM (triennial)SDEPM8c, 9aHOM PILSpawning/Pre-spawning Herring/Boarfish Acoustic SurveyWESPAS_IRL6a, 7a-gBOC HERBiomass of AnchovyBIOMAN8ANE PILNephrops UWTV SurveyUWTV11-13, UWTV14, UWTV15, UWTV16-17, UWTV19, UWTV20-22, UWTV306a, 7a, 7b, 7ghj, 9aNEP LDB GFB SHONephrops Survey Offshore Portugal (FU 28-29)NepS9aNEPCeltic Sea Herring Acoustic SurveyCSHAS_IRL6a, 7gjHERAcoustic Survey on Sardine and AnchovyECOCADIZ_ESP9aANESwept Area Trawl Survey for MackerelIESSNS2, 3aN, 4, 5, 14MAC HER WHBAcoustic Survey for Juvenile Anchovy in the Bay of BiscayJUVENA_ESP8a-dANEBay of Biscay Demersal Resources SurveyORHAGO_Q4_FRA8abSOLDeepwater Longline SurveyPALPRO_ESP8cGFBIrish Anglerfish and Megrim SurveyIAMS_IRL6a, 7 MON ANK ANF MEG LEZ LDB Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (industry-science survey)SIAMISS_GBS4a, 4b, 6a, 6bANF LEZWestern Channel Celtic Sea Pelagic SurveyPELTIC7dePIL ANE SPRHerring Acoustic SurveyISAS7aHERMediterranean Sea and Black SeaPan-Mediterranean Acoustic SurveyMEDIASGSA 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22ANE PILMediterranean and Black Sea RCGBottom Trawl Survey in Black SeaBTSBSGSA 29DGS TUR WHGPelagic Trawl Survey in Black SeaPTSBSGSA 29SPR International Bottom Trawl Survey in the MediterraneanMEDITSGSA 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25according to the target species list from a relevant MEDITS handbookBeam Trawl Survey (GSA 17)SOLEMONGSA 17CTC MTS SOLBluefin Tuna Larval SurveyTUNIBALGSA 5, 6 (Balearic Sea)ALB BFTLarge pelagic RCG 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 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). .
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.

1. For species under tuna regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), thresholds as set out in RFMO requirements shall apply.
2. 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 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). .
3. 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.
4. 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 %.
5. 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 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 Areas that should be covered for DCF purposesRegionSupra regionBaltic Sea (FAO area 27)ICES areas 3b-dBaltic SeaBaltic Sea; North Sea; Eastern Arctic; NAFO; extended North Western waters (ICES areas 5, 6 and 7) and extended South Western waters (ICES areas 10, 12 and 14)

Eastern Arctic, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, North Sea and Eastern Channel, North-East Atlantic and Western Channel (FAO area 27) ICES areas 1, 2, 3a, 4 and 7dNorth Sea and Eastern ArcticICES zones 5, 6, 7 (excluding 7d), 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14North-East AtlanticNorth-West Atlantic (FAO area 21)NAFO Convention areaOther regions where fisheries are operated outside EU waters by Community vessels and are under reporting obligations to Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) or regional fisheries bodies to which the Community is contracting party or observer.Eastern Central Atlantic (FAO area 34)CECAF Convention areaOther regionsWestern Central Atlantic (FAO area 31)WECAFC Convention areaSouth-East Atlantic (FAO area 47)SEAFO Convention areaSouth Pacific (FAO area 81 and 87)SPRFMO Convention areaAtlantic Ocean and adjacent seas (FAO 21, 27, 31, 37, 41, 47, 34, 48)ICCAT Convention areaIndian Ocean (FAO area 51 and 57)IOTC Convention areaIndian Ocean (FAO area 51 and 57)SIOFA Convention areaIndian Ocean (FAO area 51 and 57)CCSBT Convention areaWestern Central Pacific (FAO area 71)WCPFC Convention area Eastern Central Pacific (FAO area 77 and 87)IATTC Convention areaAntarctic and Southern Indian Ocean (FAO area 48, 58 and 88)CCAMLR Convention areaEU Outermost RegionsEU waters around Mayotte and la Réunion IslandsOutermost regionsEU waters around French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe islandsEU waters around Azores (FAO 27.10.a.2)Baltic Sea; North Sea; Eastern Arctic; NAFO; extended North Western waters (ICES areas 5, 6 and 7) and extended South Western waters (ICES areas 10, 12 and 14)EU waters around Madeira and Canary Islands (FAO 34.1.2)Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea (FAO area 37)GFCM GSA 1-29Mediterranean and Black SeaMediterranean Sea and Black Sea