Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1713 of 24 September 2021 extending a derogation from Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 as regards the minimum distance from the coast and the minimum sea depth for boat seines fishing for sand eel (Gymnammodytes cicerelus and G. semisquamatus) and gobies (Aphia minuta and Crystalogobius linearis) in certain territorial waters of Spain (Catalonia)

Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 shall not apply in territorial waters of Spain adjacent to the coast of the Catalan region to boat seines fishing for sand eel (Gymnammodytes cicerelus and G. semisquamatus) and gobies (Aphia minuta and Crystalogobius linearis) provided those vessels:

(a) are registered in the maritime census managed by the Autonomous Community of Catalonia;

(b) have a track record in the fishery of more than 5 years and do not involve any further increase in the fishing effort deployed; and

(c) hold a fishing authorisation and operate under the management plan adopted by Spain in accordance with Article 19(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.

Article 2

Monitoring plan and reporting

Spain shall communicate to the Commission, by 2 July 2024, a report drawn up in accordance with the monitoring plan established in the Spanish management plan referred to in Article 1, point (c).

Article 3

Entry into force and period of application

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 3 July 2021 to 2 July 2024.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 24 September 2021.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula von der Leyen