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RESOLUTION I concerning the Management objectives for Baltic Salmon (adopted during the XXIst Session, 1995) 1. Further decrease of naturally produced smolts should not be allowed in order to prevent wild stocks from extinction. 2. The production of wild Salmon should gradually increase to attain at least 50% of the natural production capacity of every individual river before the year 2010, this in order to achieve a better balance between wild and reared Salmon. 3. The level of fishing should be maintained as high as possible. Only restrictions necessary to achieve the first two objectives should be carried out. RESOLUTION II concerning a Moratorium on Salmon fishing in all the rivers and river-mouth with wild Salmon stocks (adopted during the XXIst Session, 1995) Considering the need to restore the population of the wild Salmon stocks in the Baltic Sea, and taking into account that the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission has - for the fourth consecutive year - taken measures within the framework and the limits of the Gdansk Convention; Conscious of the socio-economic effects of these measures on fishermen who are dependent on salmon fishery; Considering that these measures have contributed to stopping further degradation of wild Salmon stocks, but that further measures have to be taken outside the area of competence of the Gdansk Convention; The International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission recommends to the Fishery Authorities from all the Contracting Parties: to declare a moratorium on salmon fishing in rivers and river-mouths with wild Salmon stocks. RESOLUTION III concerning the enforcement of the Cod TAC allocations in the Baltic Sea (adopted during the XXIst Session, 1995) The Heads of Delegation from the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission: Considering the uncertainties on the state of the Cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and the Belts caused by an interruption in the transmission of reliable information on catches in recent years; Confident that there is consensus on the fact that at present the Cod stocks are improving, and that TACs can be increased accordingly; Desirous to contribute to improve the quality and quantity of information necessary for the elaboration of scientific recommendations to the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission; Declare the need to respect the agreed TAC allocations in the respective economic zones, by enhanced quota management and control; Undertake in the case of overfishing to submit a report to the Commission on why this has occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent future overfishing of TAC allocations. RESOLUTION IV IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997-2010 (adopted during the Extraordinary Session, February 1997) For the purpose of this Action Plan the following definitions apply:
Coastal release Delayed release Enhancement release
Long Term Objective 2010
Medium and Short Term Strategies To protect wild Salmon populations
To promote fishing activities
To increase the science on Salmon
RESOLUTION V Project on the Restoration of the Baltic Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L.) (adopted during the Extraordinary Session February 1997) The International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission recognising its obligations on the development of the biological diversity in the Baltic Sea invites: IBSFC member governments to inform their fishermen on the project on the re-establishment of the Baltic Sturgeon on the Odra River asking the fishermen to help the project in particular to inform appropriate institutions of the coastal states about catches of any sturgeons in the Baltic Sea as well as to gather broodstock material of the native Baltic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L. RESOLUTION VI Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region (adopted during the Extraordinary Session, February 1997) The International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission has been appointed as the lead agency to develop an Agenda 21 for the Fishery sector of Baltic Sea Region. This contribution to an Agenda 21 is to be adopted by the 1997 Annual Meeting of the IBSFC and shall give input to the report of the Senior Officials Group (SOG) on an Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region. The International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission therefore has adopted the following resolution: The IBSFC establishes a Working Group to work by correspondence (and if needed during a meeting) and report to the September 1997 annual meeting of the IBSFC (8-12 September 1997). The Group shall develop a draft Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region covering the fish resources in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries impact on the Baltic Sea environment and work under the following Terms of References:
1. Describe the impact on Baltic Fish stock from:
2. Describe the IBSFC management plan on sustainable fisheries in the Baltic Sea
3. Describe the IBSFC management plan to preserve and develop biodiversity in the Baltic Sea
In carrying out its work the Group shall:
RESOLUTION VII Conscious of the need to further improve the management of the Baltic Cod the Parties agree on the necessity to develop a comprehensive medium and long term management strategy for Baltic Cod. The strategy should apply to the precautionary approach, while at the same time secure optimum and sustainable yield and stock size. For this purpose IBSFC shall establish a Working Group to meet in early 1998 and request ICES to provide appropriate biological limit reference points and other biological and precautionary reference points. RESOLUTION VIII Concerning the enforcement of the TACs in the Baltic Sea (adopted during the XXIIIrd Session, 1997) The Contracting Parties to the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission undertake in the case of overfishing to submit a report to the Commission on why this has occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent future overfishing of TAC allocations. RESOLUTION IX Concerning principles for Salmon enhancement activities and list of rivers where self-sustaining wild populations should exist by 2010 (adopted during the XXIVth Session, 1998). 1. General principles Enhancement activities or re-establishment programmes shall be carried out in accordance with the following guiding principles :
2. For the purpose of the IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997-2010, the following rivers are intended to have self-sustaining populations by 2010 : Finland Simojoki Finland/Sweden Tornionjoki/Torne �lv Sweden Kalix �lv Rane �lv Pite �lv Aby �lv Aby �lv Byske �lv Ricklean S�varan Ume/Vindealven Ore �lv Lodge �lv Eman Morrumsan Estonia Loobu Kunda Keila Vasalemma Latvia Salaca Vitrupe Peterupe Irbe Uzava Saka Latvia/Lithuania Barta/Bartuva Lithuania Zeimena Russian Federation Sista Voronka Kovashi This list of rivers can be amended by the Salmon Action Plan Surveillance Group in the light of further experience and improved research. Wherever possible, enhancement activities in these rivers should be discontinued no later than 2005. However, this may need to be modified when significant, unforeseen circumstances arise, such as unexpectedly high natural mortality (M74 etc.) or accidental degradation of natural habitats. RESOLUTION X (adopted by the 25th Session) The IBSFC agreed to implement a long term management plan for the two cod stocks, Eastern and Western Stocks, as defined by ICES, which is consistent with a precautionary approach and designed to ensure a rational exploitation pattern and provide for stable and high yield. The plan shall consist of the following elements: 1. Every effort shall be made to maintain a minimum level of Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) greater than 160 000 tonnes for the Eastern stock and 9 000 tonnes for the Western stock. 2. A long term management plan, by which annual quotas shall be set for the fishery on the Eastern stock, reflecting a fishing mortality rate of 0.6 and for the Western stock 1.0 for appropriate age groups as defined by ICES shall be implemented. 3.Should the SSB fall below a reference point of 240 000 tonnes for the Eastern Stock and 23 000 tonnes for the Western Stock, the fishing mortality rates referred to under paragraph 2, will be adapted in the light of scientific estimates of the conditions then prevailing, to ensure safe and rapid recovery of spawning stock biomasses to levels in excess of 240 000 tonnes and 23 000 tonnes respectively for the Eastern and Western Stocks. 4.For allocation purposes a combined TAC will be established; the Contracting Parties agree to further collaborate, inter alia, through bilateral agreements to ensure an efficient management of the cod stocks. 5. The exploitation pattern in the fisheries for cod and in particular the selectivity shall be improved in the light of new scientific advice from ICES with the objective to enhance the spawning biomass of cod and reduce discards. 6. Additional technical measures including, inter alia, further limitation on effort, restrictions on fishing days, closing of areas and / or seasons, obligation to change fishing ground in case of high abundance of juveniles, special reporting requirements, and other appropriate control measures should be considered. 7. The IBSFC shall, as appropriate, adjust management measures and elements of the plan on the basis of any new advice provided by ICES. A review of this arrangement shall take place no later than year 2003. RESOLUTION XI concerning suitable Salmon rearing and releasing methods (adopted by the 25th Session) Regardless of rearing facilities, the production of Salmon should follow the principles of maintaining genetic diversity, taking into account
RESOLUTION XII concerning wild
Salmon Index rivers and monitoring methods (adopted by the 25th Session) 1. The following Index rivers are appointed:
RESOLUTION XIII
ON THE LONG TERM MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE SPRAT STOCK IN THE BALTIC SEA The IBSFC agreed to implement a long term management plan for the Sprat stock which is consistent with a precautionary approach and designed to ensure a rational exploitation pattern and provide for stable and high yields. This plan shall consist of the following elements:
A review of this arrangement shall take place not later than in the year 2003.
Resolution XIV on management measures to optimize the harvesting of reared Salmon and to minimize genetic impact on wild Salmon
����������� Experiments and programmes on adipose fin clipping should be further developed as the best possibility to distinguish wild and reared Salmon;
Resolution XV on IBSFC Salmon Action Plan Reporting Format For the purpose of the monitoring of the Salmon Action Plan, the reporting according to the Baltic 21 Action Programme Fisheries and in the interest of a unified reporting scheme of IBSFC and HELCOM on Salmon, the Contracting Parties should report according to the format enclosed:
on� the definition of
terminal fishery areas
A terminal fishery area is
defined as a distinct coastal area, where the fishery is targeted on reared
Salmon, and where no or few wild Salmon occur or the fishing technique used
allows release of live wild Salmon. The catch of reared Salmon in these areas
should be based on long term releases. �
Terminal fishery should only be
allowed within geographically defined boarders between the coastline and the
line of four nautical miles outside the baseline. The borders for the terminal
fishery areas should be made according to longitude and latitude co-ordinate in
the WGS 84 system. �
The actual size of each terminal
fishery area has to be planned and decided on a national level in relation to
the occurrence of wild Salmon in the area. The possibilities for establishing a
terminal fishery area depends on the geographical distance to the nearest wild
Salmon river and the route and timing of the spawning migration of the wild
populations.
on
Recovery Plan for the Baltic Cod
1.�� For 2002 the fishing mortality for the Eastern
stock shall be����� reduced to below Fpa and shall not be greater than 0.55
within a global TAC of 76 000 tonnes; II 1. Extend the summer ban to the period from 1 June
to 31 August; 2. Establish spawning area closures in the Bornholm Deep; 3.� Establish
additional spawning area closures in the Gdansk Deep and the Gotland Deep in
the case of new scientific information; 4. �� Fix the minimum mesh size for gill nets to 110
mm to be implemented from 1 September 2002; A.���������� For vessels with an overall length of up
to and including 12 m limit the use of nets to a maximum length of 12km; B.���������� For vessels with an overall length of more than 12 m limit the use of nets to a maximum length of 24 km;
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Consider the establishment of
catch limits for commercially exploited stocks -
Increase the scientific
knowledge of eel and establish contact with the North West Atlantic Fishery
Commission on the exploitation pattern in other areas -
Protect estuaries, shallow
water areas and recruitment habitats for coastal water species |
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Improve the reporting of
landings by introducing an electronic network -
Landings for other purposes
than human consumption should be monitored and sampled to increase knowledge
of species composition -
Gradual introduction of
electronic positioning system on fishing vessels fishing in the Baltic Sea -
Organise an annual meeting of
fisheries control managers to exchange information, discuss problems,
formulate proposals and improve the network -
Exchange of fisheries
inspectors as observers on inspection vessels and at landing sites, as
appropriate |
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Improvement of management
decisions by providing socio-economic data to complement scientific
assessments -
Further research on
interactions between fish and marine mammals and marine birds and the
quantification of by-catches and discards of fish, sea birds and marine
mammals -
Further research on ecosystem
effects of fishing like possible negative effects of various fishing
techniques |
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Mapping the genetic status of
salmonid stocks -
Establish a common Red List
of endangered species and elaborate recovery plans -
Suggesting management
measures for sustainable use of exploited species |
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Protecting and restoring
spawning and nursery areas for commercial and endangered species in fresh
waters, where appropriate -
Constructing fish ladders at
dams and hydroelectric power stations, where appropriate |
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Co-ordinate research and
education to stimulate the contribution of aquaculture to food supply -
Develop national programmes
for balanced and genetically safe stocking -
Prevent or minimise water
pollution; the spreading of diseases and interactions between wild and reared
fish transgenetic impacts on wild stocks |
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Encourage more active
participation of the fishing industry in formulating strategies for the
fisheries sector -
Improve sanitary and hygienic
standards on board vessels, in landing sites and fish auctions and markets -
Increase and develop the
utilisation of fish for human consumption, ensuring a greater participation
of the fisheries sector in the contribution of food supplies to Baltic region -
Bringing fishing effort into
line with available resources, where appropriate through the restructuring of
national fishery fleet segments |
(adopted by the 28th Session, September 2002)
In conformity with the Salmon Action Plan and the IBSFC Resolution XVI and with the objectives of:
a) shifting the fishery from the mixed wild and reared population fishery to a fishery targeting mainly reared populations,
b) optimising the exploitation of reared Salmon,
the Contracting Parties adopt the following strategy on the establishment of terminal fishery, fishing possibilities for surplus reared Salmon and the selective harvesting of them.
The IBSFC will at its Annual Session establish the fishing possibilities for total surplus reared Salmon. The fishing possibilities shall be based on scientific advice from ICES on the available amount of non-exploited reared Salmon and shall be expressed in total number of specimen.
The proportion of the total fishing possibilities on surplus reared Salmon allocated to a Contracting Party will be equal to the average number of Salmon smolt released by the Contracting Party in the three preceding years divided by the average total number of Salmon smolt released by all Parties in that period.
Each Contracting Party shall notify the IBSFC and the other Contracting Parties every year not later than 30 November on the number of surplus reared Salmon within their allocation which they plan to utilise the following year.
The Salmon quota allocated to the respective Contracting Party under the IBSFC Salmon TACs shall be automatically reduced by the number of Salmon corresponding to 50 % of the surplus reared Salmon which the respective Contracting Party has notified the IBSFC to utilise.
Immediately after the TAC recommendations on Salmon have entered into force, the IBSFC shall inform Contracting Parties on the resulting number of Salmon each Contracting Party can take based on the above notification.
This yearly adjustment of number of Salmon available for each Contracting Party has no influence on the Salmon TAC allocation keys.
The fishing possibilities in terminal fisheries may only be utilised if the following conditions are fulfilled:
4.1 Catches may only be taken at terminal fisheries areas as identified and defined by the Contracting Parties in accordance with the IBSFC Resolution XVI and communicated to the IBSFC Secretariat and Contracting Parties.
4.2 Before the respective Contracting Party can initiate the terminal fishery it shall provide scientific information and demonstrate that this fishery can be conducted without catches of wild Salmon or if wild Salmon is caught, it can be released in an uninjured state and the additional mortality to which it is exposed during the catching process is insignificant. The scientific information will be reviewed by ICES.
4.3 The fishery on surplus reared Salmon can only be conducted if the respective Contracting Party participates in the comprehensive adipose fin clipping programme described in section 5. The comprehensive fin clipping programme will allow distinction between wild and reared Salmon and will provide evidence if the number of wild Salmon caught is insignificant.
4.4 In the surplus reared Salmon terminal fishery only Salmon marked in accordance with 4.3 or Salmon caught in terminal fisheries that in accordance with 4.3 have been proved to take only an insignificant number of wild Salmon is allowed to be landed.
4.5 The fishery shall be closely monitored, and the respective Contracting Party shall report to the IBSFC on the number of Salmon caught in each terminal fishery area and the composition of the catches.
4.6 Release activities of reared smolt and earlier Salmon life stages shall be closely monitored.
The Contracting Parties conducting fisheries on surplus reared Salmon are committed to participate in a comprehensive fin clipping programme to be co-ordinated by the IBSFC.
Under this programme all reared Salmon released in at least a three years period preferably starting in 2004 must be marked by cutting off the adipose fin.
The IBSFC and the Contracting Parties will explore possibilities of financial support for the implementation of this programme.
Resolution XX on the Management Plan for the Cod Stocks in the Baltic Sea
(adopted by the Extraordinary Session, June 2003)
IBSFC agrees to implement the following management plan for the two cod stocks, Eastern and Western Stocks, which is consistent with the precautionary approach, ensures sustainable exploitation and provides for stable and high yield. This management plan replaces IBSFC resolutions X and XVII.
The management targets are to maintain the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) at levels greater than 23,000 tonnes for the Western stock and 240,000 tonnes for the Eastern stock.
The Contracting Parties agree to implement two management areas, one for the Western cod stock and one for the Eastern cod stock.
a) IBSFC shall only adopt TACs that are predicted by ICES to generate an annual fishing mortality rate not exceeding 0.6 for the Eastern stock and 1.0 for the Western stock.
b) Where the SSB is estimated by ICES to be greater than or equal to the target levels defined in chapter 1, the TACs shall not exceed a level which, according to ICES, will result in the SSB being below the target levels at the end of the year of the application of the TACs.
Within the constraints laid down in paragraph 3a, the TACs shall not be set at levels which are more than 15% less or 15% greater than the TACs of the preceding year.
c) Where the SSB is estimated by ICES to be less than the target levels defined in chapter 1 but above 9,000 tonnes for the Western stock and 160,000 tonnes for the Eastern stock, the following rules shall apply:
i) the TAC shall be fixed at a level which, according to ICES, will result in an increase of at least 30% in the SSB or in a SSB greater than the target levels, defined in chapter 1, at the end of the year of the application of the TAC;
ii) where it will not be possible, according to ICES, to achieve the increase in the SSB indicated in paragraph 3a, the TAC shall be set at the lowest possible level.
Within the constraints laid down in paragraph 3a, the TACs shall not be set at levels, which are more than 15% less or 15% greater than the TACs of the preceding year.
d) Where the SSB is estimated by ICES to be less than 9,000 tonnes for the Western stock or 160,000 tonnes for the Eastern stock, the following rules shall apply:
i) the TAC shall be fixed at a level which, according to ICES, will result in the SSB being above these levels at the end of the year of the application of the TAC and will give an increase of at least 30% in the SSB;
ii) where it will not be possible, according to ICES, to increase the SSB to 9,000 tonnes for the Western stock or 160,000 tonnes for the Eastern stock within one year, the TAC shall be set at the lowest possible level.
a) IBSFC shall provide for consistency between gear selectivity and the minimum landing size for cod, in order to reduce discards and fishing mortality on juvenile cod.
b) The minimum landing size of 38 cm for cod shall be kept under regular review. In accordance with the development in the stocks and the selectivity in the fisheries, the minimum landing size shall be revised no later than 2005 with a view to adopting an increase to apply from 2006.
c) IBSFC shall, for all fisheries targeting cod, from 2003 keep under regular review the development in the fishing activities, including the impact of closed areas and seasons, and gear regulations in terms of control, conservation and sustainable exploitation objectives. On the basis of scientific advice and any review carried out, IBSFC shall adopt, where appropriate, adjustments to the fishery rules.
The Contracting Parties of IBSFC shall continue their co-operation on control and enforcement with the aim of establishing a comprehensive and efficient Control and Enforcement Scheme, which supports this management plan and ensures compliance with IBSFC recommendations and Fishery Rules.
This management plan shall be reviewed as necessary, on the basis on scientific information and advice, not later than 2006.
Resolution XXI on management areas for Herring
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
The Contracting Parties agreed to implement four management areas for Herring: Northern Area (subdivisions 30 and 31), Central Area (subdivisions 25-29+32, excluding Gulf of Riga), Gulf of Riga and Western Area (subdivisions 22-24).
The Contracting Parties further agreed that the allocation of fishing possibilities between the Contracting parties shall inter alia reflect the historical fishing possibilities, geographical fishing pattern and be based on the catch data used by ICES in the assessment of the Herring stocks.
Resolution XXII on mixed pelagic fisheries
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
The Contracting Parties recognize the conservation problems for the Central Baltic Herring stocks in sub-divisions 25-29 and 32 (excluding Gulf of Riga) arising from the by-catches of Herring (up to 35%) in mixed pelagic fisheries targeting Sprat.
The Contracting Parties agreed to implement measures to ensure that the species composition in mixed pelagic fisheries is sampled and that the species caught in these fisheries are accounted against the appropriate quotas.
The Parties will report on progress on this matter to ICES and the 30th session of IBSFC
Resolution XXIII on revision of the TAC for Cod
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
The Contracting Parties agreed that the TAC set for Cod for 2004 is to be considered as a preliminary TAC and shall be revised in the light of updated catch forecasts for the Cod stocks for 2004 based on information on catches of Cod in 2003 to be presented by ICES not later than 1 February 2004.
Based on a proposal for a recommendation on a revised TAC the Contracting Parties agreed to consider and vote on the proposal within two weeks after the proposal has been tabled.
Resolution XXIV on the closure of the Gotland Deep and Gdansk Deep
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
Pursuant to the advice of ICES, to be provided before 15.04.2004, on areas within the Gotland Deep and Gdansk Deep where the hydrological conditions allow for a successful Cod spawning in 2004, the Contracting Parties will consider closure of the said areas in order to protect Cod spawning in 2004.
Based on a proposal for a recommendation on closure of the Cod fishing in the areas identified by ICES, the Contracting Parties agree to consider and, if appropriate, vote on the recommendation within two weeks after it has been tabled.
Resolution XXV on an Inspection Scheme Monitoring Compliance with BACOMA
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
In compliance with Resolution XX on the Management Plan for Cod Stocks in the Baltic sea, the Contracting Parties adopt the following Specific Inspection Scheme Monitoring compliance with BACOMA.
Pursuant to the recommendation of the IBSFC Extraordinary Session held on 27 June 2003 on the adoption of the 110mm[1] Top Window Cod- end .BACOMA. measures for vessels fishing for cod with trawls and Danish seines to come into force on the 1st October 2003. However, it was agreed that Contracting Parties could introduce the new measures on the 1st September on the conclusion of the Cod Summer Ban. The present scheme of inspection and surveillance in port and at sea is based on the following elements.
All Coastal States shall develop co-ordinated program for the inspection of BACOMA. To this end they shall deploy adequate resources and agree on:
� The co-ordinated periods of inspection;
� The setting of bench marks for inspections of vessels;
� The inspection form to be used.
� The exchange of inspectors
(1) Inspections of the vessels in port shall verify:
� Compliance with gear requirements (Technical checks on square mesh panels, mesh size, cod- end circumference, twine thickness and other requirement);
� Compliance with gear carriage restrictions;
� Compliance with specific rules regarding catch composition;
� Logbook entries for the inspected and previous trips.
(1) Each Coastal State shall deploy adequate resources at sea to inspect trawlers with catches of cod operating in its waters. Each Coastal State shall set benchmarks for inspection of their fishing vessels with the objective of inspecting 5 % of all their flag vessels fishing with trawls for demersal species.
(2) Inspections conducted at sea shall verify:
� Compliance with gear requirements (Technical checks on square mesh panels, mesh size, cod end circumference, twine thickness and other requirement);
� Compliance with gear carriage restrictions;
� Compliance with specific rules regarding catch composition;
� Logbook entries for the inspected and previous trips (gear and catch composition).
(3) The results of inspections at sea shall be recorded on the prescribed inspection form.
Resolution XXVI on the improvement of control and enforcement of unreported catches in the Baltic Sea
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
The Contracting Parties expresses their deep concern on the unreported catches and underline the need to further enhance collaboration on control and enforcement.
A major effort will be required in order to address the difficulties of unreported catches and to ensure that the means of inspection and surveillance is available in the Baltic Sea in order to establish equal treatment. Enhanced inspection operations between national authorities will contribute to the credibility of inspection and surveillance activities.
In the current situation the Contracting Parties should undertake the commitment to adopt in the shortest time comprehensive and efficient measures to enhance the control and enforcement addressing the improvement of cod catch reporting and elimination of unauthorized landings.
The Contracting Parties therefore advocates an integrated strategy, i.e. control at sea, landings and transshipments, which should be the long-term basis for the establishment of sustainable fisheries in the Baltic Sea.
Resolution XXVII on the improvement of the state of wild Salmon populations in the Gulf of Finland
(adopted by the 29th Session, September 2003)
The Parties acknowledge that the state of the wild Salmon populations in the Gulf of Finland gives rise to great concern. They therefore declare their determination to make strong efforts, not least within the framework of the Salmon Action Plan Surveillance Group, to consider and elaborate measures, which are suitable for the protection of wild Salmon populations in the Gulf of Finland.
Resolution XXVIII
on the closure of the Gotland Deep and Gdansk Deep
(adopted during the 30th Session, September 2004)
Pursuant to the advice of ICES, to be provided before 15.04.2005, on areas within the Gotland Deep and Gdansk Deep where the hydrological conditions allow for a successful Cod spawning in 2005, the Contracting Parties will consider closure of the said areas in order to protect Cod spawning in 2005.
Based on a proposal for a recommendation on closure of the Cod fishing in the areas identified by ICES, the Contracting Parties agree to consider and, if appropriate, vote on the recommendation within two weeks after it has been tabled.
Resolution XXIX
on further improvement of control and enforcement
(adopted during the 30th Session, September 2004)
Against the background of the persistent difficulties of unreported catches of cod in the Baltic Sea, which give rise to serious concerns, the Contracting Parties are determined to take further steps to improve control and enforcement, in line with the objectives set out in IBSFC Resolution XXVI.
The Contracting Parties commit themselves to developing by the 1st of January 2005, comprehensive and efficient control and enforcement measures to address the elimination of unrecorded landings of cod and the improvement of catch reporting.
Such measures shall encompass, inter alia, the following:
Resolution XXX
on the quality of the ICES advice on eastern cod
(adopted during the 30th Session, September 2004)
The Contracting Parties acknowledge that the state of the eastern cod stock is a major concern that continues to require determined action based on scientific advice. In this context, the Parties express their great concern over the high level of uncertainty in the advice provided by ICES, which gives rise to severe difficulties in the management of this stock, which is of great importance for all Parties. The advice on the eastern cod submitted to the IBSFC for its 30th Session has not provided the Parties with a clear basis for action, which is very unfortunate.
Against this background, the Contracting Parties request that the Chairman of the IBSFC sends a letter to ICES, underlining the importance for the work in IBSFC of receiving high quality scientific advice, expressing the Commission.s commitment to cooperate with ICES to enhance the quality of the scientific advice on the cod stocks and in this context requesting ICES to give priority to the Baltic cod.
The Parties further agree to recommend their national scientific bodies that research on Baltic cod be enhanced.
Resolution XXXI
on the introduction of trawls using 90� turned diamond meshes
(adopted during the 30th Session, September 2004)
Taking note of ICES advice on the selective properties of trawls using 90� turned diamond meshes, the Contracting Parties agree to allow for this type of gear when fishing for cod.
The Contracting Parties recognized that before this type of trawl can be introduced into the IBSFC Fishery Rules a detailed specification of the trawl is needed. The Contracting Parties therefore agreed to develop a technical specification and to revert to this matter when such a specification has been developed.
[1] Notwithstanding that the Russian Federation implements the 120mm Top Window Cod-end BACOMA, it agrees to implement this Inspection Scheme.