31.12.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 3441 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2287/2003 of 19 December 2003 fixing for 2004 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Act of Accession of 2003 (!), in particular Article 24, Annexes VI, VIII, IX and XII thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy (?), and in particular Article 20 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic (%), and in particular Article 21 thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission, Whereas: (1)  Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 requires the Council to adopt the measures necessary to ensure access to waters and resources and the sustainable pursuit of fishing activities taking into account available scientific advice and, in particular, the report prepared by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries. (2)  Under Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, it is incumbent upon the Council, to establish the total allowable catches (TAC) by fishery or group of fisheries. Fishing opportunities should be allocated to Member States and third countries in accordance with the criteria laid down in Article 20 of that Regulation. () OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 1. () OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59. () OJ L 6, 10.1.1998, p. 1. Regulation as repealed by Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 (O] L 341, 31.12.1999, p. 1). (3) () C) ©) () ) ) (0 ( In order to ensure effective management of the TACs and quotas, the specific conditions under which fishing operations occur should be established. It is necessary to establish the principles and certain procedures of fishery management at Community level, so that Member States can ensure the management of the vessels flying their flag. In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (%), it is necessary to identify the stocks which are subject to the various measures fixed therein. In accordance with the procedure provided for in the agreements or protocols on fisheries relations, the Community has held consultations on fishing rights with Norway (°), the Faroe Islands (%), Greenland (), Iceland (3), Latvia (°), Lithuania ('°) and Estonia ('!). Pursuant to Article 124 of the 1994 Act of Accession, fisheries agreements concluded by Sweden and Finland with third countries are managed by the Community. In accordance with these agreements, the Community has held consultations with Poland. Pursuant to the 2003 Act of Accession, provisions on fishing opportunities for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are to be in accordance with the Accession Treaty from the date of accession. However, the same basis for allocation of fishing opportunities should be applied from 1 January 2004 until the date of accession. %) OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p. 3. %) O] L 226, 29.8.1980, p. 48. %) OJ L 226, 29.8.1980, p. 12. OJ L 29, 1.2.1985, p. 9. % OJ L 161, 2.7.1993, p. 1. %) OJ L 332, 20.12.1996, p. 1. 10) O] L 332, 20.12.1996, p. 6. ) OJ L 332, 20.12.1996, p. 16.