6.8.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 260/1 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1421/2004 of 19 July 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36 and 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 (?) lays down provisions relating to the protection and development of aquatic resources and to the development of the Community aquaculture sector. Community legislation establishes the possibility of supplementary aid for scrapping when a recovery plan is applicable. In such a case, or where emergency measures adopted by the Commission or Member States are liable to have similar effects, aid for crew members who are forced to give up fishing owing to the plan or the measures should also be increased. The same should be applicable to crew members who lose their jobs, without the vessel being scrapped, owing to the adoption of a recovery plan or emergency measures. The Commission issued on 19 September 2002 a communication to the European Parliament and the Council on a strategy for the sustainable development (") Opinion delivered on 1 April 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (® OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p. 10. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 639/2004 (OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 9). of European aquaculture. The implementation of the strategy involves the need to amend Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999. The protection and development of aquatic resources do not exclusively concern measures taken at sea, but also, and in particular for anadromous and catadromous species in inland waters. In this respect, the rehabilitation and re-opening of migration routes and spawning areas is of particular importance. Any increase in production in excess of the likely evolution in demand should not be encouraged. Better marketing strategies have to be implemented, but reliable statistics on fish consumption are often lacking, as is economic analysis on markets and marketing of aqua- culture products. Harmful algae blooms are among the most serious threats for the future of shellfish farming in Europe. Sometimes a bloom can last for exceptionally long periods or occur during a period of concentrated sales and compensation for the shellfish farmers affected may be justified, except in the case of recurring phenomena. Enlarging the knowledge base of the industry encom- passes all the aspects of farming and is paramount for aquaculture. Due to the inadequacy of the funds allocated for this purpose, it is essential to further encourage applied research and technological development in aqua- culture, by expanding the opportunities for its public financing and promoting private initiative in this area. Aquaculture enterprises should be encouraged to improve their environmental performance and to develop voluntarily initiatives that go beyond the minimum legal requirements in terms of environmental protection.