31.12.92 Official Journal of the European Communities "No L 389/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 5 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty estabhshmg the European Economic Commumty, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), ’ Having regard to the opinion of thc Economlc and Social Committee (3, Whereas the Community system for the conservation and management of fishery resources as provided for by Council Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 25 January 1983 establishing a Community system for the conservation and management of fishery resources (4) has proved to be an effective instrument; whereas, however, a number of stocks both in Community and non-Community waters have continued to decline and it is consequently necessary to improve and extend existing conservation measures; Whereas the objective should be to provide for rational and responsible exploitation of living aquatic resources and of aquaculture, while recognizing the interest of the fisheries _sector in its long-term development and its economic and social conditions and the interest of consumers taking into account the biological constraints with due respect for the marine eco-system; Whereas fishing should be managed with a view to establishing a balance between available and accessible resources and the relevant parameters likely to influence fishing mortality on a case-by-case basis; (1) O] No C 311, 27. 11. 1992, p. 7. (2) Opinion dehvcred on 15 December 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 24 November 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ No L 24, 27. 1. 1983, p. 1. Whereas, for the purposes of rational and responsible exploitation of resources, the selectivity of fishing methods and gear should be improved with a view to optimum utilization of biological potential and limitation of discards; Whereas, without prejudice to specific Community licensing systems, the introduction of a general Community system of administrative fishing licences attached to the " vessel and issued and managed by Member States may contribute to improve regulation of exploitation and transparency; Whereas there should be special provisions for inshore fishing; whereas to this end, by way of derogation from Council Regulation (EEC) No 101/76 of 19 January 1976 laying down a common structural policy for the fishing industry (5), Mémber States should be authorized to maintain until<31 December 2002 the present restrictions on access to waters under their sovereignty or jurisdiction within a maximum limit of 12 nautical miles, calculated - from their baselines, as they existed at the time Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 was adopted and, for the States that acceded to the Community after this date, at the time of their accession; Whereas the present arrangements concerning rules of access for fishing vessels of other Member States whose fishing activity is traditionally pursued in waters within that 12-mile limit should equally be renewed until 31 December 2002; Whereas before that date the Council should decide upon the provisions which could follow these restrictions and arrangements; Whereas special arrangements concerning fishing activity in one sensitive region should be maintained; {5) OJ No L 20, 28. 1. 1976, p. 19.