19.5.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L137)25 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 14 May 2001 on a Community financial contribution towards certain expenditure to implement certain manage- ment measures on highly migratory fish (2001/382/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: 1) The European Community has been a Contracting Party to the International Convention for the conservation of Atlantic Tunas, hereinafter called ‘the ICCAT Conven- tion’ since 14 November 1997. The ICCAT Convention represents a framework for regional cooperation on the conservation and manage- ment of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas through the setting up of an International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, hereinafter called ICCAT’, and the adop- tion of recommendations on conservation and manage- ment in the convention area which will become binding on the Contracting Parties. At its 11th special meeting on 16 to 23 November 1998, ICCAT adopted a recommendation on the imposi- tion of a timefarea closure linked to the use of fish aggregating devices which became mandatory for the Contracting Parties on 21 June 1999. Council Regula- tion (EC) No 973/2001 of 14 May 2001 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species (3 incorpor- ates this recommendation into Community law. (') Opinion delivered on 28 February 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (%) See page 1 of this Official Journal. (4) In order to ensure compliance with the measure, provi- sion is made for an observer to remain on board each vessel during the period concerned. Detailed arrange- ments should be adopted therefore governing the assign- ment of observers, their tasks and the payment of the costs they incur. Member States should ensure that vessels flying their flag and operating in the ICCAT area comply with the conservation and management measures applicable in the area. It is necessary for the Member States to see to it therefore that the system of observers is applied. The Member States must take steps to ensure that obser- vers are placed on board vessels flying their flags and are reimbursed the costs arising from their assignment. In order to facilitate the application of the system of observers, provision should be made for a financial contribution from the Community towards the expendi- ture incurred in assigning observers during the period 1 November 2000 to 31 January 2001. The contribution would be conditional on the costs being taken over by the Member States once the system has become routine, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 1. Article 1 The costs arising from the assignment of observers deployed under the provisions of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 973/2001 shall be borne by the Member State which makes the appointment. 2. Member States may pass on these costs, in whole or in part, to the owners of the Community fishing vessels referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 973/2001.