No L 137/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 5. 83 COMMISSION DECISION of 9 March 1983 concerning aid for fuel granted by the Italian Government to Sicilian fishermen (Only the Italian text is authentic) (83/246/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 100/76 of 19 January 1976 on the common organization of the market in fishery products ('), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3443/80 (}), and in particular Article 26 thereof, and to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 (*), which replaced Regulation (EEC) No 100/76 with effect from 1 June 1982, and in particular Article 28 thereof, Having given notice, in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2), to the parties concerned to submit their comments, and having regard to these comments, Whereas the Region of Sicily has been granting aid for fuel in the fishing sector since 1973 ; whereas this aid was not notified to the Commission until December 1977 when it was extended for 1978 ; whereas, follow- ing the exceptional increase in the cost of energy products in late 1973 and early 1974, the Commission had authorized Member States to grant aids of this type in 1974 and 1975; Whereas the Commission authorized the granting of the Sicilian aid in 1978 ; whereas this decision was based on the fact that the market situation for fishery products in Sicily was such that this aid did not seem liable to affect trade between the Member States; Whereas, at the beginning of 1979, the Italian authori- ties notified the Commission of two Sicilian draft laws, one extending the aid for fuel for 1979, the other providing for the introduction of structural measures for the rationalization of fishing in Sicily ; whereas, in () O] No L 20, 28. 1. 1976, p. 1. () OJ No L 359, 31. 12. 1980, p. 13. () O] No L 379, 31. 12. 1981, p. 1. June 1979, on the basis of the latter draft law, the Commission authorized the extension of the aid for fuel for 1979, with the request that it be discontinued in the near future ; Whereas, in January 1980, the Commission authorized the extension of the aid for fuel envisaged by the Sici- lian authorities until 30 June 1980 ; whereas, however, the Commission added that, in view of the introduc- tion of the structural measures at the beginning of 1980 and developments with regard to competition, extension of the aid beyond 30 June was inappro- priate ; Whereas, in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty, the Italian Government notified the Commis- sion by letters dated 26 August 1980 and 10 December 1980 from its Permanent Representation to the Euro- pean Communities of Sicily’s intention to extend the aid for fuel in the fishing sector in force until 30 June 1980 for the second half of 1980 ; Whereas the aid amounted to Lit 100 for each kilo- gram of fuel used and the sum set aside for the purpose was Lit 5000 million; Whereas, in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty, the Italian Government notified the Commis- sion by letter dated 6 April 1981 from its Permanent Representation to the European Communities of its intention to extend this aid for fuel for 1981 ; Whereas the basic terms for granting the aid had not been changed but the rate had risen to Lit 150 per kilogram of fuel used and the sum set aside for this aid for 1981 was Lit 14 000 million ; Whereas, in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty, by letter dated 21 January 1982 from its Permanent Representation to the European Commu- nities, the Italian Government notified the intention of the Sicilian authorities to extend and increase in 1982 the regional aid for fuel granted in the fishing sector in 1981 ; Whereas the rate of aid was to rise from Lit 150 to Lit 250 per kilogram of fuel used and the sum of Lit 25 000 million was to be set aside for the purpose ;