19. 4. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 102/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 686/97 of 14 April 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (3), Whereas fishstocks have been overexploited in recent years and therefore significant efforts on surveillance and control of fishing activities are required to remedy this situation; Whereas there is a need to use cost-effective measures and to improve availability and accuracy of effort data, such as be introducing satellite based vessel monitoring systems; Whereas, pursuant to Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 (%), the Council can decide for a continuous position monitoring system to be established for Com- munity fishing vessels; Whereas experience gained in the application of pilot projects carried out by the Member States in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 897/94 of 22 April 1994 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 as regards pilot projects relating to continuous position monitoring of Community fishing vessels (*)) has demonstrated that several satellite-based vessel monitoring systems can be used to determine the position of fishing vessels; Whereas satellite-based continuous monitoring of certain categories of Community fishing vessels will improve effort management, surveillance of sensitive areas, cross- checking of logbooks, and monitoring of landings; () OJ No C 209, 20. 7. 1996, p. 7. () OJ No C 20, 20. 1. 1997. () OJ No L 261, 20. 10. 1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2489/96 (O] No L 338, 28. 12. 1996, . 12). ) ?)J No L 104, 23. 4. 1994, p. 18. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 376/96 (O] No L 51, 1. 3. 1996, p. 31). Whereas the satellite-based vessel monitoring system shall apply to Community fishing vessels operating in third country waters only in the case where the third country or countries in question have accepted the obligation to apply a satellite-based vessel monitoring system to their vessels operating in the waters of the Community; Whereas it is appropriate to except from the obligation to apply a satellite-based vessel monitoring system certain Community vessels operating exclusively in coastal and short-trip fisheries; Whereas the satellite-based vessel monitoring system shall ensure that communications from Community vessels are received by the flag State and the coastal Member State simultaneously; Whereas it is appropriate to provide for the possibility of alternative systems to the satellite-based vessel monitoring system; whereas a Member State requesting this possibility must prove that the alternative system is as effective as the satellite-based vessel monitoring system, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 shall be replaced by the following: ‘Article 3 1. Each Member State shall establish a satellite- based vessel monitoring system, hereinafter referred to as “VMS”, to monitor the position of Community fishing vessels. The VMS shall apply no later than 30 June 1998 to all Community fishing vessels exceeding 20 metres between perpendiculars or 24 metres overall length belonging to any one of the following categories: