No L 252/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 9. 81 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 4 September 1981 on the conclusion of the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (81/691/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commis- sion (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (2), Whereas the fragile ecological balance of the Antarctic Ocean requires international regulation of the management and conservation of the marine living resources thereof ; Whereas, to this end, an International Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Convention’, has been drawn up at the diplomatic conference held in Canberra in May 1980 in which the Community parti- cipated ; Whereas the Convention will enter into force on the 30th day following the date of deposit of the eighth instrument of ratification ; whereas, after the entry into force of the Convention, the Community may accede thereto ; Whereas, in order to contribute to the conservation of the resources in the area covered by the Convention and in which Community fishermen carry on their (1) OJ No C 317, 4. 12. 1980, p. 4. (3) O] No C 101, 4. 5. 1981, p. 116. activities, it is necessary for the Community to accede to the Convention, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources is hereby approved on behalf of the European Economic Community. The text of the Convention is annexed to this Deci- sion. Article 2 The President of the Council shall deposit the instru- ment of approval with the Australian Government, in accordance with Article XXVIII of the Convention (3). Article 3 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 4 September 1981. For the Council The President P. WALKER (®) The date of entry into force of the Convention with respect to the Community will be published in the Offi- cial Journal of the European Communities by the General Secretariat of the Council.