9.2.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 34/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 97/70/EC of 11 December 1997 setting up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 84(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189c of the Treaty (3), (1) (") OJ (*) OJ Whereas Community action in the sector of maritime transport should aim at the improvement of maritime safety; Whereas the Torremolinos Protocol relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels 1977, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Torremolinos Protocol” was adopted on 2 April 1993; Whereas the enforcement of this Protocol at Community level for fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State or operating in the internal waters or territorial sea of a Member State or landing their catch in a port of a Member State will enhance the safety of such fishing vessels as various national legislations do not yet require the safety level established by the Protocol; whereas C 292, 4.10.1996, p. 29. C 66, 3.3.1997, p. 31. (®) Opinion of the European Parliament of 24 April 1997 (O] C 150, 19.5.1997, p. 30), Council Common Position of 30 June 1997 (OJ C 246, 12.8.1997, p. 1) and Decision of the Eur opean Parliament of 6 November 1997 (O] C 358, 24.11.1997). such a common safety level will, by harmonising the different and varying national safety requirements, ensure that competition will take place on an equal level for fishing vessels operating in the same area without compromising safety standards; Whereas, in view, in particular, of the internal market dimension, action at Community level is the most effective way to establish a common safety level for fishing vessels throughout the Community; Whereas a Council Directive is the appropriate legal instrument as it provides a framework for a uniform and compulsory application of the safety standards by Member States, while leaving to each Member State the choice of form and methods, that best fit its internal system; Whereas several important chapters of the Torremolinos Protocol apply only to fishing vessels of 45 metres in length and over; whereas limiting the application of the Protocol at Community level only to such vessels would create a safety gap between the latter and smaller fishing vessels between 24 and 45 metres in length, and would therefore distort competition; Whereas Article 3(4) of that Protocol states that each Party shall determine which of its regulations for which the length limit is greater than 24 metres should apply, wholly or in part, to a fishing vessel of 24 metres in length or over but less than the prescribed length limit and entitled to fly a flag of