28.1.76 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 20/19 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 101/76 of 19 January 1976 laying down a common structural policy for the fishing industry THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the FEuropean Economic Community, and in particular Articles 7, 42, 43 and 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Whereas the establishment of a common organization of the market in fishery products must be supplemented by the establishment of a common structural policy for the fishing industry; Whereas sea fisheries form the most important part of the fishing industry as a whole; whereas they have their own social structure and fish under special = conditions; Whereas, subject to certain specific conditions concerning the flag or the registration of their ships, Community fishermen must have equal access to and use of fishing grounds in maritime waters coming under the sovereignty or within the jurisdiction of Member States; Whereas the Community must be able to adopt measures to safeguard the stocks of fish present in the waters in question; Whereas it is important that the fishing industry should develop along rational lines and that those who live by that industry should be assured of a fair standard of living; whereas, to that end, Member States should be authorized to grant financial aid so that these aims may be achieved in accordance with Community rules to be laid down; whereas, moreover, common action to achieve these aims may be financed by the Community, if it relates to the aims referred to in Article 39 (1) (a) of the Treaty; () OJ No C 7, 12. 1. 1976, p. 70. Whereas the establishment of a Standing Committee for the Fishing Industry will facilitate the development and implementation of a common structural policy for this industry by coordinating the policies of Member States and by ensuring constant cooperation between these States and the Commission;  whereas, moreover, a constant exchange of information between Member States and the Commission is essential for the effective coordination of these policies and must serve as a basis for any measures which may be adopted to improve the structures in question; whereas in particular the Commission must express its opinion on the projects and programmes envisaged by Member States in this connection; Whereas, in applying this Regulation, the derogations provided for in Articles 100 to 103 of the Act of Accession (2) should be taken into account, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Common rules shall be laid down for fishing in maritime waters and specific measures shall be adopted for appropriate action and the coordination of structural policies of Member States for the fishing industry to promote harmonious and balanced development of this industry within the general economy and to encourage rational use of the biological resources of the sea and of inland waters. Article 2 1. Rules applied by each Member State in respect of fishing in the maritime waters coming under its sovereignty or within its jurisdiction shall not lead to differences in treatment of other Member States. Member States shall ensure in particular equal conditions of access to and use of the fishing grounds (3) OJ No L 73,27.3.1972, p. 14.