20.1.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 16/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 51/2006 of 22 December 2005 fixing for 2006 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy (1), and in particular Article 20 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (3, and in particular Article 2 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 423/2004 of 26 February 2004 establishing measures for the recovery of cod stocks (?), and in particular Articles 6 and & thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 811/2004 of 21 April 2004 establishing measures for the recovery of the Northern hake stock (¥, and in particular Article 5 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 requires the Council to adopt the measures necessary to ensure access to waters and resources and the sustainable pursuit of fishing activities taking account of available scientific advice and, in particular, the report prepared by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fish- eries (STECE). () OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59 ) OJL 115, 9.5.1996, p. 3 ¢) OJL70,9.32004,p. 8 (% OJ L 150, 30.4.2004, p. 1 A,_\ < T o - = Under Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, it is incumbent upon the Council, to establish the total allowable catches (TAC) by fishery or group of fisheries. Fishing opportunities should be allocated to Member States and third countries in accordance with the criteria laid down in Article 20 of that Regulation. In order to ensure effective management of the TACs and quotas, the specific conditions under which fishing operations occur should be established. The principles and certain procedures for fishery management need to be laid down at Community level, so that Member States can ensure the management of the vessels flying their flag. Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 lays down definitions of relevance for the allocation of fishing opportunities. In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 847/ 96 the stocks that are subject to the various measures referred to therein must be identified. In accordance with the procedure provided for in the agreements or protocols on fisheries relations, the Community has held consultations on fishing rights with Norway (°), the Faroe Islands (%) and Greenland (’) The Community is a contracting party to several regional fisheries organisations. Those fisheries organisations have recommended the setting of catch limitations and other conservation rules for certain species. Such recommen- dations should therefore be implemented by the Community. OJ L 226, 29.8.1980, p. 48. OJ L 226, 29.8.1980, p. 12. OJ L 29, 1.2.1985, p. 9.