L 356/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 31.12.2002 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2341/2002 of 20 December 2002 fixing for 2003 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 (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture (!), and in particular Article 8(4) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2113/96 (%), and in particular Article 21 thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission, Whereas: (1)  Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 requires the Council to adopt, in the light of the available scientific advice and, in particular, of the report prepared by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, the measures necessary to ensure the rational and responsible exploitation of resources on a sustainable basis. (2)  Under the terms of Article 8(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92, it is incumbent upon the Council, in accordance with Article 4 of that Regulation, 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 Article 8(4)(ii) and (vi) of that Regulation. (3)  In order to ensure effective management of these TACs and quotas, the specific conditions under which fishing operations occur should be established. () O] L 389, 31.12.1992, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1181/98 (O] L 164, 9.6.1998, p. 1). (® OJ L 6,10.1.1998, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2742/1999 (OJ L 341, 31.12.1999, p. 1). It is necessary to establish the principles and certain procedures of fishery management at Community level, so that Member States can ensure the management of the vessels flying their flag. In accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year to year management of TACs and quotas (), it is necessary to indicate which stocks are subject to the various measures fixed therein. In accordance with the procedure provided for in the agreements or protocols on fisheries relations, the Community has held consultations on fishing rights with the Kingdom of Norway (%), the Government of Denmark and the Home government of the Faroe Islands (®) and the Home Rule Government of Greenland (%), the Republic of Iceland (7), the Republic of Latvia (%), the Republic of Lithuania (°) and the Republic of Estonia (19). Pursuant to Article 124 of the 1994 Act of Accession, fisheries agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland with third countries are managed by the Community. In accordance with these agreements, the Community has held consultation with the Republic of Poland. The Community is a Contracting Party to several regional fisheries organisations. These fisheries organisations have recommended the setting of catch limitations and other conservation rules for certain species, these recommendations should therefore be implemented by the Community. The execution of fishing opportunities should be in accordance with the Community legislation on the matter, and in particular with Council Regulation (EEC)