18.7.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L2121 II (Non-legislative acts) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 779/2014 of 17 July 2014 fixing the fishing opportunities for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay for the 2014/15 fishing season THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1)  Article 43(3) of the Treaty provides that the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, is to adopt measures on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities. (2)  Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (") requires that conservation measures be adopted taking into account available scientific, technical and economic advice, including, where relevant, reports drawn up by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECE). (3) It is incumbent upon the Council to adopt measures on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities, including certain conditions functionally linked thereto, as appropriate. Fishing opportunities should be allocated to Member States in such a way as to ensure relative stability of fishing activities of each Member State for each fish stock or fishery and having due regard to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy established in Regu- lation (EU) No 1380/2013. (4)  The total allowable catch (TACs) should be established on the basis of available scientific advice, taking into account biological and socioeconomic aspects whilst ensuring fair treatment between fishing sectors. (5)  Preliminary advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) estimates that the Bay of Biscay anchovy 2014 spawning stock biomass, at the time of spawning, is 66 158 tonnes. In 2009, the Commis- sion presented a proposal for a Regulation establishing a long-term plan for the stock of anchovy in the Bay of Biscay and the fisheries exploiting that stock. On the basis of that proposal, it is appropriate to fix a TAC of 20 100 tonnes for the 2014/15 fishing season corresponding to an approximate increase of 18 % compared to the previous TAC. (6)  In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 (), it is necessary to establish to what extent the stock of anchovy in the Bay of Biscay is subject to the measures laid down in that Regulation. (") Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (O] L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22). (% Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (OJL115,9.5.1996,p. 3).