Council Regulation (EC) No. 894/97 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources.

This Regulation shall apply to the taking and landing of fishery resources occurring in all maritime waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member States. For each of the regions or geographical areas mentioned in Annex I, defines minimum mesh sizes, authorized size of fish, crustacean and mollusc sizes and the restrictions on catches of certain fish species in certain areas and periods, restrictions to the use of certain types of vessels and gear. This Regulation shall not apply to fishing operations conducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigations which are carried out with the permission and under the authority of the Member State concerned and after the Commission and the Member State or Member States in whose waters the research is carried out have been informed.
Where the conservation of fish, crustacean or mollusc stocks calls for immediate action, the Commission may, in addition to or by way of derogation from this Regulation, adopt any measures necessary in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18. In the case of strictly local stocks, or in the form of conditions or detailed arrangements designed to limit catches by technical measures, Member States may take measures for the conservation and management of stocks provided that such measures are compatible with Community law, and are in conformity with the common fisheries policy.