Ministerial Decree on the consortia for the management and the protection of bivalve molluscs.

The management of bivalve molluscs is hereby permanently entrusted to the consortia which are established in the maritime districts specified by article 1, in accordance with Decree No. 44 of 1995 and Decree No. 515 of 1998. Such consortia shall be in charge of the protection of bivalve molluscs resources as well, upon approval of their plans by the Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Article 2 provides for the establishment of, on the one hand, the Permanent Conference for the National Coordination of Bivalve Molluscs Management and Protection and, on the other hand, the National Committee for Research for a Sustainable Bivalve Molluscs Fishing. Within sixty days from the entry into force of this Decree, each Consortium shall define an annual plan and submit it to the General Direction for Fisheries and Aquaculture. The plan shall provide for the measures specified in article 3, including repopulation and the total allowable catch.