Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000, (EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005

Member States may allow the use of device in point (v) until the end of December 2022, provided that the technical attributes of this device result in the same or higher selectivity as the other gears specified in points 1.2. and 1.3.1, according to an assessment made by the STECF based on the information provided by the Member States no later than 1 May 2022. Such device shall comply with the requirements of Article 15(4) and shall be approved by the Commission.

(b) vessels operating with bottom trawls or seines with catches comprising more than 55 % of whiting or 55 % of anglerfish, hake or megrim combined, shall use one of the following gears: (i) 100 mm cod-end with a 100 mm squared mesh panel; (ii) 100mm T90 cod-end and extension.

1.4.Points 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 shall apply by way of derogation from point 1.2.

1.4.1. The following shall apply to fishing vessels operating with bottom trawls or seines in ICES divisions 6a and 5b, within the Union waters, East of 12°W (West of Scotland) in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) fisheries: (a) vessels shall use of a square mesh panel (positioning retained) of at least 300 mm for vessels deploying a cod-end mesh size less than 100 mm; for vessels below 12 m in length over all and/or with engine power of 200 kW or less, the panel overall length may be 2 m and the panel 200 mm; (b) vessels with catches comprising more than 30 % of Norway lobster shall use a square mesh panel (positioning retained) of at least 160 mm for vessels deploying a cod-end mesh size of 100-119 mm. By way of derogation from letters (a) and (b) of point 1.4.1, the use of an alternative fishing gear shall be permitted provided such gear results in at least the same or higher selectivity for cod, haddock and whiting, according to an assessment made by the STECF. Such gear shall comply with the requirements of Article 15(4) and shall be approved by the Commission.

1.4.2. The following shall apply to fishing vessels operating with bottom trawls or seines in ICES division 7a (Irish Sea): (a) vessels operating with bottom trawls or seines with a cod-end mesh size equal to or larger than 70 mm and smaller than 100 mm and with catches comprising more than 30% of Norway lobster shall use one of the following gears: (i) 300 mm square mesh panel; vessels below 12 meters in length over all may use a 200 mm squared mesh panel; (ii) Seltra panel; (iii) Sorting grid with 35 mm bar spacing; (iv) CEFAS Netgrid; (v) Flip-flap trawl; (b) vessels equal to or greater than 12 meters in length overall operating with bottom trawls or seines with catches comprising more than 10 % of haddock, cod and skates and rays combined, shall use 120 mm cod-end. By way of derogation from letters (a) and (b), the use of an alternative fishing gear shall be permitted provided such gears result in at least the same or higher selectivity for cod haddock and whiting. Such gears shall be assessed by the STECF and approved by the Commission and shall fulfil the criteria set by Article 15(4).

1.5.The catch percentages in points 1.3 and 1.4 shall be calculated as the proportion by live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip, according to Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and Article 27(2) of this Regulation.

1.6.Measures in points 1.3 to 1.5 shall apply until 31 December 2026.

2.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 120 mm (¹⁵).

2.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, and notwithstanding point 2.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the North Western waters provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod, haddock and saithe do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 100 mm (1)	Whole area	Directed fishing for flatfish or species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for whiting, dab and bass
At least 50 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for red mullet
(1) In division 7d, at least 90 mm shall apply.

3.This Part is without prejudice to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/2034 (¹⁶), for the fisheries covered by that Delegated Regulation.

PART C

Closed or restricted areas

From 1 January to 31 March, and from 1 October to 31 December, each year, it shall be prohibited to conduct any fishing activity using any towed gear or static nets in the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system:

— 55°25′ N, 7°07′ W

— 55°25′ N, 7°00′ W

— 55°18′ N, 6°50′ W

— 55°17′ N, 6°50′ W

— 55°17′ N, 6°52′ W

— 55°25′ N, 7°07 W.

2.1.From 1 February to 31 March each year, it shall be prohibited to conduct any fishing activity in the following ICES statistical rectangles: 30E4, 31E4, 32E3. This prohibition shall not apply within 6 nautical miles from the baseline.

2.2.It shall be permitted to conduct fishing activities using pots and creels within the specified areas and time periods, provided that:

(i) no fishing gear other than pots and creels are carried on board; and

(ii) by-catches of a species subject to the landing obligation are landed and counted against quotas.

2.3.Directed fishing for small pelagic species with towed gear with a mesh size less than 55 mm shall be permitted, provided that:

(i) no net of mesh size greater than or equal to 55 mm is carried on board; and

(ii) by-catches of a species subject to the landing obligation are landed and counted against quotas.

3.1.In the period from 14 February to 30 April each year it shall be prohibited to use any dermersal trawl, seine or similar towed net, any gillnet, entangling net or trammel net or any fishing gear incorporating hooks within that part of ICES division 7a enclosed by the east coast of Ireland and the east coast of Northern Ireland and straight lines sequentially joining the following geographical coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system:

— a point on the east coast of the Ards peninsula in Northern Ireland at 54°30′ N

— 54°30′ N, 04°50′ W

— 53°15′ N, 04°50′ W

— a point on the east coast of Ireland at 53°15′ N.

3.2.By way of derogation from point 1, within the area and time period referred to therein the use of demersal trawls shall be permitted provided such trawls are fitted with selective devices that have been assessed by STECF.

All fishing, except with longlines, shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 57°00′ N, 15°00′ W

— 57°00′ N, 14°00′ W

— 56°30′ N, 14°00′ W

— 56°30′ N, 15°00′ W

— 57°00′ N, 15°00′ W.

5.1.Directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and associated species (namely, cod, megrims, anglerfish, haddock, whiting, hake, plaice, pollack, saithe, skates and rays, common sole, tusk, blue ling, ling and spurdog) shall be prohibited from 1 May to 31 May each year within the geographical area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system:

— 52°27′ N, 12°19′ W

— 52°40′ N, 12°30′ W

— 52°47′ N, 12°39,60′ W

— 52°47′ N, 12°56′ W

— 52°13,5′ N, 13°53,83′ W

— 51°22′ N, 14°24′ W

— 51°22′ N, 14°03′ W

— 52°10′ N, 13°25′ W

— 52°32′ N, 13°07,50′ W

— 52°43′ N, 12°55′ W

— 52°43′ N, 12°43′ W

— 52°38,80′ N, 12°37′ W

— 52°27′ N, 12°23′ W

— 52°27′ N, 12°19′ W.

5.2.Transit through the Porcupine Bank while carrying on board the species referred to in point 5.1 shall be permitted in accordance with Article 50(3), (4) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

6.1.From 1 March to 31 May each year directed fishing for blue ling shall be prohibited in the areas of ICES division 6a enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

Edge of Scottish continental shelf

— 59°58′ N, 07°00′ W

— 59°55′ N, 06°47′ W

— 59°51′ N, 06°28′ W

— 59°45′ N, 06°38′ W

— 59°27′ N, 06°42′ W

— 59°22′ N, 06°47′ W

— 59°15′ N, 07°15′ W

— 59°07′ N, 07°31′ W

— 58°52′ N, 07°44′ W

— 58°44′ N, 08°11′ W

— 58°43′ N, 08°27′ W

— 58°28′ N, 09°16′ W

— 58°15′ N, 09°32′ W

— 58°15′ N, 09°45′ W

— 58°30′ N, 09°45′ W

— 59°30′ N, 07°00′ W

— 59°58′ N, 07°00′ W

Edge of Rosemary bank

— 60°00′ N, 11°00′ W

— 59°00′ N, 11°00′ W

— 59°00′ N, 09°00′ W

— 59°30′ N, 09°00′ W

— 59°30′ N, 10°00′ W

— 60°00′ N, 10°00′ W

— 60°00′ N, 11°00′ W

Not including the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 59°15′ N, 10°24′ W

— 59°10′ N, 10°22′ W

— 59°08′ N, 10°07′ W

— 59°11′ N, 09°59′ W

— 59°15′ N, 09°58′ W

— 59°22′ N, 10°02′ W

— 59°23′ N, 10°11′ W

— 59°20′ N, 10°19′ W

— 59°15′ N, 10°24′ W.

6.2.A by-catch of blue ling up to a threshold of 6 tonnes may be retained on board and landed. Once a vessel reaches this six-tonne threshold of blue ling:

(a) it shall immediately cease fishing and exit the area in which it is present;

(b) it may not re-enter either of the areas until its catch has been landed;

(c) it may not return to the sea any quantity of blue ling.

6.3.From 15 February to 15 April each year, it shall be prohibited to use bottom trawls, longlines and static nets within an area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 60°58.76′ N, 27°27.32′ W

— 60°56.02′ N, 27°31.16′ W

— 60°59.76′ N, 27°43.48′ W

— 61°03.00′ N, 27°39.41′ W

— 60°58.76′ N, 27°27.32′ W.

7.1.Directed fishing for mackerel with towed gear with a codend mesh size of less than 80 mm or with purse seines shall be prohibited, except where the weight of the mackerel does not exceed 15 % by live weight of the total quantities of mackerel and other marine organisms on board which have been caught, within the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— a point on the south coast of the United Kingdom at 02°00′ W

— 49° 30′ N, 2° 00′ W

— 49° 30′ N, 7° 00′ W

— 52° 00′ N, 7° 00′ W

— a point on the west coast of the United Kingdom at 52° 00′ N.

7.2.It shall be permitted to fish within the area defined in point 7.1 with:

— static nets and/or hand lines;

— demersal trawls, Danish seines or other similar towed nets, with a mesh size greater than 80 mm.

7.3.Vessels which are not equipped for fishing and to which mackerel are being transhipped shall be permitted within the area defined in point 7.1.

8.1.The use of any beam trawl of mesh size less than 100 mm shall be prohibited in ICES division 5b and ICES sub-area 6 north of latitude 56°N.

8.2.Vessels shall be prohibited from using any beam trawl inside the areas within 12 nautical miles of the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, measured from the baselines from which the territorial waters are measured.

8.3.Fishing with beam trawls within the specified area shall be permitted provided that:

— The engine power of the vessels does not exceed 221 Kw and their length does not exceed 24 m; and

— The beam length or aggregated beam length, measured as the sum of each beam, is no more than 9 m, or cannot be extended to a length greater than 9 m, except when directed fishing for common shrimp (Crangon crangon) with a codend mesh size of less than 31 mm.

9.1.In accordance with point (a) of Article 9(7) and by way of derogation from Part B, Point 2 of this Annex, it shall be permitted to use the following gear in waters with a charted depth of less than 600 m:

— Bottom set gillnets used for directed fishing for hake with a mesh size of at least 100 mm and no more than 100 meshes deep, where the total length of all nets deployed does not exceed 25 km per vessel and the maximum soak time is 24 hours.

— Entangling nets used for directed fishing for anglerfish with a mesh size of at least 250 mm and no more than 15 meshes deep, where the total length of all nets deployed does not exceed 100 km and the maximum soak time is 72 hours.

9.2.Directed fishing for deepwater sharks as listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 in charted depths of less than 600 m shall be prohibited. When accidentally caught, deepwater sharks classified as prohibited in this Regulation and other Union legislation shall be recorded, unharmed to the extent possible, and shall be promptly released. Deepwater sharks subject to catch limits shall be retained on board. Such catches shall be landed and counted against quotas. In situations where quota is not or not sufficiently available to the Member State concerned, the Commission may resort to Article 105(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. Where accidental catches of deepwater sharks by the vessels of any Member State exceed 10 tonnes then those vessels may no longer avail of the derogations set out in point 9.1.

10.1.It shall be prohibited for vessels to fish with bottom trawls and seines in the following zones:

(a) ICES divisions from 7f to 7k,

(b) in the area West of 5° W longitude in ICES division 7e and

(c) in ICES divisions 7b and 7c.

This prohibition shall not apply to vessels in case:

(i) they use a cod-end mesh size of at least 100 mm, or

(ii) their by-catches of cod do not exceed 1,5 %, as assessed by the STECF, when fishing outside the areas mentioned in point 1.3 of Part B.

By derogation from letter (i), when fishing vessels operate in the areas specified in point 10 (1) (c), they may use an alternative fishing gear with the same or higher selectivity as the cod-end mesh size of at least 100 mm for mixed demersal fisheries, according to an assessment by the STECF. Such gear shall comply with the requirements of Article 15(4) and shall be approved by the Commission.

10.2.Measures in point 10.1 shall apply until 31 December 2026.

11.1.Stock recovery area for the king scallop stock in Union waters of ICES division 7d in the eastern English Channel south of latitude 49°42′ N and up to the limit of the French territorial waters:

(a) Each year, from 15 May to 15 October, it shall be prohibited to conduct any king scallop fishing with dredges.

11.2.Closed season in the king scallop fishery in Union waters of ICES divisions 7d and 7e:

(a) Each year, from 15 May to 30 September, it shall be prohibited to conduct any king scallop fishing with dredges in Union waters of ICES division 7d (corresponding to the eastern English Channel), not covered by the stock recovery area referred to in point 11.1.

(b) Each year, from 15 May to 30 September it shall be prohibited to conduct any king scallop fishing with dredges within the boundaries of the North Finistère area in Union waters of ICES division 7e (corresponding to the western English Channel) and within a perimeter of one nautical mile to the northern boundary, within the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system: 48°54′23″ N, 5°00′00″ W 49°22′34.576″ N, 4°02′45.078″ W 49°22′54.465″ N, 3°49′14.415″ W 49°22′20″ N, 3°44′18.999″ W 49°23′51″ N, 3°36′54″ W 49°06′32.121″ N, 3°13′01.174″ W 49°06′03.993″ N, 3°23′27.255″ W 49°04′52.068″ N, 3°37′04.22″ W 48°59′49.782″ N, 3°57′07.907″ W 49°01′13.191″ N, 3°57′47.006″ W 48°43′55.255″ N, 4°20′24.785″ W 48°42′16.586″ N, 4°31′04.325″ W 48°39′34″ N, 4°36′25.999″ W 48°39′26.901″ N, 4°44′39.883″ W 48°36′17″ N, 4°49′32″ W 48°52′36″ N, 4°52′45″ W 48°49′07″ N, 4°59′26″ W

12.1. From 1 January to 30 June 2026, all fishing for red seabream in ICES subareas 6 and 7 shall be prohibited to vessels flying the French flag.

ANNEX VII

SOUTH WESTERN WATERS

PART A

Minimum conservation reference sizes

Species	Whole area
Cod (Gadus morhua)	35 cm
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)	30 cm
Saithe (Pollachius virens)	35 cm
Pollack (Pollachius pollachius)	30 cm
Hake (Merluccius merluccius)	27 cm
Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.)	20 cm
Sole (Solea spp.)	24 cm
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)	27 cm
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)	27 cm
Ling (Molva molva)	63 cm
Blue ling (Molva dypterygia)	70 cm
Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)	Total length 70 mm, Carapace length 20 mm
Norway Lobster tails	37 mm
Mackerel (Scomber spp.)	20 cm (*2)
Herring (Clupea harengus)	20 cm (*2)
Horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.)	15 cm (1) (*2) (7)
Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)	12 cm or 90 individuals per kg (2) (*2)
Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)	36 cm
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus)	11 cm (*2)
Red seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)	36 cm (1) (2)
Lobster (Hommarus gammarus)	87 mm
Spinous spider crab (Maja squinado)	120 mm
Queen scallop (Chlamys spp.)	40 mm
Grooved carpetshell (Ruditapes decussatus)	40 mm
Carpetshell (Venerupis pullastra)	38 mm
Short-necked clam (Venerupis philippinarum)	35 mm (*3)
Clam (Venus verrucosa)	40 mm
Hard clam (Callista chione)	6 cm
Razor clam (Ensis spp.)	10 cm
Surf clams (Spisula solida)	25 mm
Donax clams (Donax spp.)	25 mm
Bean solen (Pharus legumen)	65 mm
Whelk (Buccinum undatum.)	45 mm
Octopus (Octopus vulgaris)	750 g (3)
Crawfish (Palinurus spp.)	95 mm
Deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris)	22 mm (carapace length)
Edible crab (Cancer pagurus)	140 mm (4) (*1)
Scallop (Pecten maximus)	100 mm
(1) No minimum conservation reference size shall apply to horse mackerel (Trachurus pictaratus) caught in waters adjacent to the Azores islands and under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Portugal. (2) In ICES sub-area 9 and CECAF area 34.1.2 a minimum conservation reference size of 9 cm shall apply. (3) In all waters in that part of the eastern central Atlantic comprising divisions 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.1.3 and sub-area 34.2.0 of fishing zone 34 of the CECAF region, a gutted weight of 450 g shall apply. (4) In Union waters in ICES sub-areas 8 and 9 a minimum conservation reference size of 130 mm shall apply. (5) For edible crabs caught in pots or creels, a maximum of 1 % by weight of the total catch of edible crab may consist of detached claws. For edible crabs caught with any other fishing gear, a maximum of 75 kg of detached crab claws may be landed. (6) By way of derogation from Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the minimum conservation reference sizes of sardine, anchovy, herring, horse mackerel and mackerel shall not apply within a limit of 10 % by live weight of the total catches retained on board of each of those species. The percentage of sardine, anchovy, herring, horse mackerel or mackerel below the minimum conservation reference size shall be calculated as the proportion by live weight of all marine organisms on board after sorting or on landing. The percentage may be calculated on the basis of one or more representative samples. The limit of 10 % shall not be exceeded during transhipment, landing, transportation, storage, display or sale. (7) The minimum conservation reference size for horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.) caught in ICES division 8c and ICES subarea 9 shall be 12 cm for 5 % of the respective quotas of Spain and Portugal in those areas. Within that limit of 5 %, in the xávega artisanal beach sein fishery in ICES division 9a, 1 % of the quota of Portugal may be caught with the size below 12 cm. For the purposes of the control of that quantity, the conversion factor to be applied to the weight of the catches shall be 1,20. These provisions shall not apply for catches subject to the landing obligation. (1) This minimum conservation reference size shall apply to ICES subarea 8 until 31 December 2026. The minimum conservation reference size of 33 cm shall apply to ICES subareas 9 and 10 (Union waters) and CECAF zones 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2.0 (Union waters). (2) In the absence of new rules adopted before 31 December 2026, as of 1 January 2027 the applicable minimum conservation reference size shall be 33 cm. (*3) A minimum conservation reference size of 32 mm shall apply to the Arcachon Basin, Statistical Rectangle 18E8 in ICES subarea 8.

1.The minimum conservation reference sizes specified in this Part for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), saithe (Pollachius virens), pollack (Pollachius pollachius), hake (Merluccius merluccius), megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.), sole (Solea spp.), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), whiting (Merlangius merlangus), ling (Molva molva), blue ling (Molva dipterygia), mackerel (Scomber spp.), herring (Clupea harengus), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) shall apply to recreational fisheries in the South Western Waters. However, the following minimum conservation reference sizes shall apply in ICES subarea 8 to the following species caught in recreational fisheries:

Cod (Gadus morhua)	42 cm
Red seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)	40 cm
European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)	42 cm

PART B

Mesh sizes

1.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 70 mm (¹⁷), (¹⁸), or at least 55 mm in ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W.

1.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation and notwithstanding point 1.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for South Western waters provided that:

(i) the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of hake do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip; or

(ii) other selectivity modifications are used which have been assessed by STECF upon request of one or more Member States and approved by the Commission. Those selectivity modifications shall result in the same or better selectivity characteristics for hake as that of 70 mm, or 55 mm in ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W respectively.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 55mm	Whole area excluding ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W	Directed fishing for species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for red sea bream Directed fishing for mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting with bottom trawls
At least 35mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for wedge sole
At least 55 mm	ICES division 9a west of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W	Directed fishing for crustaceans
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for shrimps (Palaemon serratus, Crangon crangon), and crab (Polybius henslowi)
Less than 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for sandeel

2.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 100 mm (¹⁹), or at least 80 mm in ICES division 8c and ICES sub-area 9.

2.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, and notwithstanding point 2.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the South Western waters provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of hake do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 80 mm	Whole area except ICES division 8c and ICES sub-area 9	Directed fishing for sea bass, whiting, turbot, flounder and pollack
At least 60 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 50 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species (1) which are not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 40 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for red mullet, shrimps (Penaeus spp.), mantis shrimp, wedge sole and wrasse
(1) A mesh size of less than 40 mm may be used for sardines.

PART C

Closed or restricted areas

Fishing with any trawl, Danish seine or similar towed net shall be prohibited within the geographical areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

(a) from 1 October to 31 January in the following year: — 43°46,5′ N, 07°54,4′ W — 44°01,5′ N, 07°54,4′ W — 43°25,0′ N, 09°12,0′ W — 43°10,0′ N, 09°12,0′ W

(b) from 1 December to the last day of February in the following year: — a point on the west coast of Portugal at 37°50′ N — 37°50′ N, 09°08′ W — 37°00′ N, 09°07′ W — a point on the west coast of Portugal at 37°00′ N

2.1.Directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) with any bottom trawl, Danish seine or similar towed net or with creels shall be prohibited, within the geographical areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

(a) from 1 June to 31 August: — 42°23′ N, 08°57′ W — 42°00′ N, 08°57′ W — 42°00′ N, 09°14′ W — 42°04′ N, 09°14′ W — 42°09′ N, 09°09′ W — 42°12′ N, 09°09′ W — 42°23′ N, 09°15′ W — 42°23′ N, 08°57′ W

(b) from 1 May to 31 August: — 37°45′ N, 09°00′ W — 38°10′ N, 09°00′ W — 38°10′ N, 09°15′ W — 37°45′ N, 09°20′ W

2.2.It shall be permitted to fish with bottom trawls or similar towed nets or creels in the geographical areas and during the period as described in point 2.1(b) provided that all by-catches of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) are landed and counted against quotas.

2.3.Directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in the geographical areas and outside the periods referred to in point 2.1, shall be prohibited. By-catches of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvgicus) shall be landed and counted against quotas.

3.1.Directed fishing for anchovy using pelagic trawls in ICES division 8c shall be prohibited.

3.2.The carrying on board of pelagic trawls and purse seines simultaneously within ICES division 8c shall be prohibited.

4.1.In accordance with point (a) of Article 9(7) and by way of derogation from Part B, Point 2 of this Annex, it shall be permitted to use the following gear in waters with a charted depth of less than 600 m:

— Bottom set gillnets used for directed fishing for hake of a mesh size of at least 80 mm in ICES division 8c and ICES sub-area 9 and 100 mm in all remaining areas and no more than 100 meshes deep, where the total length of all nets deployed does not exceed 25 km per vessel and the maximum soak time is 24 hours.

— Entangling nets used for directed fishing for anglerfish of a mesh size of at least 250 mm and no more than 15 meshes deep, where the total length of all nets deployed does not exceed 100 km and the maximum soak time is 72 hours.

— Trammel nets in ICES sub-area 9 used for directed fishing for anglerfish of a mesh size of at least 220 mm and no more than 30 meshes deep, where the total length of nets deployed does not exceed 20 km per vessel and the maximum soak time is 72 hours.

4.2.Directed fishing for deepwater sharks as listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 in charted depths of less than 600 m shall be prohibited. When accidentally caught, deepwater sharks classified as prohibited in this Regulation and other Union legislation shall be recorded, unharmed to the extent possible, and shall be promptly released. Deepwater sharks subject to catch limits shall be retained on board. Such catches shall be landed and counted against quotas. In situations where quota is not or not sufficiently available to the Member State concerned, the Commission may resort to Article 105(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. Where accidental catches of deepwater sharks by the vessels of any Member State exceed 10 tonnes then those vessels may no longer avail of the derogations set out in point 4.1.

4.3.Conditions for fisheries using certain towed gear authorised in the Bay of Biscay. By way of derogation from the provisions laid down in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 494/2002 establishing additional technical measures for the recovery of the stock of hake in ICES sub-areas 3-7 and ICES Divisions 8a, 8b 8d and 8e, it shall be permitted to conduct fishing activity using trawls, Danish seines and similar gear, with the exception of beam trawls, with a mesh size range of 70-99 mm in the area defined in point (b) of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 494/2002 if the gear is fitted with a 100 mm square mesh panel.

5.1. From 1 February to 30 September each year, fishing with bottom set longlines (LLS) and bottom trawls (OTB) in the western area of the Cantabrian Sea, opposite to Asturias and Galicia, shall be prohibited within the geographical areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: — 43°47'00'' N, 005°15'00'' W — 43°47'00'' N, 005°12'00'' W — 43°43'00'' N, 005°12'00'' W — 43°43'00'' N, 005°15'00'' W — 43°55'00'' N, 006°46'00'' W — 43°55'00'' N, 006°37'00'' W — 43°53'00'' N, 006°46'00'' W — 43°53'00'' N, 006°37'00'' W — 44°00'49'' N, 007°01'12'' W — 44°00'49'' N, 006°57'26'' W — 43°58'32'' N, 006°57'26'' W — 43°58'32'' N, 007°01'12'' W — 44°02'48'' N, 007°13'49'' W — 44°02'48'' N, 007°10’03’’W — 44°00'15'' N, 007°10'03'' W — 44°00'15'' N, 007°13'49'' W — 44°10'00'' N, 008°18'00'' W — 44°10'00'' N, 008°14'00'' W — 44°07'00'' N, 008°14'00'' W — 44°07'00'' N, 008°18'00'' W — 43°34'00'' N, 004°44'00'' W — 43°34'00'' N, 004°39'00'' W — 43°32'00'' N, 004°39'00'' W — 43°32'00'' N, 004°44'00'' W — 44°07'00'' N, 007°50'00'' W — 44°07'00'' N, 007°45'00'' W — 44°05'00'' N, 007°45'00'' W — 44°05'00'' N, 007°50'00'' W

5.2. From 1 January to 30 June each year, fishing for red seabream in ICES subarea 8 shall be prohibited to vessels flying the French flag.

5.3. For recreational fisheries, fishing for red seabream shall be prohibited within the geographical areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: Area RF 1 (Cariño/Celeiro) — 43°46'23'' N, 007°52'04'' W — 43°48'30'' N, 007°52'04'' W — 43°49'26'' N, 007°41'17'' W — 43°45'44'' N, 007°33'21'' W — 43°43'49'' N, 007°33'21'' W Area RF 2 (Ribadeo) — 43°33'26'' N, 007°02'58'' W — 43°35'27'' N, 007°02'58'' W — 43°35'29'' N, 007°01'20'' W — 43°33'33'' N, 007°01'20'' W Area RF 3 (Navia): — 43°33'51'' N, 006°44'02'' W — 43°35'52'' N, 006°44'02'' W — 43°35'52'' N, 006°42'32'' W — 43°33'52'' N, 006°42'32'' W Area RF 4 (Ensenada Canero) — 43°33'10'' N, 006°28'55'' W — 43°34'53'' N, 006°30'17'' W — 43°36'14'' N, 006°28'13'' W — 43°34'18'' N, 006°28'13'' W Area RF 5 (Ensenada de Cabrera/Ría San Martín de la Arena) — 43°26'18'' N, 004°04'51'' W — 43°28'22'' N, 004°04'51'' W — 43°28'55'' N, 004°01'17'' W — 43°26'56'' N, 004°01'17'' W Area RF 6 (Ría de Treto) — 43°27'49'' N, 003°25'58'' W — 43°28'59'' N, 003°23'36'' W — 43°26'16'' N, 003°22'27'' W — 43°25'09'' N, 003°24'41'' W Area RF 7 (Bilbao/Plentzia) — 43°21'18'' N, 003°07'47'' W — 43°23'18'' N, 003°07'47'' W — 43°28'13'' N, 002°56'42'' W — 43°26'08'' N, 002°56'42'' W Area RF 8 (Bermeo/Mundaka) — 43°25'36'' N, 002°43'23'' W — 43°27'35'' N, 002°43'23'' W — 43°26'57'' N, 002°38'45'' W — 43°24'57'' N, 002°38'45'' W

5.4. The measures in points 5.1 to 5.3 shall apply until 31 December 2026.

ANNEX VIII

BALTIC SEA

PART A

Minimum conservation reference sizes

Species	Geographical Areas	Minimum Conservation Reference Size
Cod (Gadus morhua)	Sub-divisions 22-32	35cm
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)	Sub-divisions 22-32	25 cm
Salmon (Salmo salar)	Sub-divisions 22-30 and 32	60 cm
Sub-division 31	50 cm
Flounder (Platichthys flesus)	Sub-divisions 22-25	23 cm
Sub-divisions 26, 27 and 28	21 cm
Sub-divisions 29-32, south of 59°	18 cm
Turbot (Psetta maxima)	Sub-divisions 22-32	30 cm
Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus)	Sub-divisions 22-32	30 cm
Eel (Anguilla anguilla)	Sub-divisions 22-32	35 cm
Sea trout (Salmo trutta)	Sub-divisions 22-25 and 29-32	40 cm
Sub-divisions 26, 27 and 28	50 cm

PART B

Mesh sizes

1.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 120 mm constructed from T90 or at least 105 mm fitted with a Bacoma exit window of 120 mm.

1.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation and notwithstanding point 1.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the Baltic Sea provided that:

(i) the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod do not exceed 10 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip; or

(ii) other selectivity modifications are used which have been assessed by STECF upon request of one or more Member States and approved by the Commission. Those selectivity modifications shall result in the same or better selectivity characteristics for cod as that of 120 mm T90, or of 105 mm fitted with a 120 mm Bacoma exit window, respectively.

1.3.Specific measures for demersal fisheries when the directed fishery for cod is prohibited

1.3.1.By way of derogation from point 1.1 and from the first entry of the table in point 1.2, except for footnote 1, the following specific measures shall apply in ICES subdivisions 22-26 when the directed fishery for cod is prohibited and when other fishing activities are not prohibited in these subdivisions:

1.3.1.1.In ICES subdivisions 22 to 26 vessels fishing with bottom trawls shall use:

(i) a Roofless selection device in combination with the gear specifications set out in point 1.1, any new gear that is approved by the Commission and complies with the requirements of Article 15(4) of this Regulation; or

(ii) a T90 codend modified by increasing the minimum mesh size to at least 125 mm and reinforcing the selvedges with lastridge ropes (modified T90 codend), in combination with a Roofless selection device; or

(iii) a square mesh codend constructed of two panels with the same netting material as the escape window of the Bacoma codend laid down in point 1.1, and a minimum mesh size of at least 125 mm, in combination with a Roofless selection device.

Technical specifications of the selection devices set out above are provided in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3094 (²⁰).

1.3.1.2.In addition to the gear configurations specified in point 1.3.1.1, in ICES subdivisions 24 to 26, bottom trawls may also use the modified T90 codend referred to in point 1.3.1.1(ii) without the Roofless selection device.

1.3.2.When using the gear configurations referred to in point 1.3.1, masters of Union fishing vessels shall fill in a separate page in the paper fishing logbook or report the catches in the electronic fishing logbook separately from the catches made with other gear configurations and shall record which gear configuration has been used.

1.3.3.Each flag Member State shall transmit to the Commission the relevant scientific data and information, including the quantities of cod resulting from fishing with the gear configurations referred to in point 1.3.1 broken down by relevant areas, annually by 1 April. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) shall assess the data at the latest by 1 August of each relevant year, as of the third year of application of these measures.

1.3.4.As of the third year of application of these measures the Commission shall annually assess whether the potentially changing length structure of the cod stocks has an impact on the by-catch reduction efficiency of the alternative gears referred to in point 1.3.1.

1.3.5.Based on relevant scientific information, the Member States having a direct management interest may at any time agree on a joint recommendation in accordance with Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 requesting the Commission to modify the measures set out in points 1.3.1 to 1.3.4 above.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 90 mm	In sub-divisions 22 and 23	Directed fishing for flatfish (1) Directed fishing for whiting
At least 32 mm	In sub-divisions 22-27	Directed fishing for herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting
At least 16 mm	In sub-divisions 22-27	Directed fishing for sprat (2)
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species other than flatfish and which are not subject to catch limits and not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 16 mm	In sub-divisions 28-32	Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table
Less than 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for sandeel
(1) The use of beam trawl shall not be authorised. (2) The catch may consist of up to 45 % of herring by live weight

2.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 110 mm, or 157 mm when fishing for salmon.

2.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation and notwithstanding point 2.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the Baltic Sea provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod do not exceed 10 % of the total catch live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip or 5 specimens of salmon.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions (1)
At least 90 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for flatfish species
Less than 90 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species which are not subject to catch limits and not covered elsewhere in the table
(1) The use of gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets of more than 9 km for vessels with an overall length of less than 12 m and 21 km for vessels with an overall length of more than 12 m shall be prohibited. The maximum immersion time for such gear shall be 48 hours, except when fishing under ice cover.

PART C

Closed or restricted areas

1.Restrictions on fishing with towed gear

It shall be prohibited throughout the year, to fish with any towed gear in the geographical area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following positions, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system:

— 54°23′ N, 14°35′ E

— 54°21′ N, 14°40′ E

— 54°17′ N, 14°33′ E

— 54°07′ N, 14°25′ E

— 54°10′ N, 14°21′ E

— 54°14′ N, 14°25′ E

— 54°17′ N, 14°17′ E

— 54°24′ N, 14°11′ E

— 54°27′ N, 14°25′ E

— 54°23′ N, 14°35′ E.

2.1.Directed fishing for salmon (Salmo salar) or sea trout (Salmo trutta) shall be prohibited:

(a) from 1 June to 15 September each year in waters of subdivisions 22-31;

(b) from 15 June to 30 September each year in waters of subdivision 32.

2.2.The area of prohibition during the closed season shall be beyond four nautical miles measured from the baselines.

2.3.The retention on board of salmon (Salmo salar) or sea trout (Salmo trutta) caught with trap-nets shall be permitted.

3.1.In order to fish in sub-division 28-1, vessels shall hold a fishing authorisation issued in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

3.2.Member States shall ensure that vessels, to which the fishing authorisation referred to in point 3.1 has been issued, are included in a list, containing their name and internal registration number, made publicly available via an internet website, the address of which shall be provided to the Commission and Member States by each Member State.

3.3.Vessels included in the list shall satisfy the following conditions:

(a) the total engine power (kW) of the vessels within the lists must not exceed that observed for each Member State in the years 2000-2001 in subdivision 28-1; and

(b) the engine power of a vessel must not exceed 221 kW at any time.

3.4.Any individual vessel on the list referred to in point 3.2 may be replaced by another vessel or vessels, provided that:

(a) such replacement does not lead to an increase in the total engine power as indicated in point 3.3(a) for the Member State concerned; and

(b) the engine power of any replacement vessel does not exceed 221 kW at any time.

3.5.An engine of any individual vessel included in the list referred to in point 3.2 may be replaced, provided that:

(a) the replacement of an engine does not lead to the vessel’s engine power exceeding 221 kW at any time; and

(b) the power of the replacement engine is not such that replacement leads to an increase in the total engine power as indicated in point 3.3(a) for the Member State concerned.

3.6.In sub-division 28-1, fishing with trawls shall be prohibited in waters of less than 20 m in depth.

4.1.It shall be prohibited to conduct any fishing activity from 1 May to 31 October each year within the areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following positions, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 coordinate system:

(a) Area 1: — 55°45′ N, 15°30′ E — 55°45′ N, 16°30′ E — 55°00′ N, 16°30′ E — 55°00′ N, 16°00′ E — 55°15′ N, 16°00′ E — 55°15′ N, 15°30′ E — 55°45′ N, 15°30′ E

(b) Area 2: — 55°00′ N, 19°14′ E — 54°48′ N, 19°20′ E — 54°45′ N, 19°19′ E — 54°45′ N, 18°55′ E — 55°00′ N, 19°14′ E

(c) Area 3: — 56°13′ N, 18°27′ E — 56°13′ N, 19°31′ E — 55°59′ N, 19°13′ E — 56°03′ N, 19°06′ E — 56°00′ N, 18°51′ E — 55°47′ N, 18°57′ E — 55°30′ N, 18°34′ E — 56°13′ N, 18°27′ E.

4.2.Directed fishing for salmon with gillnets, entangling nets and trammel nets of a mesh size equal to or larger than 157 mm or with drifting lines shall be permitted. No other gear shall be kept on board.

4.3.Directed fishing for cod with the gear specified in point 4.2 shall be prohibited.

5.1.The retention on board of the following species of fish shall be prohibited where they are caught within the geographical areas and during the periods mentioned below:

Species	Geographical Areas	Period
Flounder	Sub-divisions 26-29 south of 59° 30′ N	15 February to 15 May
Subdivision 32	15 February to 31 May
Turbot	Sub-divisions 25, 26 and 28 south of 56° 50′ N	1 June to 31 July

5.2.Directed fishing with trawls, Danish seines or similar gear with a codend mesh size equal to or greater than 90 mm or with gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets with a mesh size equal to or greater than 90 mm shall be prohibited. By-catches of flounder and turbot may be retained on board and landed within a limit of 10 % by live weight of the total catch retained on board during the periods referred to in point 6.1.

The retention on board of eel caught with any active gear shall be prohibited. When accidentally caught, eel shall not be harmed and shall be promptly released.

ANNEX IX

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

PART A

Minimum conservation reference sizes

Species	Whole Area
Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)	25 cm
Annular sea bream (Diplodus annularis)	12 cm
Sharpsnout sea-bream (Diplodus puntazzo)	18 cm
White sea-bream (Diplodus sargus)	23 cm
Two-banded sea-bream (Diplodus vulgaris)	18 cm
European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)	9 cm (1)
Groupers (Epinephelus spp.)	45 cm
Stripped sea-bream (Lithognathus mormyrus)	20 cm
Hake (Merluccius merluccius)	20 cm
Red mullets (Mullus spp.)	11 cm
Spanish sea-bream (Pagellus acarne)	17 cm
Red sea-bream (Pagellus bogaraveo)	33 cm
Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)	15 cm
Common sea bream (Pagrus pagrus)	18 cm
Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)	45 cm
European sardine (Sardina pilchardus)	11 cm (2), (4)
Mackerel (Scomber spp.)	18 cm
Common sole (Solea vulgaris)	20 cm
Gilt-head sea-bream (Sparus aurata)	20 cm
Horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.)	15 cm
Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)	20 mm CL (3)
70 mm TL (3)
Lobster (Homarus gammarus)	105 mm CL (3)
300 mm TL (3)
Crawfish (Palinuridae)	90 mm CL (3)
Deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris)	20 mm CL (3)
Scallop (Pecten jacobeus)	10 cm
Carpet Clams (Venerupis spp.)	25 mm
Venus shells (Venus spp.)	25 mm (5)
(1) Member States may convert the minimum conservation reference size into 110 specimens per kg. (2) Member States may convert the minimum conservation reference size into 55 specimens per kg. (3) CL — carapace length; TL — total length. (4) This minimum conservation reference size shall not apply to fries of sardine landed for human consumption if caught by boat seines or shore seines and authorised in accordance with national provisions established in a management plan as referred to in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, provided that the stock of sardine concerned is within safe biological limits. (5) By way of derogation, from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025 the minimum conservation reference size of Venus shells (Venus spp.) shall be 22 mm in the Italian territorial waters of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) geographical sub-areas 9, 10, 17 and 18 as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011.

PART B

Mesh sizes

1.Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear

The following mesh sizes shall apply in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mesh Size (1)	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 40 mm square mesh codend (2)	Whole area	A diamond mesh codend of 50 mm2 may be used as an alternative to the 40 mm square mesh cod end at the duly justified request of the vessel owner
At least 20 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for sardine and anchovy
(1) It shall be prohibited to use netting with a twine thickness greater than 3 mm or with multiple twines; or netting with a twine thickness of greater than 6 mm in any part of a bottom trawl. (2) Only one type of net (either 40 mm square mesh or 50 mm diamond mesh) is allowed to be kept on board or deployed.

2.Baseline mesh size for surrounding nets

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 14 mm	Whole area	None

3.Baseline mesh sizes for static nets

The following mesh sizes for bottom set gillnets shall apply in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 16 mm	Whole area	None

4.Existing derogations from the provisions set out in points 1, 2 and 3 for boat seines and shore seines which are affected by a management plan as referred to in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 and issued within the framework of Article 9 of that Regulation shall continue to apply unless otherwise determined through Article 15 of this Regulation.

PART C

Restrictions on the use of fishing gear

The maximum breadth of dredges shall be 3 m, except for dredges used for directed fishing of sponges.

The length of purse seines and seines without purse lines shall be restricted to 800 m with a drop of 120 m, except in the case of purse seines used for directed fishing of tuna.

3.1.It shall be prohibited to use the following static nets:

(a) A trammel net with a drop of more than 4 m;

(b) A bottom set gillnet or combined trammel and gillnet with a drop of more than 10 m except when such nets are shorter than 500 m, where a drop of not more than 30 m is permitted.

3.2.It shall be prohibited to use any gillnet, entangling net or trammel net constructed with a twine thickness greater than 0,5 mm.

3.3.It shall be prohibited to have on board or set more than 2 500  m of combined gillnets and trammel nets and 6 000  m of any gillnet, entangling net or trammel net.

4.Restrictions on the use of longlines

4.1.It shall be prohibited for vessels fishing with bottom-set longlines to have on board or deploy more than 5 000 hooks except for vessels undertaking fishing trips of more than 3 days which may have on board or deploy no more than 7 000 hooks.

4.2.It shall be prohibited for vessels fishing with surface-set longlines to have on board or deploy more than the number of hooks per vessel as follows:

(a) 2 500 hooks when directed fishing for swordfish; and

(b) 5 000 hooks when directed fishing for albacore tuna.

4.3.A vessel undertaking fishing trips longer than 2 days may have on board an equivalent number of spare hooks.

5.Restrictions on the use of pots and creels

It shall be prohibited to have on board or set more than 250 pots or creels per vessel to catch deepwater crustaceans.

6.Restrictions on the directed fishing for red sea bream

The directed fishing for red sea bream (Pagellus bogaraveo) with the following gear shall be prohibited:

— gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets having a mesh size of less than 100 mm;

— longlines with hooks of a total length of less than 3,95 cm and a width of less than 1,65 cm.

7.Restrictions on fishing with spear guns

It shall be prohibited to fish with spear guns if used in conjunction with underwater breathing apparatus (aqualung) or at night from sunset to dawn.

ANNEX X

BLACK SEA

PART A

Minimum conservation reference sizes

Species	Minimum Conservation Reference Size
Turbot (Psetta maxima)	45 cm

PART B

Mesh sizes

The following mesh sizes shall apply in the Black Sea:

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 40 mm	Whole area	A diamond mesh codend of 50 mm () may be used as an alternative to the 40 mm square mesh cod end at the duly justified request of the vessel owner
(1) Only one type of net (either 40 mm square mesh or 50 mm diamond mesh) is allowed to be kept on board or deployed.

The following mesh sizes for static nets shall apply in the Black Sea:

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 400 mm	Whole area	Bottom set gillnets when used to catch turbot

The use of trawls or dredges at depths beyond 1 000  m shall be prohibited.

ANNEX XI

UNION WATERS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE WEST ATLANTIC

PART A

The following mesh sizes shall apply in Union waters in the Indian Ocean and the West Atlantic.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 100 mm	All waters off the coast of the French department of Guyana that come under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of France	None
At least 45 mm	All waters off the coast of the French department of Guyana that come under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of France	Directed fishing for shrimp (Penaeus subtilis, Penaeus brasiliensis, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri).
Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
---	---	---
At least 14 mm	Whole area	None

PART B

Closed or restricted areas

Restrictions on fishing activities in the 24-mile zone around Mayotte

Vessels shall be prohibited from using any purse-seine on tuna and tuna-like schools of fish within 24 nautical miles of the coast of Mayotte, measured from the baselines from which territorial waters are measured.

ANNEX XIII

MITIGATION MEASURES TO REDUCE INCIDENTAL CATCHES OF SENSITIVE SPECIES

The following measures to monitor and reduce incidental catches of sensitive species shall apply:

PART A

Cetaceans

1.1.It shall be prohibited:

(a) for vessels with an overall length of 12 m or more to use the fishing gear in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of active acoustic deterrent devices. Area Gear Baltic Sea Area delimited by a line running from the Swedish coast at the point at longitude 13° E, thence due south to latitude 55° N, thence due east to longitude 14° E, thence due north to the coast of Sweden; and, Area delimited by a line running from the eastern coast of Sweden at the point at latitude 55°30′ N, thence due east to longitude 15° E, thence due north to latitude 56° N, thence due east to longitude 16° E thence due north to the coast of Sweden Any bottom-set gill net or entangling net Baltic Sea sub-division 24 (except for the area covered above) Any bottom-set gill net or entangling net ICES sub-area 4 and ICES division 3a (only from 1 August to 31 October) Any bottom-set gill net or entangling net, or combination of these nets, the total length of which does not exceed 400 m Any bottom-set gillnet or entangling net ≥ 220 mm ICES divisions 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h and 7j Any bottom-set gillnet or entangling net ICES division 7d Any bottom-set gillnet or entangling net

(b) for all vessels to use the fishing gear in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of active acoustic deterrent devices. Area Gear In the West and East of the ‘sandbank Ryf Mew’ (Inner and Outer Puck Bay, within and outside the Natura 2000 site ‘Zatoka Pucka Półwysep Helski’ (PLH220032)) The area is defined as that area of sea enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: Static nets () — 54,606030°N — 18,803830°E — 54,631210°N — 18,772230°E — 54,681520°N — 18,711720°E — 54,694090°N — 18,690050°E — 54,701420°N — 18,652120°E — 54,717640°N — 18,628640°E — 54,789790°N — 18,418240°E — 54,770450°N — 18,412820°E — 54,754770°N — 18,392950°E — 54,727580°N — 18,390240°E — 54,721830°N — 18,402890°E — 54,720780°N — 18,416430°E — 54,705080°N — 18,436300°E — 54,695130°N — 18,467000°E — 54,687800°N — 18,460680°E — 54,660040°N — 18,457070°E — 54,633310°N — 18,463390°E — 54,628590°N — 18,469710°E — 54,632780°N — 18,510350°E — 54,615480°N — 18,507640°E — 54,584510°N — 18,537440°E — 54,550380°N — 18,554600°E — 54,541970°N — 18,543760°E — 54,510950°N — 18,543760°E — 54,486220°N — 18,564530°E — 54,592910°N — 18,808350°E In the Natura 2000 site ‘Sydvästskånes utsjövatten’ (SE0430187), this prohibition shall apply between 1 May and 31 October. The area is defined as that area of sea enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: Static nets () — 55,35106°N — 12,97893°E — 55,22202°N — 13,53572°E — 55,01445°N — 13,39068°E — 55,01099°N — 13,20750°E — 55,07472°N — 13,16464°E — 55,12709°N — 12,97429°E — 55,09678°N — 12,97513°E — 55,16606°N — 12,79373°E — 55,24938°N — 12,67606°E — 55,30773°N — 12,63771°E — 55,33667°N — 12,64080°E — 55,34481°N — 12,69023°E — 55,30593°N — 12,70856°E — 55,27558°N — 12,80246°E — 55,26932°N — 12,88011°E — 55,27786°N — 12,92801°E

ICES Subarea 8 Mid-water pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM, TM) and demersal twin trawls (PTB) () (¹) Semi-dr iftnets, classified in the European Commission Fleet Register as a gillnet (GNS), that are anchored to the seabed at one side, fall within the definition of static nets. (²) This measure shall apply until 31 December 2025.

1.2.Point 1.1 shall not apply to fishing operations conducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigation which are carried out with the authorisation and under the authority of the Member State or Member States concerned and which aim at developing new technical measures to reduce the incidental capture or killing of cetaceans.

1.3.Member States shall take necessary steps to monitor and assess by means of scientific studies or pilot projects, the effects of acoustic deterrent device use over time in the fisheries and areas concerned.

2.1.Monitoring schemes shall be undertaken on an annual basis and established for vessels flying their flag and with an overall length of 15 m or more to monitor cetacean by-catch, for the fisheries and under the conditions defined below.

Area	Gear
ICES sub-areas 6, 7 and 8	Pelagic trawls (single and pair)
Mediterranean Sea (of the east of line 5°36′ west	Pelagic trawls (single and pair)
ICES divisions 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 8c and 9a	Bottom-set gillnet or entangling nets using mesh sizes equal to or greater than 80 mm
ICES sub area 4, ICES division 6a, and ICES sub-area 7, with the exception of ICES divisions 7c and 7k	Driftnets
ICES divisions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d south of 59° N, 3d north of 59° (only from 1 June to 30 September) and ICES sub-areas 4 and 9	Pelagic trawls (single and pair)
ICES sub-areas 6, 7, 8 and 9	High-opening trawls
ICES divisions 3b, 3c and 3d	Bottom-set gillnet or entangling nets using mesh sizes equal to or greater than 80 mm

2.2.Point 2.1 shall not apply to fishing operations conducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigation which are carried out with the authorisation and under the authority of the Member State or Member States concerned and which aim at developing new technical measures to reduce the incidental capture or killing of cetaceans.

3.1. Fishing shall only be permitted with pots, fish traps and longlines within the following areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 56,241°N	— 17,042°E
— 56,022°N	— 17,202°E
— 56,145°N	— 17,710°E
— 56,380°N	— 17,675°E

3.2. Fishing with all types of static nets (²¹) shall be prohibited within the following areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 55,64194°N	— 17,55060°E
— 55,77718°N	— 17,45729°E
— 55,80195°N	— 17,32586°E
— 55,69214°N	— 17,11479°E
— 55,54258°N	— 17,18434°E
— 55,50003°N	— 17,00016°E
— 55,37749°N	— 16,58925°E
— 56,01093°N	— 16,61700°E
— 56,45158°N	— 17,14420°E
— 56,50419°N	— 18,05446°E
— 56,84110°N	— 18,08191°E
— 56,82638°N	— 18,64635°E
— 56,67028°N	— 18,75222°E
— 56,40337°N	— 18,60704°E
— 55,79712°N	— 18,03668°E
— 55,78242°N	— 17,99611°E
— 55,64194°N	— 17,55060°E

The Southern Midsea Bank is defined as the Swedish part of the Southern Midsea Bank, covering all waters between the Natura 2000 site Hoburgs bank och Midsjöbankarna (SE0330308) and the Swedish-Polish border. Polish waters are delimited as the area within the following coordinates:

— 55,377°N	— 16,589°E
— 55,466°N	— 17,538°E
— 55,797°N	— 18,037°E

3.3. Between 1 November and 31 January, fishing with static nets (²²) shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by rhumb lines, seaward separation lines of the German EEZ (²³) or delimitation lines of the German territorial sea (²⁴) sequentially joining the following sets of coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

— 55,035336°N	— 14,459815°E
— 54,971063°N	— 14,607236°E
— 54,812483°N	— 14,413654°E
— 54,812496°N	— 14,171885°E

The geographical area enclosed by:

(1) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: Point Latitude (N) Longitude (E) MGI-01 54,719193° 13,901025° MGI-02 54,770556° 14,003889° MGI-03 54,702500° 14,103889° MGI-04 54,647584° 13,991417°

(2) seaward delimitation line of the German territorial sea from 54,647584° N 13,991417° E to 54,719193° N 13,901025° E.

The geographical area enclosed by:

(1) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: Point Latitude (N) Longitude (E) MGII-01 54,811946° 14,239196° MGII-02 54,721667° 14,141667° MGII-03 54,698889° 14,117222° MGII-04 54,657727° 14,413062°

(2) seaward separation line between the German and Danish Exclusive Economic Zones from 54,657727° N 14,413062° E to 54,811946° N 14,239196° E.

The geographical area enclosed by:

(1) rhumb line sequentially joining the following coordinates: Point Latitude (N) Longitude (E) MGIII-01 54,500000° 14,055211° MGIII -02 54,500000° 14,742241°

(2) seaward separation line between the German and Polish Exclusive Economic Zones from 54,5° N 14,742241° E to 54,126151° N 14,201431° E

(3) seaward delimitation line of the German territorial sea from 54,126151° N 14,201431° E to 54,5° N 14,055211° E

The area of sea enclosed by:

— 54,34995°N — 13,75007°E — 54,35002°N — 13,78340°E — 54,31672°N — 13,88336°E — 54,25958°N — 14,00053°E — 54,27765°N — 14,06962°E — 54,23882°N — 14,16802°E — 54,12615°N — 14,20141°E — 54,18295°N — 13,98338°E — 54,14431°N — 13,86995°E — 54,14633°N — 13,83198°E — 54,14714°N — 13,83127°E — 54,15004°N — 13,82926°E — 54,15088°N — 13,82880°E — 54,15144°N — 13,82881°E — 54,18832°N — 13,82347°E — 54,18832°N — 13,82346°E — 54,19374°N — 13,82268°E — 54,21375°N — 13,80557°E — 54,23009°N — 13,79156°E — 54,23160°N — 13,77499°E — 54,23358°N — 13,75603°E — 54,27407°N — 13,72601°E

The area of sea enclosed by:

— 54,32395°N — 15,38526°E — 54,25835°N — 15,38440°E — 54,24455°N — 15,38422°E — 54,19953°N — 15,38237°E — 54,16881°N — 15,38111°E — 54,15807°N — 15,38067°E — 54,15804°N — 15,38067°E

— 54,00013°N — 14,65346°E — 53,99989°N — 14,65269°E — 53,99982°N — 14,65200°E — 53,99987°N — 14,65201°E — 54,01629°N — 14,64664°E — 53,97913°N — 14,49071°E — 53,95057°N — 14,43891°E — 53,93854°N — 14,45827°E

— 53,92176°N — 14,28495°E — 54,48498°N — 14,79511°E — 54,47014°N — 14,85220°E — 53,92905°N — 14,28883°E — 54,48476°N — 14,79733°E — 54,47135°N — 14,85316°E — 53,93619°N — 14,29442°E — 54,48434°N — 14,79876°E — 54,47238°N — 14,85454°E — 53,94698°N — 14,30494°E — 54,48346°N — 14,80031°E — 54,47294°N — 14,85603°E — 53,94830°N — 14,31365°E — 54,48261°N — 14,80164°E — 54,47313°N — 14,85830°E — 53,95213°N — 14,33902°E — 54,48179°N — 14,80253°E — 54,47319°N — 14,86005°E — 53,97892°N — 14,33091°E — 54,48092°N — 14,80321°E — 54,47303°N — 14,86222°E — 53,97914°N — 14,33084°E — 54,47987°N — 14,80368°E — 54,47261°N — 14,86469°E — 54,10243°N — 14,29333°E — 54,47887°N — 14,80444°E — 54,47191°N — 14,86718°E — 54,12747°N — 14,28383°E — 54,47743°N — 14,80590°E — 54,47115°N — 14,86915°E — 54,12688°N — 14,25228°E — 54,47594°N — 14,80723°E — 54,47031°N — 14,87098°E — 54,12728°N — 14,24162°E — 54,47431°N — 14,80922°E — 54,46938°N — 14,87249°E — 54,16731°N — 14,35028°E — 54,47285°N — 14,81127°E — 54,46819°N — 14,87436°E — 54,16880°N — 14,35199°E — 54,47083°N — 14,81463°E — 54,46476°N — 14,87841°E — 54,16889°N — 14,35222°E — 54,46903°N — 14,81781°E — 54,46234°N — 14,88129°E — 54,38286°N — 14,59913°E — 54,46704°N — 14,82181°E — 54,46009°N — 14,88427°E — 54,49418°N — 14,74253°E — 54,46523°N — 14,82507°E — 54,45760°N — 14,88823°E — 54,49380°N — 14,74525°E — 54,46369°N — 14,82837°E — 54,45514°N — 14,89218°E — 54,49272°N — 14,75092°E — 54,46218°N — 14,83167°E — 54,45298°N — 14,89570°E — 54,49188°N — 14,75496°E — 54,46121°N — 14,83447°E — 54,44969°N — 14,90148°E — 54,49095°N — 14,75871°E — 54,46044°N — 14,83791°E — 54,44706°N — 14,90626°E — 54,48966°N — 14,76338°E — 54,46010°N — 14,84096°E — 54,44515°N — 14,90988°E — 54,48813°N — 14,76830°E — 54,46010°N — 14,84096°E — 54,44264°N — 14,91458°E — 54,48735°N — 14,77153°E — 54,46018°N — 14,84560°E — 54,44081°N — 14,91853°E — 54,48661°N — 14,77585°E — 54,46076°N — 14,84763°E — 54,43878°N — 14,92371°E — 54,48597°N — 14,77957°E — 54,46185°N — 14,84974°E — 54,43679°N — 14,92842°E — 54,48525°N — 14,78345°E — 54,46303°N — 14,85090°E — 54,43529°N — 14,93180°E — 54,48506°N — 14,78639°E — 54,46454°N — 14,85156°E — 54,43364°N — 14,93526°E — 54,48516°N — 14,79048°E — 54,46628°N — 14,85192°E — 54,43167°N — 14,93970°E — 54,48510°N — 14,79239°E — 54,46903°N — 14,85211°E — 54,43013°N — 14,94295°E

— 54,30457°N — 15,24969°E — 54,31048°N — 15,36540°E — 54,30337°N — 15,25282°E — 54,31376°N — 15,36389°E — 54,30277°N — 15,25502°E — 54,31833°N — 15,36227°E — 54,30249°N — 15,25746°E — 54,32214°N — 15,36082°E — 54,30267°N — 15,26188°E — 54,32356°N — 15,36059°E — 54,30319°N — 15,26968°E — 54,32452°N — 15,36102°E — 54,30321°N — 15,27431°E — 54,32527°N — 15,36217°E — 54,30327°N — 15,27860°E — 54,32726°N — 15,36727°E — 54,30238°N — 15,28297°E — 54,32853°N — 15,37192°E — 54,30115°N — 15,28744°E — 54,32944°N — 15,37681°E — 54,30039°N — 15,29080°E — 54,33059°N — 15,38341°E — 54,29976°N — 15,29354°E — 54,33088°N — 15,38527°E — 54,29886°N — 15,29724°E — 54,33089°N — 15,38535°E — 54,29858°N — 15,29968°E — 54,29829°N — 15,30447°E — 54,29812°N — 15,31408°E — 54,29777°N — 15,32068°E — 54,29695°N — 15,32706°E — 54,29610°N — 15,33412°E — 54,29570°N — 15,33741°E — 54,29523°N — 15,34150°E — 54,29497°N — 15,34467°E — 54,29501°N — 15,34994°E — 54,29578°N — 15,35382°E — 54,29752°N — 15,35843°E — 54,29935°N — 15,36192°E — 54,30108°N — 15,36420°E — 54,30289°N — 15,36536°E — 54,30516°N — 15,36587°E — 54,30711°N — 15,36580°E

The area is defined as that area of sea enclosed by joining:

— 53,93854°N — 14,45827°E — 53,95057°N — 14,43891°E — 53,97913°N — 14,49071°E — 54,01629°N — 14,64664°E — 53,99987°N — 14,65201°E

The geographical area enclosed by:

(1) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: Point Latitude (N) Longitude (E) MGIV-01 54,647584° 13,991417° MGIV-02 54,702500° 14,103889° MGIV-03 54,721667° 14,141667° MGIV-04 54,811946° 14,239196°

(2) seaward separation lines between the German and Danish Exclusive Economic Zones from 54,811946° N 14,239196° E to 54,657727° N 14,413062° E, the German and Danish or German and Polish Exclusive Economic Zones from 54,657727° N 14,413062° E to 54,5° N 14,742241° E and the German and Polish Exclusive Economic Zones from 54,5° N 14,742241° E to 54,126151° N 14,201431° E

(3) seaward delimitation line of the German territorial sea from 54,126151° N 14,201431° E to 54,5° N 14,055211° E and 54,5° N 14,055211° E to 54,647584° N 13,991417° E.

3.4. Fishing with static nets (21)  shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following sets of coordinates from 1 November to 30 April.

— 55,35106°N	— 12,97893°E
— 55,22202°N	— 13,53572°E
— 55,01445°N	— 13,39068°E
— 55,01099°N	— 13,20750°E
— 55,07472°N	— 13,16464°E
— 55,12709°N	— 12,97429°E
— 55,09678°N	— 12,97513°E
— 55,16606°N	— 12,79373°E
— 55,24938°N	— 12,67606°E
— 55,30773°N	— 12,63771°E
— 55,33667°N	— 12,64080°E
— 55,34481°N	— 12,69023°E
— 55,30593°N	— 12,70856°E
— 55,27558°N	— 12,80246°E
— 55,26932°N	— 12,88011°E
— 55,27786°N	— 12,92801°E

3.5. Member States shall ensure that the control authorities can monitor fishing vessel’s activity at any time to implement the measures laid down in points 3.1 to 3.4.

4.1.Fishing prohibition:

Fishing shall be prohibited in French waters up to the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone of France within ICES Subarea 8 between 22 January and 20 February 2025 for vessels above 8 metres carrying on board pelagic trawls (PTM, OTM), demersal pair trawls (PTB), purse seines (PS), set gillnets (GNS), trammel nets (GTR) or combined gillnets and trammel nets (GTN).

4.2.Monitoring measures:

4.2.1.The following monitoring measures shall apply until 31 December 2025.

4.2.2.Masters of all Union fishing vessels shall record separately in the fishing logbook incidental catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans (²⁵), regardless of quantities and weight;

4.2.3.Member States shall collect data on catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans through on-board observers or electronic monitoring systems incorporating cameras, by covering:

— at least 1 % of the total fishing effort measured in number of days at sea for pelagic pair trawls (PTM), bottom pair trawls (PTB), midwater otter trawls (OTM), trammel nets (GTR), set gillnets (GNS) and purse seine (PS) fishing all year long, and

— at least 5 % of the total fishing effort measured in number of days at sea for pelagic pair trawls (PTM), bottom pair trawls (PTB) and midwater otter trawls (OTM) fishing from January to March 2025;

4.2.4.during the high-risk period of incidental catches:

— Member States may increase monitoring coverage on trammel nets (GTR) and set anchored gillnets (GNS) between 2 % and 5 % of the total fishing effort measured in days at sea;

— vessels may be equipped with electronic monitoring systems incorporating cameras.

PART B

Seabirds

Where the data referred to in point 2 of the introductory paragraph of this Annex indicate a level of incidental catches of seabirds in specific fisheries which constitutes a serious threat to the conservation status of those seabirds, Member States shall use bird scaring lines and/or weighted lines, if it is scientifically proven that such use has a conservation benefit in that area, and where practical and beneficial shall set longlines during the hours of darkness with the minimum of deck lighting necessary for safety.

PART C

Marine turtles

1.1.It shall be prohibited for vessels to use the fishing gear specified below in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of a turtle excluder device.

Area	Species	Gear
Union waters in the Indian Ocean and the West Atlantic	Shrimps (Penaeus spp., Xiphopenaeus kroyeri)	Any shrimp trawl

1.2.The Commission may adopt implementing acts establishing detailed rules for the specification of the device referred to in point 1.1.

ANNEX XIV

SPECIES FOR SELECTIVITY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

North Sea	North Western Waters	South Western Waters	Baltic Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Cod	Cod	Hake	Cod	Hake
Haddock	Haddock	Whiting	Plaice	Red Mullet
Saithe	Saithe	Megrim
Whiting	Whiting
Plaice	Plaice