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

- 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
Salmon (Salmo salar)	Sub-division 31	50 cm
Flounder (Platichthys flesus)	Sub-divisions 22-25	23 cm
Flounder (Platichthys flesus)	Sub-divisions 26, 27 and 28	21 cm
Flounder (Platichthys flesus)	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
Sea trout (Salmo trutta)	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 ([^E0064]).

• 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 [^E0065] 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 [^E0066]
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

The use of beam trawl shall not be authorised.

[^E0066]: (²)

The catch may consist of up to 45 % of herring by live weight

2. Baseline mesh sizes for static nets

• 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 [^E0067]
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

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. Restrictions on fishing for salmon and sea trout

• 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. Restrictions on fishing for flounder and turbot

- 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 | | Flounder | 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 [^E0068] | | 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 [^E0069], [^E0071] | | 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 [^E0070] | | Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) | 70 mm TL [^E0070] | | Lobster (Homarus gammarus) | 105 mm CL [^E0070] | | Lobster (Homarus gammarus) | 300 mm TL [^E0070] | | Crawfish (Palinuridae) | 90 mm CL [^E0070] | | Deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) | 20 mm CL [^E0070] | | Scallop (Pecten jacobeus) | 10 cm | | Carpet Clams (Venerupis spp.) | 25 mm | | | | | Venus shells (Venus spp.) | 25 mm [^E0072] | | | |

[^E0068]: (¹)

Member States may convert the minimum conservation reference size into 110 specimens per kg.

Member States may convert the minimum conservation reference size into 55 specimens per kg.

CL — carapace length; TL — total length.

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.

By way of derogation, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, 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) 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 on certain provisions for fishing in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Agreement area (OJ L, 2023/2124, 12.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2124/oj).

PART B

Mesh sizes

• 1.Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear

The following mesh sizes shall apply in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mesh Size [^E0073]	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 40 mm square mesh codend [^E0074]	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

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.

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 [^E0075] may be used as an alternative to the 40 mm square mesh cod end at the duly justified request of the vessel owner

[^E0075]: (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.

2. Baseline mesh sizes for static nets

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

1. Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear

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).

2. Baseline mesh size for surrounding nets

| 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:

- 1. The measures set out in Parts A, B and C.

• 1. Member States shall take the necessary steps to collect scientific data on incidental catches of sensitive species.

• 1. As a result of scientific evidence, validated by ICES, STECF, or in the framework of GFCM, of negative impacts of fishing gear on sensitive species, Member States shall submit joint recommendations for additional mitigation measures for the reduction of incidental catches of the concerned species or in a concerned area on the basis of Article 15 of this Regulation.

• 1. Member States shall monitor and assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures established under this Annex.

PART A

Cetaceans

1. Fisheries in which the use of acousÑtic deterrent devices is mandatory

• 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 [^E0076] — 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 [^E0076] — 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 bottom pair trawls (PTB) [^E0077] (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 2026.

• 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.

1. Fisheries to be monitored

• 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.

1. Special measures in the Baltic Sea

• 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:

‘Northern Midsea Bank’:

| | |

| --- | --- | | — 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 ([^E0078]) 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:

Natura 2000 site ‘Hoburgs bank och Midsjöbankarna’ (SE0330308)

| | |

| --- | --- | | — 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 |

‘Southern Midsea Bank’

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 ([^E0079]) shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by rhumb lines, seaward separation lines of the German EEZ ([^E0080]) or delimitation lines of the German territorial sea ([^E0081]) sequentially joining the following sets of coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke’ (DK00VA261)

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

Natura 2000 site ‘Westliche Rönnebank’ (DE1249301)

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.

Natura 2000 site ‘Adlergrund’ (DE1251301)

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.

Natura 2000 site ‘Pommersche Bucht mit Oderbank’ (DE1652301)

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

Natura 2000 site ‘Greifswalder Boddenrandschwelle und Teile der Pommerschen Bucht’ (DE1749302)

The area of sea enclosed by:

• a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: — 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

• b) The coastline from 54,35002° N 13,72601°E to 54,27765°N 13,75007°E

Natura 2000 site ‘Ostoja na Zatoce Pomorskiej’ (PLH990002).

The area of sea enclosed by:

• a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: — 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

• b) the coast from 54,15804°N 15,38067°E to 54,00013°N 14,65346°E

• c) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: — 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

- d) the coast from 53,93854°N 14,45827°E to 53,92176°N 14,28495°E

• e) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates, read in column order: — 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

• f) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates, read in column order: — 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 marine part of the Natura 2000 site ‘Wolin i Uznam’ (PLH320019)

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

• a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: — 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

- b) The coastline between 53,93854°N and 14,45827°E

Natura 2000 site ‘Pommersche Bucht’ (DE1552401)

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.

Natura 2000 site ‘Sydvästskånes utsjövatten’ (SE0430187)

— 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. Special measures in the Bay of Biscay (ICES Subarea 8)

- 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 2026 for vessels above 8 metres carrying on board pelagic trawls (PTM, OTM), bottom pair trawls (PTB), purse seines (PS), set (anchored) 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 2026.
• 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 ([^E0082]), in accordance with Article 14(8) of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
• 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 (anchored) gillnets (GNS) and purse seine (PS) fishing all year long,
• — 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 2026, and
• — at least 7 % of the total fishing effort measured in number of days at sea for trammel nets (GTR) and set (anchored) gillnets (GNS) from January to March 2026.
• 4.2.4. During the high-risk period of incidental catches, 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

[^E0001]: ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) divisions are as defined in Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in the north-east Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 70).

[^E0002]: CECAF (Eastern Central Atlantic or FAO major fishing zone 34) zones are as defined in Regulation (EC) No 216/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in certain areas other than those of the North Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 1).

[^E0003]: Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea (OJ L 347, 30.12.2011, p. 44).

[^E0005]: Council Regulation (EC) No 734/2008 of 15 July 2008 on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas from the adverse impacts of bottom fishing gears (OJ L 201, 30.7.2008, p. 8).

[^E0006]: Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1184/2006 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 1).

[^E0007]: Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fishery 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 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).’;

[^E0008]: Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fishery 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 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).’;

[^E0009]: Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fishery 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 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).’;

[^E0010]: Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fishery 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 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).’;

[^E0011]: For the purposes of this Annex:

• — the Kattegat is limited in the north by a line drawn from Skagen Lighthouse to the lighthouse in Tistlarna, and from there to the nearest point on the Swedish coast, and in the south by a line drawn from Hasenøre Head to Gniben Point, from Korshage to Spodsbjerg, and from Gilbjerg Head to the Kullen,

• — the Skagerrak is limited in the west by a line drawn from the lighthouse of Hanstholm to the lighthouse of Lindesnes, and in the south by a line drawn from Skagen Lighthouse to the lighthouse of Tistlarna, and from there to the nearest point on the Swedish coast,

• — the North Sea shall comprise ICES sub-area 4, the adjacent part of ICES Division 2a lying south of latitude 64° N, and that part of ICES Division 3a which is not covered by the definition of Skagerrak given in the second indent.

[^E0016]: When fishing with beam trawls the maximum length of the beam or the aggregate beam length measured as the sum of the length of each beam shall not exceed 24 metres or cannot be extended to a length greater than 24 metres. The length of a beam shall be measured between its extremities including all attachments thereto. This is without prejudice to more specific measures established in certain areas of the North Sea.

[^E0017]: When fishing in sub-divisions Skagerrak and Kattegat with otter trawls with a mesh size of less than 120 mm, a diamond mesh top panel of at least 270 mm mesh size or a square mesh top panel of at least 140 mm mesh size shall be fitted. Alternatively, in sub-division Kattegat, a square mesh panel of at least 120 mm may be fitted in the period from 1 October to 31 December.

[^E0018]: When fishing in sub-division Kattegat with seines with a mesh size of less than 120 mm, a diamond mesh top panel of at least 270 mm mesh size or a square mesh top panel of at least 140 mm mesh size shall be fitted. Alternatively, a square mesh panel of at least 120 mm may be fitted in the period from 1 August to 31 October.

[^E0019]: ‘SepNep’ means an otter trawl which:

• — is constructed within the mesh size range of 80 to 99 +≥ 100 mm,

• — is fitted with multiple cod-ends of mesh sizes ranging from at least 80 to 120 mm attached to a single extension piece, the uppermost cod-end being constructed with a mesh size of at least 120 mm and fitted with a separation panel with a maximum mesh size of 105 mm, and

• — may furthermore be fitted with an optional selection grid with a bar spacing of at least 17 mm provided it is constructed in such a way so as to allow the escape of small Norway lobster.

[^E0022]: Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 establishing specific conditions for fishing for deep-sea stocks in the north-east Atlantic and provisions for fishing in international waters of the north-east Atlantic and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 2347/2002 (OJ L 354, 23.12.2016, p. 1).

[^E0023]: Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the common fisheries policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 (OJ L 157, 20.6.2017, p. 1).

[^E0036]: In the absence of new rules adopted before 31 December 2026, as of 1 January 2027 the applicable minimum conservation reference size for red seabream shall be 33 cm.

[^E0037]: To be phased-in over a two-year period from the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

[^E0045]: A mesh size of at least 220 mm shall be used when fishing for anglerfish. A mesh size of at least 110 mm shall be used when directed fishing for pollack and hake in ICES divisions 7d and 7e.

[^E0047]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/2034 of 18 October 2018 establishing a discard plan for certain demersal fisheries in North-Western waters for the period 2019-2021 (OJ L 327, 21.12.2018, p. 8).

[^E0060]: This provision is without prejudice to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 494/2002.

[^E0061]: For directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), a square mesh panel of at least 100 mm or equivalent selectivity device shall be fitted when fishing in ICES divisions 8a, 8b, 8d and 8e. For directed fishing for sole with beam trawls, a panel with a mesh size of at least 180 mm fitted in the upper half of the anterior part of the net shall be fitted.

[^E0062]: For directed fishing for anglerfish a mesh size of at least 220 mm shall be used.

[^E0064]: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3094 of 27 November 2024 laying down detailed rules on certain selective devices to reduce incidental catches of cod in the Baltic Sea provided for in Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L, 2024/3094, 10.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/3094/oj).

[^E0078]: Semi-driftnets, 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.

[^E0079]: Semi-driftnets, 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.

[^E0080]: According to official nautical charts No 2920 and 2921 published by the German Maritime Authority [BSH- Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie].

[^E0081]: According to official nautical charts No 2920 and 2921 published by the German Maritime Authority [BSH- Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie].

[^E0082]: Species of the family Delphinidae and the family Phocoenidae that are present (permanently or temporally) in ICES subarea 8.