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Regulation (EU) 2024/2594 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2024 laying down conservation, management and control measures applicable in the area covered by the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in the North-East Atlantic fisheries, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulations (EEC) No 1899/85 and (EEC) No 1638/87

Type Regulation
Publication 2024-10-08
Last updated 2025-11-13
State In force
Department Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Source EUR-Lex
articles 59
Reform history JSON API
  • (b) record the evidence deemed necessary relating to the infringement;
  • (c) take all necessary measures to ensure security and continuity of the evidence for subsequent dockside inspection; an identification mark may be affixed securely to any part of the fishing gear which appears to the inspector to be or to have been in contravention of applicable measures; and
  • (d) attempt immediately to communicate with the inspecting Member State authorities and EFCA.
2.

The inspecting Member State, or EFCA if the inspection or surveillance is carried out by it, shall communicate in writing and by electronic means the details of the infringement to the designated authority of the flag State of the inspected vessel and to the Commission and EFCA, where possible, within the first working day following the start of the inspection. Where appropriate, the inspecting Member State or EFCA shall also communicate the findings to the Contracting Party in whose waters the infringement took place and to the State of which the vessel’s master is a national.

3.

The inspecting Member State or EFCA shall send without delay the original of the surveillance or inspection report with any supporting documents to the competent authorities of the flag State of the inspected fishing vessel, with copy to the NEAFC Secretariat, the Commission and EFCA.

4.

Where infringement of NEAFC rules is recorded in the report referred to in Article 33(1), the inspecting Member State shall either take appropriate enforcement measures or notify, by email, the designated authorities of the flag Member State or flag Contracting Party of the inspected fishing vessel about the intention to transfer the proceedings. That procedure shall be without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the inspecting Member State, flag Member State or flag Contracting Party to enforce their own law and to the jurisdiction of the flag State regarding fishing activities within the Regulatory Area.

Article 35
Follow-up in the case of an alleged infringement
1.

Member States shall designate the competent authorities which are to receive the evidence of an infringement. The designated competent authorities notified of an infringement committed by a fishing vessel of that Member State shall take prompt action to receive and consider the evidence of the infringement and conduct any further investigation necessary for the follow-up to the infringement and, whenever possible, inspect the fishing vessel concerned.

2.

Member States shall consider and act upon reports from NEAFC inspectors of other Contracting Parties under the NEAFC Scheme on the same basis as reports from their own inspectors. Member States shall cooperate with each other and with other Contracting Parties in order to facilitate judicial or other proceedings arising from a report submitted by an inspector under the NEAFC Scheme.

Article 36
Serious infringements

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following infringements in respect of fishery resources shall be considered to be serious:

  • (a) fishing without a valid authorisation issued by the flag State;
  • (b) fishing without quota or after its exhaustion;
  • (c) use of prohibited fishing gear;
  • (d) serious misrecording of catches of regulated resources;
  • (e) repeated failure to comply with Articles 14 and 16 or, in respect of regulated resources, Article 15;
  • (f) landing or transhipping in a port not designated in accordance with Article 27;
  • (g) failure to comply with the requirements established in Article 28(1) to (4);
  • (h) landing or transhipping without authorisation of the port State or before the prenotified estimated time of arrival without permission of the port State as referred to in Article 29;
  • (i) preventing inspectors from carrying out their duties;
  • (j) directed fishing for a stock which is subject to a moratorium or for which fishing is prohibited;
  • (k) falsifying or concealing the markings, identity or registration of a fishing vessel;
  • (l) concealing, tampering with or disposing of evidence relating to an investigation;
  • (m) multiple violations which together constitute a serious disregard of conservation and management measures;
  • (n) engaging in transhipment or joint fishing operations with vessels of a non-Contracting Party which has not been accorded the status of active cooperating non-Contracting Party by NEAFC;
  • (o) supplying any provisions, fuel or other services to vessels that have been placed on the list of vessels carrying out IUU fishing referred to in Article 47(1).
Article 37
Follow-up in the case of serious infringements
1.

If an inspector considers that there are clear grounds for believing that the master or the operator of a fishing vessel has committed a serious infringement, that inspector shall promptly notify that infringement to the competent authorities of the inspecting Member State, the Commission and EFCA. The inspecting Member State or EFCA, in the event that the inspection was carried out by the latter, shall forward the information without delay to the NEAFC Secretariat, the competent authorities of the flag State of the vessel and, where appropriate, to the flag State or States of the donor vessels when the inspected vessel has engaged in transhipment operations.

2.

In order to preserve the evidence of infringement, the inspector shall take all necessary measures to ensure the security and continuity thereof while minimising inconvenience to the vessel and interference with its operations.

3.

In the case of an inspection at sea in the Regulatory Area, the inspector is entitled to remain on board the fishing vessel for the period necessary to provide information to an inspector duly authorised by the flag Contracting Party or until the response of the flag Member State or flag Contracting Party requires the inspector to leave the fishing vessel.

Article 38
Follow-up in the case of serious infringements by a Union fishing vessel
1.

Flag Member State shall respond to a notification of serious infringement without delay and shall ensure that the Union fishing vessel concerned is inspected within 72 hours by an inspector duly authorised in relation to the infringement.

2.

Following notification of the results of the examination referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in Article 37(1), the flag Member State shall, if the evidence so warrants, require the fishing vessel to proceed immediately to a port designated by that flag Member State for a thorough inspection under its authority and in the presence of a NEAFC inspector from any other Contracting Party that wishes to participate.

3.

The flag Member State may authorise the inspecting State to bring without delay the fishing vessel to a port designated by the flag Member State.

4.

If the fishing vessel is not called to port, the flag Member State shall provide due justification in a timely manner to EFCA and the Commission, which shall forward the information to the inspecting Contracting Party and the NEAFC Secretariat.

5.

Where a fishing vessel is required to proceed to port for a thorough inspection pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3, a NEAFC inspector from another Contracting Party may, subject to the consent of the flag Member State of the fishing vessel, board and remain on board the fishing vessel as it proceeds to port and may be present during the inspection of the fishing vessel in port.

6.

Flag Member States shall promptly inform the Commission and EFCA of the outcome of the inspection and of the measures that they have adopted as a result of the infringement.

Article 39
Measures to ensure compliance

Member States shall ensure that appropriate measures are systematically taken, including administrative action or criminal proceedings in conformity with their national law, against the natural or legal persons responsible for a breach of the applicable conservation and management measures adopted by NEAFC that are enforceable on them.

Article 40
Reports on surveillance and inspection activities, on infringements and their follow-up and on IUU activities
1.

By 1 February each year, each Member State shall report to EFCA and the Commission the following information:

  • (a) the number of inspections it has carried out under Articles 22, 23 and 31, specifying the number of inspections by flag State of the inspected fishing vessel and, in the case of infringement, the date and position of the respective fishing vessel and the nature of infringement;
  • (b) the number of hours flown and the number of hours at sea on NEAFC patrols, the number of sightings by flag State of the sighted vessels and the list of individual fishing vessels for which a surveillance report has been completed;
  • (c) the number of inspections of non-Contracting Party vessels that it conducted under the NEAFC Scheme at sea or in its ports, the names of the vessels inspected and their respective flag States, the dates of the inspections, the names of any ports where the inspections were conducted and the results of such inspections;
  • (d) where fish are landed or transhipped following an inspection pursuant to the NEAFC Scheme, the evidence presented pursuant to Article 46; and
  • (e) the status of the proceedings concerning each infringement of the conservation and management measures adopted by NEAFC which were committed during the previous calendar year with those infringements continuing to be listed in each subsequent report until the proceedings are concluded in accordance with the relevant provisions of national law; the report shall indicate the status of the proceedings and in particular whether the case is pending, under appeal or still under investigation, and the report shall furthermore describe in specific terms any sanctions or penalties imposed, stating in particular the amount of fines, the value of forfeited fish or gear, any written warnings given and, if no action has been taken, the reasons therefor.
2.

The information referred to in paragraph 1 shall be provided in conformity with the templates adopted by NEAFC.

3.

EFCA shall compile a Union report on the basis of the reports of the Member States and the information available under the Union joint inspection and surveillance scheme. EFCA shall send the Union report to the Commission by 20 February each year. The Commission shall send the Union report to the NEAFC Secretariat by 1 March each year.

SECTION 7 Measures to promote compliance by non-Contracting Party fishing vessels

Article 41
Scope

This Section applies to non-Contracting Parties’ fishing vessels used or intended for use for fishing activities carried out in respect of fishery resources in the Convention Area.

Article 42
Sightings and identifications of non-Contracting Party fishing vessels
1.

Member States or EFCA shall transmit without delay any information regarding non-Contracting Party vessels sighted or otherwise identified as engaging in fishing activities in the Convention Area to EFCA with the Commission in copy. EFCA shall inform promptly the NEAFC Secretariat and all other Member States of each sighting report it receives.

2.

EFCA or the Member State which sighted the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel shall attempt to inform that vessel without delay that it has been sighted or by other means identified as engaging in fishing activities in the Convention Area and, unless its flag State has been accorded the status of active cooperating non-Contracting Party by NEAFC, is consequently presumed to be undermining the conservation and management measures adopted by NEAFC.

3.

In the case of a non-Contracting Party fishing vessel sighted or by other means identified as engaging in transhipment activities, the presumption of undermining the NEAFC conservation and management measures adopted by NEAFC applies to any other non-Contracting Party fishing vessel that has been identified as having engaged in such activities with that vessel.

Article 43
Inspections at sea
1.

NEAFC inspectors shall request permission to board and inspect non-Contracting Party fishing vessels sighted or otherwise identified by a Contracting Party as engaging in fishing activities in the Convention Area. If the master consents to the boarding and inspection of the vessel, the inspection shall be documented by the completion of an inspection report as set out in Annex XVIII.

2.

NEAFC inspectors shall without delay transmit a copy of the inspection report to the master of the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel, to the Commission and to EFCA. EFCA shall forward the copy promptly to the NEAFC Secretariat. Where the evidence in that report so warrants, a Member State shall take appropriate action in accordance with international law.

3.

If the master does not consent to the boarding and inspection of the vessel or does not fulfil any one of the obligations laid down in Article 24, points (b) to (f), the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel shall be presumed to have engaged in IUU fishing activities. The NEAFC inspector shall inform without delay EFCA and the Commission. The Commission shall promptly inform the NEAFC Secretariat.

Article 44
Entry into port
1.

The masters of a non-Contracting Party fishing vessel intending to call at port shall notify the competent authorities of the port Member State in accordance with Article 28. The port Member State concerned shall forward that information without delay to the flag State of the fishing vessel and to the NEAFC Secretariat with the Commission and EFCA in copy.

2.

The port Member State shall prohibit the entry into its ports of non-Contracting Party fishing vessels that have not given the required prior notice of entry or provided the information referred to in paragraph 1.

3.

The port Member State shall communicate without delay the decision to prohibit the entry into port to the master of the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel or to a representative of the master, to the flag State of the vessel and to the NEAFC Secretariat with the Commission and EFCA in copy.

Article 45
Inspections in port
1.

Member States shall ensure that all non-Contracting Party fishing vessels allowed to enter one of their ports are inspected in accordance with Article 31(4) to (8). The non-Contracting Party fishing vessel shall not be allowed to land or tranship any fish until the inspection is completed. Each inspection shall be documented by the completion of an inspection report as provided for in Article 33.

2.

Where the master of the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel has failed to fulfil any of the obligations laid down in Article 24, points (b) to (f), the vessel shall be presumed to have engaged in IUU activities.

3.

The port Member State shall immediately transmit the information on the results of all inspections of non-Contracting Party fishing vessels conducted in its ports and concerning subsequent action to the NEAFC Secretariat with the Commission and EFCA in copy.

Article 46
Landings, transhipments and use of port
1.

Landings, transhipments or other use of port by non-Contracting Party vessels may only start after authorisation has been given by the competent authorities of the port Member State in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008.

2.

When a non-Contracting Party fishing vessel has entered the port, Member States shall deny that vessel landing, transhipping, processing and packaging of fishery resources and other port services, including refuelling, resupplying, maintenance and dry-docking, if:

  • (a) the vessel has been inspected pursuant to Article 45 and the inspection reveals that there are species on board which are subject to NEAFC recommendations, unless the master of that fishing vessel provides satisfactory evidence to the competent authorities proving that the fish were caught outside the Regulatory Area or in compliance with all relevant NEAFC recommendations;
  • (b) the flag State of that fishing vessel or the flag State or States of donor fishing vessels when the vessel has engaged in transhipment operations do not provide the confirmation in accordance with Article 29;
  • (c) the master of that vessel has failed to fulfil any one of the obligations laid down in Article 24, points (b) to (f);
  • (d) Member States have received clear evidence that the fishery resources on board were taken in the waters under the jurisdiction of a Contracting Party in contravention of applicable regulations; or
  • (e) Member States have sufficient proof that the vessel has otherwise been engaged in IUU fishing activities in the Convention Area or has supported such fishing activities.
3.

In the case of denial pursuant to paragraph 2, Member States shall communicate their decision to the master of the non-Contracting Party fishing vessel or to a representative of the master and to the NEAFC Secretariat with the Commission and EFCA in copy.

4.

Member States shall withdraw their denial of the use of their ports in respect of a non-Contracting Party fishing vessel only if there is sufficient proof that the grounds on which use was denied were inadequate or erroneous or that such grounds no longer exist.

5.

Where a Member State has withdrawn its denial pursuant to paragraph 4, it shall promptly notify those to whom a communication was made pursuant to paragraph 3.

Article 47
Action against vessels appearing in the NEAFC IUU vessel lists
1.

Member States shall ensure that fishing vessels appearing in the NEAFC provisional (‘A’) or confirmed (‘B’) lists of vessels carrying out IUU fishing are:

  • (a) inspected in accordance with Article 45 when they enter their ports;
  • (b) not authorised to land or tranship in their ports;
  • (c) not given assistance in any way or allowed to participate in any transhipment or joint fisheries operations by fishing vessels, support vessels, refuel vessels, mother-ships and cargo vessels flying their flag; and
  • (d) not supplied with provisions, fuel or other services.
2.

Paragraph 1, points (b), (c) and (d), shall not apply to vessels appearing on the NEAFC IUU ‘A’ list where a recommendation has been made to NEAFC that the vessels in question should be removed from the ‘A’ list.

3.

Further to the measures referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall take the following measures regarding vessels appearing on the ‘B’ list:

  • (a) prohibit the entry into their ports of such vessels and communicate such prohibition in accordance with Article 44(3);
  • (b) prohibit the authorisation of such vessels to fish in waters under their national jurisdiction;
  • (c) prohibit the chartering of such vessels;
  • (d) refuse the granting of their flag to such vessels;
  • (e) prohibit the imports of fish coming from such vessels;
  • (f) prohibit importers, transporters and other sectors concerned from transhipping and trading of fishery products caught by such vessels; and
  • (g) collect and exchange any appropriate information with other Member States and Contracting Parties other than the Union or cooperating non-Contracting Parties with the aim of detecting, controlling and preventing false import/export certificates regarding fishery products from such vessels.
4.

Paragraph 1, point (d), and paragraph 3, points (a) and (d), shall not apply where Contracting Parties are permitted to supply provisions, fuel or other services or grant their flag to a vessel on the IUU list following a recommendation made to NEAFC based on satisfactory evidence showing that a vessel is destined for scrapping or permanent reassigment for purposes other than fishing activities.

TITLE III MEASURES APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN PELAGIC FISHERIES

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 48
Scope

Unless otherwise provided, this Title applies to Union fishing vessels and third country fishing vessels operating in Union waters engaged in fisheries on herring (Clupea harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the following geographical areas:

  • (a) the Convention Area; and
  • (b) Union waters of CECAF.

CHAPTER II PELAGIC FISHERIES

Article 49
Catch handling and discharge restrictions on pelagic fishing vessels
1.

The maximum space between bars in the water separator on board pelagic fishing vessels shall be 10 mm. The bars shall be welded in place. If holes are used in the water separator instead of bars, the maximum diameter of the holes shall not exceed 10 mm. Holes in the chutes before the water separator shall not exceed 15 mm in diameter.

2.

The master of a pelagic fishing vessel shall carry on board at all times drawings related to the catch handling and discharge capabilities. The drawings and any modification thereto shall be certified by the competent authorities of the flag Member State. The master shall send a copy of the drawings and any modifications thereto to the competent fisheries authorities of the flag Member State, which shall carry out periodic verifications on the accuracy of the drawings.

3.

Pelagic fishing vessels are prohibited from discharging fish under their water line, including from buffer tanks or refrigerated seawater tanks.

4.

Any discharge points under the waterline shall be sealed. However, the flag Member States may issue a fishing authorisation in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 allowing a discharge point under the waterline not to be sealed, provided that:

  • (a) any use of the discharge point can be monitored by the control authorities by remote electronic means; and
  • (b) the discharge point and associated electronic monitoring means are described in the certified drawings referred to in paragraph 2.
Article 50
Restrictions on the use of automatic grading equipment
1.

The carrying or use on board a fishing vessel of equipment capable of automatically grading by size herring, mackerel, blue whiting or horse mackerel is prohibited.

2.

By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the carrying on board and use of such equipment is permitted provided that:

  • (a) the whole of the catch which may be lawfully retained on board is stored in a frozen state, the graded fish are frozen immediately after grading, processing and packing and no graded fish is returned to the sea except for by-products such as offal or heads, and the equipment is installed and located on the vessel in such a way as to ensure immediate freezing and not to allow the return of marine species to the sea;
  • (b) the grading equipment on board the vessel has been removed from a power source and sealed by competent authorities prior to the start of the fishing trip rendering the grading system unable to be used until the competent authorities remove the seals;
  • (c) the fishing vessel is equipped with remote electronic monitoring systems on board for the purpose of verifying compliance with the landing obligation; or
  • (d) the fishing vessel has an observer on board with the purpose of monitoring compliance with the landing obligation.
Article 51
Move-on provisions

Masters of fishing vessels shall change the fishing area in which they operate from any position of a previous fishing operation in which more than 10 % by live weight of the catches of any of the species referred to in Article 48 consist of catches below the relevant minimum conservation reference sizes.

CHAPTER III SPECIAL RULES FOR WEIGHING AND PROCESSING FACILITIES

Article 52
Remote surveillance
1.

Port Member States shall ensure surveillance by camera and sensor technologies for landings exceeding 10 tonnes at landing and processing facilities where more than 3 000  tonnes per year, in total, of the species referred to in Article 48 are weighed. For that purpose, Member States shall make publicly available a list of their ports that meet those thresholds and where those requirements are to apply.

2.

The surveillance shall apply to the landing and processing locations and facilities and cover the flow of landed fish until the weighing has been completed. This requirement does not apply during the transportation of landed catches to the processing and weighing facility.

3.

The person responsible for the weighing shall:

  • (a) provide the competent authorities with live stream and real-time access to the surveillance data; and
  • (b) store the surveillance data for a minimum period of six months and a maximum period of three years and provide the competent authorities with a copy of the stored data on request.
4.

The data obtained in accordance with this Article shall be used solely for fisheries control purposes and shall not be used for the identification of natural persons.

TITLE IV FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 53
Data management, protection of personal data and confidentiality
1.

Personal data required for the application of Article 7(2), Article 13, Article 14(1), Article 15(1), Article 16(1), point (d), Article 17(3), (4) and (5), Article 20(2), Article 21(2) to (5), (7) and (8), Article 22(2) and (3), Article 23(11) and (12), Article 24, points (f) and (g), Article 27(1) and (2), Article 28(1) and (2), Article 30(3) and (4), Article 31(5), Articles 33 and 34, Article 35(1), Article 37(1), Article 38(1), Article 39, Article 40(1) and (3), Article 42(1), Article 43(1) and (2), Article 45(3), Article 47(1) and (3), Article 49(2) and (4), Article 50(2), points (c) and (d), and Article 52 shall be collected and processed by the authorities of the Member States, EFCA and the Commission for the following purposes:

  • (a) complying with the obligations of identifying relevant contact points and carrying out data exchanges of fisheries data in accordance with Articles 7, 8, 13 to 19, 21, 22, 27 to 31, 33, 34, 35, 37 to 40, 42 to 46, 49, 50 and 52;
  • (b) monitoring of fishing opportunities including quota uptake in accordance with Article 18;
  • (c) validation of data in accordance with Article 17;
  • (d) monitoring, control, inspection and surveillance of fishing activities in accordance with Articles 19 to 47; and
  • (e) enquiries pertaining to complaints, infringements, and judicial or administrative proceedings, in accordance with Articles 35 to 40 and 42 to 47.
2.

Personal data received in accordance with this Regulation shall not be stored for longer than is necessary for the purpose for which they were collected and, in any event, no longer than five years from the collection, except for personal data that is necessary to allow the follow-up of complaints, infringements and judicial or administrative proceedings, which may be retained until the end of the concerned procedure, administrative or judicial proceedings or the time needed for the application of sanctions. If the information is retained for a longer period, the data shall be anonymised.

3.

The authorities of the Member States shall be regarded as controllers as defined in Article 4, point (7), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 in relation to the processing of personal data which they collect and transmit pursuant to this Regulation.

4.

The Commission and EFCA shall be each regarded as controllers as defined in Article 3, point (8), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 in relation to the processing of personal data which they collect and transmit pursuant to this Regulation.

5.

In addition to the obligations set out in Regulations (EU) 2016/679 and (EU) 2018/1725, the authorities of the Member States, EFCA and the Commission shall each:

  • (a) ensure confidential treatment when transmitting and receiving electronic data;
  • (b) take the necessary measures to comply with the confidentiality and security provisions set out in Recommendations approved by NEAFC, including appropriate encryption protocols to ensure confidentiality and authenticity;
  • (c) where necessary, at the request of the NEAFC Secretariat, rectify or erase electronic reports or messages processed in a manner which does not comply with this Regulation;
  • (d) ensure that electronic data is stored and used only for monitoring, control, inspection and enforcement or other purposes specified in this Regulation; and
  • (e) ensure that all transmission of electronic data use data communication systems duly tested with the NEAFC Secretariat.
6.

The authorities of the Member States, EFCA and the Commission shall each ensure the security of the processing of personal data in respect of the processing of personal data that takes place for the application of this Regulation, including the processing of personal data by the authorities having a right to access relevant fisheries databases. In particular, they shall adopt the necessary measures, including a business continuity plan and measures to comply with the Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for the Information Security Management System adopted by NEAFC Recommendation 08:2014, in order to:

  • (a) physically protect data, including by making contingency plans for the protection of critical infrastructure;
  • (b) prevent the unauthorised reading, copying, modification or removal of data media;
  • (c) prevent the unauthorised input of data and the unauthorised access, modification or deletion of recorded personal data;
  • (d) prevent the unauthorised processing of data and any unauthorised copying, modification or deletion of data;
  • (e) ensure that persons authorised to access the relevant fisheries data bases have access only to the data covered by their access authorisation, by means of individual user identities and confidential access modes only;
  • (f) ensure that it is possible to verify and establish to which bodies personal data may be transmitted and what data has been processed in the relevant fisheries data bases, when, by whom and for what purpose;
  • (g) prevent the unauthorised reading, copying, modification or deletion of personal data during the transmission of personal data to or from the relevant fisheries data bases or during the transport of data media, in particular by means of appropriate encryption techniques; and
  • (h) monitor the effectiveness of the security measures referred to in this paragraph and take the necessary organisational measures related to internal monitoring to ensure compliance with this Regulation.
7.

The obligations laid down in Article 113 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 shall apply to the data collected and received within the framework of this Regulation.

Article 54
Procedure for amendments
1.

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 in order to implement measures adopted by NEAFC amending:

  • (a) the procedures for the notification of contact points referred to in Article 7(1), (2) and (3);
  • (b) the procedures for the transmission of notifications and authorisations of fishing vessels provided for in Article 8(1) and (2);
  • (c) the requirements for stowage plans set out in Article 13(3), point (b);
  • (d) the procedures for communications of transhipments set out in Article 15(1), (2) and (3);
  • (e) the procedures for communications to the NEAFC Secretariat set out in Article 17(1) and (8);
  • (f) the procedures for the global reporting of catch and fishing effort provided for in Article 18;
  • (g) the procedures for the notification of deployments of inspection vessels and aircraft set out in Article 21(7);
  • (h) the surveillance procedure set out in Article 22;
  • (i) the procedures for the notification of infringements referred to in Article 34(2) and (3);
  • (j) the list of regulated resources set out in the Annex I;
  • (k) the list of VME indicator species set out in Annex II;
  • (l) the coordinates of the existing bottom fishing areas set out in Annex III;
  • (m) the technical measures applicable in the Regulatory Area set out in Annex IV;
  • (n) the data elements of the messages set out in Annex V;
  • (o) the data elements of the production logbook set out in Annex VI;
  • (p) the list of codes of product form, type of packing, type of container and type of processing set out in Annex VII;
  • (q) the data elements of the electronic fishing logbook, transhipment and port of landing reports set out in Annex VIII;
  • (r) the data transmission format and data elements set out in Annex XI;
  • (s) the FMC marking procedures set out in Annex XII;
  • (t) the data elements for the notification of inspector and inspection platforms set out in Annex XIV;
  • (u) the data elements for the notification of surveillance activities set out in Annex XVI;
  • (v) the data elements for the transmission of surveillance and sighting reports set out in Annex XVII;
  • (w) the inspection report templates set out in Annex XVIII and XXIII;
  • (x) the rules on the construction and use of boarding ladders set out in Annex XIX;
  • (y) the data elements of the notification of designation of ports set out in Annex XX; and
  • (z) the template of the port State control forms set out in Annex XXI.
2.

Amendments in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be strictly limited to the implementation of measures amending or supplementing the NEAFC Scheme and other NEAFC Recommendations.

3.

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 amending Title III to adapt it to measures endorsed by the Union and other North-East Atlantic coastal States, as documented in an agreed record of proceedings, in consultations relating to the control of the fisheries referred to in Article 48, or adopted within the framework of NEAFC, concerning:

  • (a) the restrictions for pelagic vessels on catch handling and discharge set out in Article 49;
  • (b) the derogations from the prohibition on use of automatic grading equipment set out in Article 50(2);
  • (c) the move-on provisions referred to in Article 51; and
  • (d) the thresholds referred to in Article 52.
4.

Amendments in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article shall be strictly limited to the implementation of measures which amend or supplement the control of the fisheries referred to in Article 48:

  • (a) endorsed by the Union and other North-East Atlantic coastal States in consultations; or
  • (b) adopted within the framework of NEAFC and which are binding on the Union.
Article 55
Exercise of the delegation
1.

The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.

The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 54 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of 5 years from 1 December 2023. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than 9 months before the end of the 5-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than 3 months before the end of each period.

3.

The delegation of power referred to in Article 54 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4.

Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5.

As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6.

A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 54 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by 2 months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Article 56
Amendments to other Regulations
1.

In Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Articles 54b and 54c are deleted.

2.

In Regulation (EU) 2019/1241, Article 5, point (h), Chapter VI and Annex XII are deleted.

Article 57
Repeals
1.

Regulations (EEC) No 1899/85, (EEC) No 1638/87 and (EU) No 1236/2010 are repealed.

2.

References to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as references to this Regulation.

Article 58
Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 49 (4) and Article 52 shall apply from 1 January 2026.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

ANNEX I

REGULATED RESOURCES

1. Pelagic and oceanic species

Stock (common name) FAO code Scientific name ICES subareas and divisions
Redfish REB Sebastes mentella 1, 2, 5, 12, 14
Norwegian spring spawning herring (Atlanto-Scandian) HER Clupea harengus 1, 2, 4a, 5, 14
Blue whiting WHB Micromesistius poutassou 1-9, 12, 14
Mackerel MAC Scomber scombrus 1-8, 9a, 12, 14
Capelin CAP Mallotus villosus 1, 2, 5, 14
Horse mackerel HOM Trachurus trachurus 2a, 4a, 5b, 6a, 7a-c and e-k, 8

2. Deep-sea species

Stock (common name) FAO code Scientific name ICES subareas
Baird’s smooth head ALC Alepocephalus bairdii 1 to 14
Risso’s smooth head PHO Alepocephalus rostratus 1 to 14
Blue antimora (Blue hake) ANT Antimora rostrata 1 to 14
Black scabbard fish BSF Aphanopus carbo 1 to 14
Iceland catshark API Apristurus spp. 1 to 14
Argentines ARG Argentina spp. 1 to 14
Greater argentine ARU Argentina silus 1 to 14
Alfonsinos nei ALF Beryx spp. 1 to 14
Tusk USK Brosme brosme 1 to 14
Gulper shark GUP Centrophorus granulosus 1 to 14
Leafscale gulper shark GUQ Centrophorus squamosus 1 to 14
Black dogfish CFB Centroscyllium fabricii 1 to 14
Portuguese dogfish CYO Centroscymnus coelolepis 1 to 14
Longnose velvet dogfish CYP Centroscymnus crepidater 1 to 14
Deep-water red crab KEF Chaceon (Geryon) affinis 1 to 14
Red gurnard GUR Chelidonichthys cuculus 1 to 14
Rabbit fish (Rattail) CMO Chimaera monstrosa 1 to 14
Opal chimaera WCH Chimaera opalescens 1 to 14
Frilled shark HXC Chlamydoselachus anguineus 1 to 14
Conger eel COE Conger conger 1 to 14
Roundnose grenadier RNG Coryphaenoides rupestris 1 to 14
Kitefin shark SCK Dalatias licha 1 to 14
Birdbeak dogfish DCA Deania calcea 1 to 14
Black (Deep-water) cardinal fish EPI Epigonus telescopus 1 to 14
Lantern sharks nei SHL Etmopterus spp. 1 to 14
Greater lantern shark ETR Etmopterus princeps 1 to 14
Velvet belly ETX Etmopterus spinax 1 to 14
Cod COD Gadus morhua 1 to 14
Blackmouth dogfish SHO Galeus melastomus 1 to 14
Mouse catshark GAM Galeus murinus 1 to 14
Smallspine spookfish HCH Harriotta haeckeli 1 to 14
Pacific longnose chimaera HCR Harriotta raleighana 1 to 14
Bluemouth (Blue mouth redfish) BRF Helicolenus dactylopterus 1 to 14
Bluntnose six-gilled shark SBL Hexanchus griseus 1 to 14
Orange roughy ORY Hoplostethus atlanticus 1 to 14
Silver roughy (Pink) HPR Hoplostethus mediterraneus 1 to 14
Small-eyed rabbitfish CYA Hydrolagus affinis 1 to 14
Large-eyed rabbit fish (Ratfish) CYH Hydrolagus mirabilis 1 to 14
Portuguese rabbitfish KXA Hydrolagus lusitanicus 1 to 14
Pale chimaera CYZ Hydrolagus pallidus 1 to 14
Silver scabbard fish (Cutless fish) SFS Lepidopus caudatus 1 to 14
Megrim LEZ Lepidorhombus spp. 1 to 14
Greater eelpout LXK Lycodes esmarkii 1 to 14
Roughhead grenadier (Rough rattail) RHG Macrourus berglax 1 to 14
Whiting WHG Merlangius merlangus 1 to 14
Haddock HAD Melanogrammus aeglefinus 1 to 14
Hake HKE Merluccius merluccius 1 to 14
Blueling BLI Molva dypterygia 1 to 14
Ling LIN Molva molva 1 to 14
Common mora RIB Mora moro 1 to 14
Sailfin roughshark (Sharpback shark) OXN Oxynotus paradoxus 1 to 14
Red (blackspot) seabream SBR Pagellus bogaraveo 1 to 14
Northern shrimp PRA Pandalus borealis 1 to 14
Forkbeards nei FOX Phycis spp. 1 to 14
Greater forkbeard GFB Phycis blennoides 1 to 14
Saithe POK Pollachius virens 1 to 14
Wreckfish WRF Polyprion americanus 1 to 14
Round skate RJY Rajella fyllae 1 to 14
Arctic skate RJG Amblyraja hyperborea 1 to 14
Norwegian skate JAD Dipturus nidarosiensis 1 to 14
Greenland halibut GHL Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 1 to 14
Straightnose rabbitfish RCT Rhinochimaera atlantica 1 to 14
Knifetooth dogfish SYR Scymnodon ringens 1 to 14
Golden redfish REG Sebastes norvegicus 1 to 14
Small redfish (Norway haddock) SFV Sebastes viviparus 1 to 14
Greenland shark GSK Somniosus microcephalus 1 to 14
Spiny (Deep-sea) scorpionfish TJX Trachyscorpia cristulata 1 to 14
Roughsnout grenadier TSU Trachyrincus scabrus 1 to 14
Grenadiers RTX Macrouridae 1 to 14
Eelpout ELP Zoarces viviparus 1 to 14

3. Other regulated resources

Stock (common name) FAO code Scientific name ICES subareas
Porbeagle [^E0011] POR Lamna nasus 1 to 14
Spiny dogfish/spurdog DGS Squalus acanthias 1 to 14
Basking shark [^E0011] BSK Cetorhinus maximus 1 to 14

As long as the NEAFC Recommendations on these stocks are in effect.

ANNEX II

VME INDICATOR SPECIES

The following is a list of seven habitat types as well as physical elements for the Regulatory Area, with the taxa most likely to be found in these habitats, which shall be considered as VME indicators.

VME habitat type Representative taxa
1. Cold-water coral reef 1. Cold-water coral reef
(a) Lophelia pertusa reef (b) Solenosmilia variabilis reef Lophelia pertusa Solenosmilia variabilis
2. Coral garden 2. Coral garden
(a) Hard-bottom garden (a) Hard-bottom garden
(i) Hard-bottom gorgonian and black coral gardens Anthothelidae Chrysogorgiidae Isididae, Keratoisidinae Plexauridae Acanthogorgiidae Coralliidae Paragorgiidae Primnoidae Schizopathidae
(ii) Colonial scleractinians on rocky outcrops Lophelia pertusa Solenosmilia variabilis
(iii) Non-reefal scleractinian aggregations Enallopsammia rostrata Madrepora oculata
(b) Soft-bottom coral gardens (b) Soft-bottom coral gardens
(i) Soft-bottom gorgonian and black coral gardens Chrysogorgiidae
(ii) Cup-coral fields Caryophylliidae Flabellidae
(iii) Cauliflower coral fields Nephtheidae
3. Deep-sea sponge aggregations 3. Deep-sea sponge aggregations
Other sponge aggregations Geodiidae Ancorinidae Pachastrellidae
Hard-bottom sponge gardens Axinellidae Mycalidae Polymastiidae Tetillidae
Glass sponge communities Rossellidae Pheronematidae
Seapen fields Anthoptilidae Pennatulidae Funiculinidae Halipteridae Kophobelemnidae Protoptilidae Umbellulidae Vigulariidae
Tube-dwelling anemone patches Cerianthidae
Mud- and sand-emergent fauna Bourgetcrinidae Antedontidae Hyocrinidae Xenophyophora Syringamminidae
Bryzoan patches
Physical elements Explanation
--- ---
Isolated seamounts Non-MAR seamounts
Steep-slopes and peaks on mid-ocean ridges Steep ridges and peaks support coral gardens and other VME species in high density
Knolls A typographic feature that rises less than 1 000  m from the seafloor
Canyon-like features A steep-sided ‘catchment’ feature not necessarily associated with a shelf, island or bank margin
Steep flanks >6,4 From NAFO SCR Doc. 11/73

ANNEX III

EXISTING BOTTOM FISHING AREAS

1. Existing fishing area: coordinates of Hatton Bank (HAR 1–5)

HAR 1
HAR 1 HAR 1 HAR 1 HAR 1 HAR 1
lat lon LAT LON
1 60.0557 -14.2048 60o 03.34′ -14o 12.29′
2 59.6708 -14.0275 59o 40.25′ -14o 01.65′
3 59.5262 -14.2562 59o 31.57′ -14o 15.37′
4 59.3197 -14.6393 59o 19.18′ -14o 38.36′
5 59.2495 -14.8738 59o 14.97′ -14o 52.43′
6 59.1178 -14.9539 59o 07.07′ -14o 57.23′
7 59.0620 -15.7430 59o 03.72′ -15o 44.58′
8 58.9765 -15.9202 58o 58.59′ -15o 55.21′
9 59.0620 -16.3034 59o 03.72′ -16o 18.20′
10 59.2992 -16.5207 59o 17.95′ -16o 31.24′
11 59.6160 -16.5207 59o 36.96′ -16o 31.24′
12 59.6160 -15.4456 59o 36.96′ -15o 26.74′
13 59.8005 -14.8280 59o 48.03′ -14o 49.68′
14 60.0670 -14.3420 60o 04.02′ -14o 20.52′
15 60.0557 -14.2048 60o 03.34′ -14o 12.29′
HAR 2
HAR 2 HAR 2 HAR 2 HAR 2 HAR 2
lat lon LAT LON
1 59.6998 -16.7094 59o 41.99′ -16o 42.56′
2 59.2496 -16.8066 59o 14.97′ -16o 48.39′
3 59.1530 -17.4699 59o 09.18′ -17o 28.19′
4 58.9913 -17.3384 58o 59.48′ -17o 20.30′
5 59.0884 -16.9552 59o 05.30′ -16o 57.31′
6 58.9618 -16.7094 58o 57.71′ -16o 42.56′
7 58.4600 -17.4584 58o 27.60′ -17o 27.51′
8 58.1897 -17.5156 58o 11.38′ -17o 30.94′
9 58.0901 -17.2297 58o 05.41′ -17o 13.78′
10 57.9720 -17.2412 57o 58.32′ -17o 14.47′
11 57.9144 -17.1039 57o 54.86′ -17o 06.23′
12 57.8292 -17.0925 57o 49.75′ -17o 05.55′
13 57.5511 -17.7844 57o 33.07′ -17o 47.06′
14 57.4928 -18.2075 57o 29.57′ -18o 12.45′
15 57.2955 -18.4935 57o 17.73′ -18o 29.61′
16 57.2151 -18.8194 57o 12.91′ -18o 49.16′
17 57.0662 -19.3512 57o 03.97′ -19o 21.07′
18 56.4992 -19.5399 56o 29.95′ -19o 32.39′
19 56.6127 -20.0202 56o 36.76′ -20o 01.21′
20 56.3791 -20.4377 56o 22.75′ -20o 26.26′
21 56.3791 -20.6435 56o 22.75′ -20o 38.61′
22 56.4992 -20.8494 56o 29.95′ -20o 50.96′
23 56.6190 -20.8494 56o 37.14′ -20o 50.96′
24 56.8354 -20.4262 56o 50.13′ -20o 25.57′
25 57.2368 -20.5635 57o 14.21′ -20o 33.81′
26 57.5818 -20.5635 57o 34.91′ -20o 33.81′
27 57.8566 -20.1803 57o 51.40′ -20o 10.82′
28 57.9235 -19.8830 57o 55.41′ -19o 52.98′
29 58.4809 -19.2425 58o 28.85′ -19o 14.55′
30 58.6806 -19.2826 58o 40.84′ -19o 16.95′
31 58.9766 -18.9967 58o 58.59′ -18o 59.80′
32 59.2145 -18.2876 59o 12.87′ -18o 17.26′
33 59.2700 -17.9216 59o 16.20′ -17o 55.30′
34 59.5001 -17.6643 59o 30.01′ -17o 39.86′
35 59.6998 -16.7094 59o 41.99′ -16o 42.56′
HAR 3
HAR 3 HAR 3 HAR 3 HAR 3 HAR 3
lat lon LAT LON
1 54.9406 -17.2011 54o 56.44′ -17o 12.07′
2 54.5810 -18.0303 54o 34.86′ -18o 01.82′
3 54.4083 -18.3962 54o 24.50′ -18o 23.77′
4 54.4781 -19.0538 54o 28.69′ -19o 03.23′
5 54.4150 -19.3112 54o 24.90′ -19o 18.67′
6 53.9767 -19.9516 53o 58.60′ -19o 57.10′
7 54.1847 -20.1289 54o 11.08′ -20o 07.73′
8 54.3350 -20.1003 54o 20.10′ -20o 06.02′
9 54.6373 -19.3912 54o 38.24′ -19o 23.47′
10 54.9800 -19.2540 54o 58.80′ -19o 15.24′
11 55.0685 -18.7393 55o 04.11′ -18o 44.36′
12 55.4303 -18.6822 55o 25.82′ -18o 40.93′
13 55.4076 -18.4134 55o 24.46′ -18o 24.80′
14 55.1438 -17.7730 55o 08.63′ -17o 46.38′
15 54.9505 -18.0303 54o 57.03′ -18o 01.82′
16 54.9800 -17.1325 54o 58.80′ -17o 07.95′
17 54.9406 -17.2011 54o 56.44′ -17o 12.07′
HAR 4
HAR 4 HAR 4 HAR 4 HAR 4 HAR 4
lat lon LAT LON
1 58.4869 -14.7537 58o 29.21′ -14o 45.22′
2 58.0659 -14.7766 58o 03.96′ -14o 46.59′
3 57.4928 -14.6851 57o 29.57′ -14o 41.11′
4 56.9385 -14.5479 56o 56.31′ -14o 32.87′
5 56.5812 -14.3020 56o 34.87′ -14o 18.12′
6 55.5696 -15.4571 55o 34.18′ -15o 27.42′
7 55.5146 -15.7887 55o 30.88′ -15o 47.32′
8 55.3914 -15.9488 55o 23.48′ -15o 56.93′
9 55.2116 -16.7523 55o 12.69′ -16o 45.14′
10 55.2884 -16.8972 55o 17.30′ -16o 53.83′
11 55.4329 -16.8667 55o 25.98′ -16o 52.00′
12 55.5223 -16.6862 55o 31.34′ -16o 41.17′
13 55.5081 -17.5842 55o 30.49′ -17o 35.05′
14 55.5656 -17.6744 55o 33.94′ -17o 40.46′
15 55.2221 -18.0232 55o 13.32′ -18o 01.39′
16 55.3183 -18.2793 55o 19.10′ -18o 16.76′
17 55.6856 -17.9905 55o 41.14′ -17o 59.43′
18 55.7960 -17.8706 55o 47.76′ -17o 52.23′
19 56.4973 -17.7834 56o 29.84′ -17o 47.00′
20 56.5994 -17.8215 56o 35.97′ -17o 49.29′
21 56.6983 -17.6308 56o 41.90′ -17o 37.85′
22 56.7509 -17.3955 56o 45.05′ -17o 23.73′
23 56.8948 -17.1325 56o 53.69′ -17o 07.95′
24 56.9167 -16.7780 56o 55.00′ -16o 46.68′
25 57.1904 -16.7094 57o 11.42′ -16o 42.56′
26 57.1532 -15.7887 57o 09.19′ -15o 47.32′
27 57.2708 -15.3942 57o 16.25′ -15o 23.65′
28 57.6188 -15.3054 57o 37.13′ -15o 18.32′
29 57.8415 -15.3104 57o 50.49′ -15o 18.63′
30 57.9537 -15.4859 57o 57.22′ -15o 29.15′
31 58.0668 -15.4376 58o 04.01′ -15o 26.26′
32 58.2131 -15.4859 58o 12.79′ -15o 29.15′
33 58.3882 -15.2392 58o 23.29′ -15o 14.35′
34 58.3628 -15.1350 58o 21.77′ -15o 08.10′
35 58.5018 -14.9024 58o 30.11′ -14o 54.14′
36 58.4869 -14.7537 58o 29.21′ -14o 45.22′
HAR 5
HAR 5 HAR 5 HAR 5 HAR 5 HAR 5
lat lon LAT LON
1 55.8531 -19.9630 55o 51.19′ -19o 57.78′
2 55.4368 -19.7457 55o 26.21′ -19o 44.74′
3 55.3361 -20.2375 55o 20.17′ -20o 14.25′
4 55.4855 -20.7236 55o 29.13′ -20o 43.41′
5 55.7856 -20.4548 55o 47.14′ -20o 27.29′
6 55.8531 -19.9630 55o 51.19′ -19o 57.78′

2. Existing fishing area: coordinates of Josephine Seamount (JOS 1)

JOS 1
JOS 1 JOS 1 JOS 1 JOS 1 JOS 1
Lat lon LAT LON
1 37.0621 -14.1703 37o 03.73′ -14o 10.22′
2 36.7150 -14.1044 36o 42.90′ -14o 06.26′
3 36.5521 -14.1854 36o 33.12′ -14o 11.13′
4 36.5622 -14.2668 36o 33.73′ -14o 16.01′
5 36.7029 -14.5385 36o 42.17′ -14o 32.31′
6 36.8795 -14.5560 36o 52.77′ -14o 33.36′
7 37.0560 -14.2415 37o 03.36′ -14o 14.49′
8 37.0621 -14.1703 37o 03.73′ -14o 10.22′

3. Existing fishing area: coordinates of Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR 1–5)

MAR 1
MAR 1 MAR 1 MAR 1 MAR 1 MAR 1
Lat lon LAT LON
1 57.1717 -33.3419 57o 10.30′ -33o 20.51′
2 57.0976 -33.1241 57o 05.85′ -33o 07.45′
3 56.7293 -33.4885 56o 43.76′ -33o 29.31′
4 56.4943 -33.5696 56o 29.66′ -33o 34.18′
5 56.3731 -34.0165 56o 22.39′ -34o 00.99′
6 56.5289 -34.2443 56o 31.73′ -34o 14.66′
7 56.7449 -34.1446 56o 44.69′ -34o 08.68′
8 57.1517 -33.5070 57o 09.10′ -33o 30.42′
9 57.1717 -33.3419 57o 10.30′ -33o 20.51′
MAR 2
MAR 2 MAR 2 MAR 2 MAR 2 MAR 2
Lat lon LAT LON
1 44.7495 -25.2187 44o 44.97′ -25o 13.12′
2 44.4873 -24.9684 44o 29.24′ -24o 58.10′
3 44.3749 -25.2867 44o 22.50′ -25o 17.20′
4 44.5689 -25.4261 44o 34.13′ -25o 25.57′
5 44.7977 -25.3331 44o 47.86′ -25o 19.99′
6 44.7495 -25.2187 44o 44.97′ -25o 13.12′
MAR 3
MAR 3 MAR 3 MAR 3 MAR 3 MAR 3
Lat lon LAT LON
1 45.6840 -27.2571 45o 41.04′ -27o 15.42′
2 45.4763 -27.1426 45o 28.58′ -27o 08.56′
3 45.4286 -27.4180 45o 25.72′ -27o 25.08′
4 45.2023 -27.6218 45o 12.14′ -27o 37.31′
5 45.1872 -27.7613 45o 11.23′ -27o 45.68′
6 45.4913 -27.8757 45o 29.48′ -27o 52.54′
7 45.6690 -27.6683 45o 40.14′ -27o 40.10′
8 45.6690 -27.2571 45o 40.14′ -27o 15.42′
9 45.6840 -27.2571 45o 41.04′ -27o 15.42′
MAR 4
MAR 4 MAR 4 MAR 4 MAR 4 MAR 4
lat lon LAT LON
1 46.3844 -27.6218 46o 23.06′ -27o 37.31′
2 46.0528 -27.6469 46o 03.17′ -27o 38.81′
3 46.0528 -27.9186 46o 03.17′ -27o 55.12′
4 46.3992 -27.9186 46o 23.95′ -27o 55.12′
5 46.3992 -27.6683 46o 23.95′ -27o 40.10′
6 46.3844 -27.6218 46o 23.06′ -27o 37.31′
MAR 5
MAR 5 MAR 5 MAR 5 MAR 5 MAR 5
lat lon LAT LON
1 47.5556 -27.4395 47o 33.34′ -27o 26.37′
2 47.2919 -27.3036 47o 17.51′ -27o 18.21′
3 47.2919 -27.8042 47o 17.51′ -27o 48.25′
4 47.4638 -27.9437 47o 27.83′ -27o 56.62′
5 47.7243 -27.8042 47o 43.46′ -27o 48.25′
6 47.5556 -27.4859 47o 33.34′ -27o 29.16′
7 47.5556 -27.4395 47o 33.34′ -27o 26.37′

4. Existing fishing area: coordinates of Barents Sea (BAR 1)

BAR 1
BAR 1 BAR 1 BAR 1 BAR 1 BAR 1
lat lon LAT LON
1 74.1356 41.0604 74o 08.14′ 41o 03.62′
2 73.7439 41.3600 73o 44.63′ 41o 21.60′
3 73.4273 41.0317 73o 25.64′ 41o 01.90′
4 73.1143 40.7075 73o 06.86′ 40o 42.45′
5 72.6406 40.5967 72o 38.44′ 40o 35.80′
6 72.1881 40.5433 72o 11.29′ 40o 32.60′
7 72.2545 39.7799 72o 15.27′ 39o 46.79′
8 72.6810 38.8237 72o 40.86′ 38o 49.42′
9 73.0749 37.6254 73o 04.49′ 37o 37.52′
10 73.3730 36.6445 73o 22.38′ 36o 38.67′
11 73.6367 35.3640 73o 38.20′ 35o 21.84′
12 73.9028 34.1123 73o 54.17" 34o 06.74′
13 73.9778 33.7019 73o 58.67′ 33o 42.11′
14 74.2908 35.0644 74o 17.45′ 35o 03.86′
15 74.5760 36.0207 74o 34.56′ 36o 01.24′
16 74.9065 36.9441 74o 54.39′ 36o 56.65′
17 74.9377 37.0000 74o 56.26′ 37o 00.00′
18 75.1947 37.0000 75o 11.68′ 37o 00.00′
19 75.5264 37.5368 75o 31.58′ 37o 32.21′
20 75.8002 38.0000 75o 48.01′ 38o 00.00′
21 77.3222 38.0000 77o 19.33′ 38o 00.00′
22 77.1900 39.0197 77o 11.40′ 39o 01.18′
23 77.0770 40.1494 77o 04.62′ 40o 08.96′
24 76.9570 41.5452 76o 57.42′ 41o 32.71′
25 76.8570 42.9472 76o 51.42′ 42o 56.83′
26 76.8138 43.9780 76o 48.828′ 43o 58.68′
27 76.6350 43.6305 76o 38.10′ 43o 37.83′
28 76.3275 43.2220 76o 19.65′ 43o 13.32′
29 76.1361 43.0563 76o 08.16′ 43o 03.37′
30 76.0200 42.0669 76o 01.20′ 42o 04.01′
31 75.5715 42.1034 75o 34.29′ 42o 06.20′
32 75.0994 39.5952 75o 05.96′ 39o 35.71′
33 74.1356 41.0604 74o 08.14′ 41o 03.62′

5. Existing fishing area: coordinates of Reykjanes Ridge
Reykjanes Ridge Reykjanes Ridge Reykjanes Ridge Reykjanes Ridge Reykjanes Ridge
lat lon LAT LON
1 60.9844 -27.0000 60o 59.07′ -27o 00.00′
2 60.8811 -27.4432 60o 52.86′ -27o 26.59′
3 60.8893 -27.6897 60o 53.36′ -27o 41.38′
4 60.9592 -27.8432 60o 57.55′ -27o 50.59′
5 61.0295 -27.7756 61o 01.77′ -27o 46.53′
6 61.1569 -28.0560 61o 09.41′ -28o 03.36′
7 61.1901 -28.0221 61o 11.41′ -28o 01.33′
8 60.9844 -27.0000 60o 59.07′ -27o 00.00′

ANNEX IV

TECHNICAL MEASURES APPLICABLE IN THE REGULATORY AREA

1. Landing obligation

It is prohibited to discard or release catches from the Regulatory Area of the species listed below:

  • (a) species listed in Section 1 of Annex I,
  • (b) haddock,
  • (c) cod,
  • (d) whiting,
  • (e) saithe in ICES subareas 3-14,
  • (f) anglerfish,
  • (g) megrims,
  • (h) common sole,
  • (i) hake,
  • (j) Norway lobster,
  • (k) plaice,
  • (l) pollack,
  • (m) horse mackerel,
  • (n) ling,
  • (o) greater argentine,
  • (p) tusk,
  • (q) blue ling,
  • (r) Greenland halibut,
  • (s) boarfish,
  • (t) black scabbardfish,
  • (u) alfonsinos,
  • (v) roundnose grenadier, and
  • (w) red seabream.

2. Minimum conservation reference sizes in the Regulatory Area

Species NEAFC
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 30 cm
Ling (Molva molva) 63 cm
Blue ling (Molva dipterygia) 70 cm
Mackerel (Scomber spp.) 30 cm
Herring (Clupea harengus) 20 cm

3. Mesh sizes in the Regulatory Area

3.1.   Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear

The following codend mesh sizes and associated conditions apply in the Regulatory Area:

Codend mesh size Geographical areas Conditions
At least 100 mm Whole area None
At least 100 mm ICES subareas 1 and 2 Directed fishing for pelagic redfish (Sebastes mentella)
At least 35 mm Whole area Directed fishing for blue whiting
At least 32 mm ICES subareas 1 and 2 Directed fishing for Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) A sorting grid with a maximum bar spacing of 22 mm shall be fitted
At least 16 mm Whole area Directed fishing for mackerel, capelin [^E0012] and argentines

A vessel shall be deemed to be fishing for capelin if it has capelin on board which exceeds 50 % by weight of the total amount of capelin and other species on board.

3.2.   Baseline mesh sizes for static nets

The following mesh sizes for static nets and associated conditions apply in the Regulatory Area:

Mesh size Geographical areas Conditions
At least 220 mm Whole area None

4. Measures to ensure the sustainability of redfish in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters

  • 4.1.All fishing activities shall be prohibited in the area bounded by the following coordinates measured according to the WGS84 system:
Latitude Longitude
63°00′N 30°00′W
61°30′N 27°35′W
60°45′N 28°45′W
62°00′N 31°35′W
63°00′N 30°00′W
  • 4.2.Fishing vessels shall be prohibited from fishing, retaining on board, transhipping or landing in Union ports shallow pelagic and deep pelagic beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella) from the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters (ICES subareas 5, 12 and 14, and NAFO subareas 1 and 2). That prohibition shall apply to Union fishing vessels also in third-country ports.
  • 4.3.Union fishing vessels shall be prohibited from participating in transhipment operations involving the stocks referred to in paragraph 4.2.
  • 4.4.Union vessels shall be prohibited from refuelling or providing support services to any fishing vessels with catches of the stocks referred to in paragraph 4.2.
  • 4.5.Fishing vessels having carried out directed fisheries for the stocks referred to in paragraph 4(2) after 5 March 2025 shall not be authorised to land, tranship or make use of any other port services in Union ports.
  • 4.6.Fishing vessels having carried out directed fisheries for the stocks referred to in paragraph 4(2) after 5 March 2025 shall not be authorised for any fishing activities in Union waters.
  • 4.7.Union fishing vessels shall be prohibited from participating in transhipment operations involving vessels having carried out directed fisheries of the stocks referred to in paragraph 4(2) after 5 March 2025.
  • 4.8.Union vessels shall be prohibited from refuelling or providing support services to any fishing vessels having carried out directed fisheries for the stocks referred to in paragraph 4(2) after 5 March 2025.
  • 4.9.The measures referred to in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.8 shall apply until 31 December 2027.

5. Special rules for the protection of blue ling in ICES subarea 14

All fishing with bottom contacting gear (bottom trawl, longline and gillnet) is prohibited in the period from 15 February to 15 April in the area bounded by the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

Latitude Longitude
60o 58.76′ N 27o 27.32′ W
60o 56.02′ N 27o 31.16′ W
60o 59.76′ N 27o 43.48′ W
61o 03.00′ N 27o 39.41′ W

6. Measures for the redfish fishery in international waters of ICES subareas 1 and 2

  • 6.1.Flag Member States shall ensure that scientific information is collected by scientific observers on board vessels flying their flag. As a minimum, the information collected shall include representative data on sex, age and length composition by depths. This information shall be reported to ICES by the competent authorities in the Member States.
  • 6.2.Masters of Union fishing vessels use the following conversion factors to establish the live-weight equivalent of redfish product weight:
  • (i) 2,03 for the product gutted and headed (Japanese cut),
  • (ii) 1,50 for the product gutted and headed (round cut), and
  • (iii) 1,08 for the product gutted head on.

7. Rockall haddock box in ICES subarea 6

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:

Latitude Longitude
57o 00′ N 15o 00′ W
57o 00′ N 14o 00′ W
56o 30′ N 14o 00′ W
56o 30′ N 15o 00′ W

8. Closed areas for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems

It shall be prohibited to conduct bottom trawling and fishing with static gear, including bottom set gillnets and bottom set longlines, within the following areas sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

  • (a) Northern MAR Area:
  • — 59o 45′ N, 33o 30′ W
  • — 57o 30′ N, 27o 30′ W
  • — 56o 45′ N, 28o 30′ W
  • — 59o 15′ N, 34o 30′ W
  • — 59o 45′ N, 33o 30′ W
  • (b) Middle MAR Area (Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone and Subpolar Frontal Region):
  • — 53o 30′ N, 38o 00′ W
  • — 53o 30′ N, 36o 49′ W
  • — 55o 04.53′ N, 36o 49′ W
  • — 54o 58.99′ N, 34o 41.36′ W
  • — 54o 41.18′ N, 34o 00′ W
  • — 53o 30′ N, 34o 00′ W
  • — 53o 30′ N, 30o 00′ W
  • — 51o 30′ N, 28o 00′ W
  • — 49o 00′ N, 26o 30′ W
  • — 49o 00′ N, 30o 30′ W
  • — 51o 30′ N, 32o 00′ W
  • — 51o 30′ N, 38o 00′ W
  • — 53o 30′ N, 38o 00′ W
  • (c) Southern MAR Area:
  • — 44o 30′ N, 30o 30′ W
  • — 44o 30′ N, 27o 00′ W
  • — 43o 15′ N, 27o 15′ W
  • — 43o 15′ N, 31o 00′ W
  • — 44o 30′ N, 30o 30′ W
  • (d) Altair Seamount:
  • — 45o 00′ N, 34o 35′ W
  • — 45o 00′ N, 33o 45′ W
  • — 44o 25′ N, 33o 45′ W
  • — 44o 25′ N, 34o 35′ W
  • — 45o 00′ N, 34o 35′ W

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