COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 541 final 
Brussels, 16 December 1991 
Proposal for a 
ÇQUNÇll REGULATION (EEC) 
amending Council Regulation (BBC) No 1956/88 of 9 June 1988 adopting 
provisions for the application of the Scheme of Joint International 
Inspection adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The Community participates in the Scheme of Joint International Enforcement 
of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in respect of fishing 
activities in the Northwest Atlantic area. This Scheme, which has been in 
operation since 1988, provides inter alia for reciprocal rights of boarding 
and inspection by the Contracting Parties and for Flag State prosecution on 
the basis of the results of the inspection. 
With a view to improving the functioning of the said scheme, the Fisheries 
Commission of NAFO adopted certain proposals at its 13th Annual Meeting 
held in Dartmouth, Canada on 13 September 1991. These proposals, which 
extend the enforcement scheme to include aerial surveillance, are acceptable 
to the Community. The purpose of this proposal is therefore to apply the new 
NAFO Scheme of Joint International Inspection and Surveillance in the 
Community and to make certain other necessary related provisions. 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1956/88 of 9 June 1988 is to be amended in order 
to incorporate the new NAFO Scheme. 
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PROPOSAL 
for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No of 
amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1956/88 of 9 June 1988 adopting 
provisions for the application of the Scheme of Joint International 
Inspection adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 25 January 1983 
establishing a Community system for the conservation and management of 
fishery resources(*), and in particular Article 11 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission^) „ 
Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1956/88 of 9 June 1988 concerning 
provisions for the application of the Scheme of Joint International 
Inspection adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization^3) 
implements the Scheme of Joint International Inspection adopted by the NAFO 
Fisheries Commission on 10 February 1988, 
Whereas the NAFO Fisheries Commission adopted on 13 September 1991 a proposal 
for a modified scheme, now to be entitled "Scheme of Joint International 
Inspection and Surveillance"; whereas pursuant to Article XI of the NAFO 
Convention, the proposal will, in the absence of objections, become a measure 
binding upon Contracting Parties with effect from 2.6 November 1991; whereas 
the modified scheme is acceptable to the Community, 
Whereas provision should be made for adopting detailed rules for implementing 
the modified scheme, 
(1) O.J. No L 24 of 27.01.1983, p. 1 
(2) 
(3) O.J. No L 175 of 06.07.1988, p. 1 
./. 
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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article 1 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1956/88 is hereby amended as follows: 
1. Article 1 is replaced by the following: 
"The Scheme of Joint International Inspection and Surveillance, adopted 
by the NAFO Fisheries Commission on 13 September 1991, hereinafter 
referred to as 'the Scheme', shall apply in the Community." 
The text of the modified Scheme is attached to this Regulation. 
2. Article 2.1 is replaced by the following: 
"The Commission of the European Communities shall assign Community 
inspectors to the Scheme. The inspectors may be appointed by the 
Commission or by a Member State. A Community inspector may be placed 
on board any Member State vessel or aircraft engaged or about to be 
engaged in inspection or surveillance duties in the NAFO Regulatory 
Area." 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its 
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 1991 
For the Council, 
The President 
SCHEME OF JOINT INTERNATIONAL INSPECTION AMD SURVEILLANCE 
1. (i) Control and surveillance shall be carried out by inspectors of the 
fishery control services of the Contracting Parties following 
their assignment to the Scheme of Joint International Inspection 
and surveillance, hereinafter referred to as "the scheme". 
(ii) The appropriate authorities of the Contracting Parties shall 
notify the Executive Secretary by November 1 each year of the 
names of the inspectors and special inspection vessels (which term 
includes fishing vessels carrying inspectors) and the type and 
call sign of the helicopters or other aircraft which they are 
assigning to the scheme in accordance with paragraph 13 of the 
scheme. 
Modification by Contracting Parties to such notifications shall be 
communicated to the Executive Secretary with two months notice 
whenever possible. 
(iii) Following notification to the Executive Secretary, and in the case 
of mutual agreement between the respective Contracting Parties, 
inspectors assigned by one Party may be placed on board the 
special inspection vessels or aircraft of another Party assigned 
to the scheme. 
(iv) On receipt of the notification of assignment to the scheme from 
the Contracting Party, the Executive Secretary shall issue a 
document of identity, as shown in Annex I, to the respective 
authority for each inspector of that Party. This document shall 
be numbered. Each inspector shall carry and produce this document 
of identity upon boarding a vessel. 
(v) Special inspection vessels and aircraft shall immediately notify 
the Executive Secretary by radio/telex, facsimile or other 
communication of the date and time of commencing their duties 
under the scheme. All inspectors on board shall be assumed to be 
NAFO inspectors. 
(vi) Between the times of commencing and terminating their duties under 
the scheme inspectors and special inspection vessels and aircraft 
may not, with respect to vessels and aircraft under the 
jurisdiction of other Contracting Parties, enforce laws and 
regulations related to the zone of the Contracting Party which has 
assigned them. 
(vii) Special inspection vessels and aircraft shall immediately notify 
the Executive Secretary by radio/telex of the date and time of 
terminating their duties under the scheme. 
./. 
(viii) In each case, the times referred to in subparagraph (vi) above 
shall be entered in the aircraft•s or ship's log or its 
equivalent. The times stated in these entries, shall constitute 
the times applicable to subparagraph (vi) above. In cases where 
communication of the notifications is not possible or practicable, 
these entries shall constitute fulfillment of the obligations 
under subparagraphs (v) and (vii). 
(ix) The Executive Secretary shall circulate the substance of the 
notifications received from any Contracting Party for the purposes 
of the scheme, to all members of the Fisheries Commission, 
hereinafter referred to as "the Commission" within 15 days of 
receipt. 
2. (i) In its inspections a Contracting Party shall aim at ensuring equal 
treatment between all Contracting Parties with vessels operating 
in the Regulatory Area through an equitable distribution of 
inspections. 
(ii) To ensure objectivity in the realization and distribution of 
inspections between the Contracting Parties, the number of 
inspections carried out by the vessels of a Contracting Party on 
vessels of any other Contracting Party shall, as far as possible, 
reflect the ratio of the inspected Party's fishing activity to the 
total fishing activity in the Regulatory Area, measured on the 
basis of, inter alia, the level of catches and days on ground. 
3. Appropriate authorities of Contracting Parties shall notify the Executive 
Secretary of the names of the authorities designated to receive immediate 
notice of apparent infringements and the means by which they may receive 
and respond to communications. 
Where, at any time, more than 15 vessels of any one Contracting Party are 
engaged in fishing operations or in the processing or transferring of fish 
in the Regulatory Area, that Contracting Party shall, during that time, 
have an inspector or other designated authority present in the Regulatory 
Area, or other designated authority present in a country of a Contracting 
Party adjacent to the Convention Area, to receive and respond, without 
delay, to notice of apparent infringements. 
4. (i) Any vessel or helicopter assigned to the scheme and carrying an 
inspector shall display the following signals to indicate that the 
inspector is carrying out inspections under the scheme: 
(a) during daylight hours, in conditions of normal visibility two 
inspection pennants as shown in Annex II, flown in a vertical 
line one above the other with distance between the two not 
exceeding one metre; 
(b) the boarding craft shall display one inspection pennant which 
is identical as shown in Annex II but which may be half-
scale. 
(ii) Surveillance Aircraft assigned to the scheme shall have their 
international radio call sign clearly displayed. 
5. (i) Inspection and control under the scheme applies in the Regulatory 
Area to the following vessels: 
(a) fishing vessels which are or have been engaged in fishing 
operations in the Regulatory Area; 
(b) vessels, equipped for processing fish on board, which are or 
have been engaged in fish transferring operations in the 
Regulatory Area; and, 
(c) transport vessels which are actually engaged in fish 
transferring operations. 
(ii) The master of a vessel to which the scheme applies shall 
facilitate boarding when given the appropriate signal in the 
International Code of Signals by a vessel or helicopter carrying 
an inspector. The vessel to be boarded shall not be required to 
stop or manoeuvre when fishing, shooting, or hauling. The master 
shall nonetheless provide: 
(a) for vessels longer than 30 metres overall, a boarding ladder 
constructed and used as described in Annex III; 
(b) such assistance to boardings from helicopters as specified or 
as qualified in Annex IV. 
In either case, the master shall observe the ordinary practice of 
good seamanship to enable an inspection party to board as soon as 
practicable. 
(ill) The procedures established for personnel helicopter hoist 
transfers shall not place a higher duty of care upon the master of 
a fishing vessel than that required by international law. 
(iv) An inspection party shall consist of at maximum, two inspectors 
assigned to the scheme. The use of arms in relation to the 
inspections is prohibited and, in particular, the inspectors shall 
not carry arms. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, 
the principle of not carrying or using arms shall not be deemed to 
limit the performance of inspections by a Contracting Party of 
vessels flying its own flag. 
(v) The vessel in charge of a pair of trawling operations shall be 
required to identify itself by flying a pennant or flag on the 
approach of an inspector. 
6. (i) Inspections shall be made so that the vessel, its activities and 
catch suffer the minimum interference and inconvenience. The 
duration of an inspection shall not exceed three hours, or until 
the net is hauled in and the net and catch are inspected, 
whichever is longer, but this time limitation shall not apply in 
the case of an apparent infringement. 
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In the case of a difference between the recorded catches and the 
estimates of the inspector of the catch on board the vessel, the 
inspector may re-check calculations, procedures, the relevant 
documentation used to determine the catch summaries from the 
Regulatory Area and the catch on board the vessel; the inspector 
shall then leave the vessel within one hour following the 
completion of the original inspection. 
An inspector shall limit his inquiries to the ascertainment of the 
facts in relation to the observance of those Commission's measures 
to which the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel has not 
objected in accordance with Article XII of the Convention. The 
inspection shall be carried out using the report of inspection 
prescribed in Annex V. 
As regards Section 15 of Annex V, notwithstanding any objection of 
quotas made pursuant to Article XII of the Convention, inspectors 
shall summarize from logbook records, for the current voyage, the 
vessel's catch in the Regulatory Area by species and by division 
and shall record this summary on the inspection form. The current 
voyage shall be defined for this purpose as beginning when the 
vessel enters the Regulatory Area, and ending when the vessel 
leaves the Convention Area (which includes the ports bordering the 
Convention Area) for a period greater than 20 consecutive days. 
The current voyage shall not be considered to have ended as long 
as the vessel has catch on board from the Regulatory Area. 
In the case of a language difficulty, the inspector or the master 
shall use, in the appropriate language, the appropriate part of 
the questionnaire shown in Annex VI. 
Contracting Parties may exercise, by letter to the Executive 
Secretary, the option to have inspectors summarize from logbook 
records for the quota period, instead of the current voyage, their 
vessel's catch in the Regulatory Area by species and by division 
and record this summary in Section 15 of the inspection form. 
In making his examination, the inspector may ask the master for 
any required assistance. The master shall facilitate the work of 
the inspector. The report of the inspection may be commented upon 
and shall be signed by all the persons that the form requires. A 
copy of the report shall be given to the master of the vessel. 
The Contracting Party inspecting a vessel will communicate in 
writing the details of an apparent infringement to the designated 
authorities of the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel 
within the working day following the inspection whenever possible. 
The Contracting Parties inspecting vessels will provide 
notification of a list of vessels inspected on a calendar monthly 
basis to the designated authorities of the Contracting Parties of 
the vessels inspected, via the office of the Executive Secretary. 
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In the case of an apparent infringement or a difference between 
recorded catches and the inspector's estimates of the catches on 
board, a copy of the inspection report with supporting 
documentation, including second photographs taken, shall be 
transmitted as soon as possible to the responsible authorities of 
the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel, after the 
inspection vessel returns to port. In the case of other 
inspection reports, the original shall be transmitted within 30 
days whenever possible, to a designated authority of the 
Contracting Party for the inspected vessel. A copy of every 
inspection report shall also be forwarded to the Executive 
Secretary. 
(ii) Notwithstanding any objection to quotas made pursuant to 
Article XII of the Convention: 
(a) inspectors shall have authority to inspect and measure all 
fishing gear on or near the working deck and readily 
available for use and to inspect and record estimates of the 
catch on and below decks in so far as such inspection and 
measurement are necessary to establish whether the vessel is 
complying with the Commission's measures; 
(b) fishing gear shall be inspected in accordance with the 
Commission's measures; 
(c) with regard to catches, correspondance between the logbook 
entries for the Regulatory Area and estimates of catches by 
species on board relating to these entries may be ascertained 
and differences between recorded catches and the inspector's 
estimate of the catches on board with percentages shall be 
recorded under Section 18 of the inspection report (Comments 
Section); and 
(d) inspectors may also ascertain that records for the duration 
of the quota period to the date of the inspection are aboard 
the vessel in accordance with the NAFO Conservation and 
Enforcement Measures Part I C (2) (b) (ill). 
(ill) An inspector has the authority to examine catch, nets or other 
gear, and any relevant documents which the inspector deems 
necessary to verify the observance of the Commission's measures. 
Where an apparent infringement of the measures is observed: 
the inspector shall note the apparent infringement in the 
report, sign the entry and obtain the countersignature of the 
master; 
the inspector shall enter and sign a notation in the fishing 
logbook or other relevant document stating the date, 
location, and type of apparent infringement found. The 
inspector may make a copy of any relevant entry in such a 
document, and shall require the master of the vessel to 
certify in writing on each page of the copy that it is a true 
copy of such entry; 
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the inspector shall have full opportunity to document the 
apparent infringement with photographs of the relevant 
fishing vessel's gear or catch, in which case a second 
photograph shall be given to the master of the vessel and 
attached to the report sent to an appropriate authority of 
the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel. 
(iv) Where an inspector finds an apparent infringement of measures 
prohibiting: 
(a) fishing in a closed area or with gear prohibited in a 
specific area; 
(b) fishing for stocks or species after the date on which the 
Contracting Party for the inspected vessel has notified the 
Executive Secretary that vessels of that party will cease a 
directed fishery for those stocks or species; 
and 
(c) fishing on an "Others" quota without prior notification to 
the Executive Secretary, or more than seven working days 
after the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel has been 
notified by the Executive Secretary that fishing under an 
"Others" quota for that stock or species should cease; 
The inspector, to facilitate a Contracting Party action on the 
apparent infringement, shall immediately attempt to communicate 
with an inspector of the Contracting Party for the inspected 
vessel, known to be in the vicinity, or the authority designated 
in accordance with paragraph 3 above. The master of the inspected 
vessel shall provide the use of the vessel's radio equipment and 
operator for messages to be sent out and received for this 
purpose. 
At the request of the inspector, a master shall cease all fishing 
which appears to the inspector to contravene the measures referred 
to in (a) to (c) above. During this time, the inspector shall 
complete the inspection and, if unable within a reasonable period 
of time to communicate with an inspector or designated authority 
of the Contracting Party for the inspected vessel, he shall leave 
the inspected vessel and communicate as soon as possible with one 
of them. However, if he succeeds in establishing communications 
while on board the inspected vessel, and provided that the 
inspector or designated authority of the Contracting Party for the 
inspected vessel agrees, the inspector may remain aboard. As long 
as the inspector remains aboard, the master may not resume fishing 
until the inspector is reasonably satisfied, as a result of either 
the action taken by the vessel's master or the inspector's 
communication with an inspector or designated authority of the 
Contracting Party for the inspected vessel, that the apparent 
infringement will not be repeated. 
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(v) The inspector in charge may request that the master remove any 
part of the fishing gear which appears to the inspector to 
contravene the Commission's measures. An identification mark 
shall be affixed securely to any part of the fishing gear which 
appears to the inspector to have been in contravention, and the 
inspector shall record the fact on his report. The gear shall be 
preserved with the mark attached until examined by an inspector or 
designated authority of the Contracting Party for the inspected 
vessel who shall determine the subsequent disposition of the gear. 
(vi) An inspector may photograph the fishing gear in such a way that 
the identification mark and measurements of the fishing gear are 
visible and subjects photographed should be listed in the report. 
A second photograph shall be given to the master of the vessel. 
7. An appropriate authority of a Contracting Party notified of an apparent 
infringement committed by a vessel of that Party shall take prompt action 
to receive and consider the evidence of the apparent infringement, conduct 
any further investigation necessary for disposition of the apparent 
infringement and, whenever possible, board the vessel involved. An 
appropriate authority of the Contracting Party for the vessel concerned 
shall cooperate fully with the appropriate authority of the Contracting 
Party that designated the inspector to ensure that the evidence of the 
apparent infringement is prepared and preserved in a form which 
facilitates judicial action. 
The appropriate authority of a Contracting Party notified of differences 
between the recorded catches and the estimates of the inspector, shall 
whenever possible board the vessel involved and, in any event, cooperate 
with the NAFO inspectors to ensure that the evidence is prepared and 
preserved in a form which would facilitate any judicial action, and shall 
conduct any further investigation necessary to allow it to determine 
appropriate follow-up action. 
8. An inspector observing a failure of a vessel to enable an inspection party 
to board after being properly signalled shall: 
(i) report the apparent infringement as soon as possible to any 
inspector of the Contracting Party for the vessel concerned known 
to be in the vicinity or a designated authority of that 
Contracting Party; 
and, 
(ii) prepare and forward to the Executive Secretary a report giving as 
much information as possible, including the nature of the signal, 
the distance from which the signal was given, the visibility at 
the time, sea state, wind and icing conditions. 
9. For the purpose of the Scheme, "surveillance" shall be based on any 
sighting made by an inspector from an inspection vessel or aircraft 
assigned to the Scheme. 
(i) When, as a result of surveillance an inspector observes a vessel 
of a Contracting Party, and where such observation does not 
correspond with the latest information available to the inspector 
as provided for by section C.2 of Part III of the Conservation and 
Enforcement Measures, the inspector shall complete Part I of the 
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Surveillance Report Form shown at Annex VII and shall photograph 
the vessel in support of his observations. Photographs taken 
should simultaneously record the position, date and time as shown 
by the surveillance craft's Instrumentation. 
(11) Not less than 72 hours following the recording of the observation 
in Part I of the Surveillance Report and on the basis of 
notifications received from the Contracting Party of the vessel 
concerned pursuant to (the hall system), the inspector shall 
complete Part II of the Surveillance Report. 
(Hi) The original of each surveillance report completed in accordance 
with 9(i) and (il) and any photographs shall be forwarded as soon 
as possible to the Contracting Party of the vessel concerned, or a 
designated authority of that Contracting Party. A copy of every 
surveillance report shall also be forwarded to the Executive 
Secretary. 
(iv) An appropriate authority of a Contracting Party shall, on receipt 
of a surveillance report concerning a vessel of that party, take 
prompt action to receive and consider the report and, whenever 
possible, board the vessel concerned, and conduct any further 
investigation necessary to allow it to determine appropriate 
follow-up action. 
10. Resistance to an inspector or failure to comply with his 
directions shall be treated by the Flag State of the vessel as if 
the inspector were an inspector of that State. 
11. Inspectors shall carry out their duties in accordance with the 
rules set out in the scheme, but they shall remain under the 
operational control of the authorities of their Contracting 
Parties and shall be responsible to them. 
12. Appropriate authorities of a Contracting Party shall consider and 
act on reports from inspectors of other Contracting Parties under 
the scheme on the same basis as reports from its own inspectors. 
The provisions of this paragraph shall not impose any obligation 
on the appropriate authorities of a Contracting Party to give the 
report from a foreign inspector a higher evidentiary value than it 
would possess in the inspector's own country. Appropriate 
authorities of Contracting Parties shall collaborate in order to 
facilitate judicial or other proceedings arising from a report 
submitted by the inspector under the scheme. 
13. Appropriate authorities of a Contracting Party shall inform the 
Executive Secretary by 1 November each year of the provisional 
plans for participation by its inspectors, vessels and helicopters 
and other aircraft in the scheme for the succeeding calendar year, 
and the Executive Secretary may make suggestions to the 
appropriate authorities of the Contracting Parties for the 
coordination of their operations in this field including the 
number of inspectors and the number of vessels, helicopters and 
other aircraft carrying inspectors. 
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14. Appropriate authorities of each Contracting Party shall report to 
the Executive Secretary by 1 March each year for the previous 
calendar year: 
(i) the number of inspections conducted by it under the Scheme 
specifying the number of inspections on the vessels of each 
Contracting Party and, in the case of apparent infringement, 
the date and position of the inspection of the named vessel 
and the nature of the apparent infringement; 
(ii) the disposition of apparent infringements notified to it by 
a Contracting Party. The apparent infringements shall be 
listed annually until the action is concluded under the laws 
of the Flag State, and any penalties imposed shall be 
described in specific terms; 
(ill) differences that they consider significant between records 
of catches in their Contracting Party's vessels' logbooks 
and inspectors' estimates of catches on board the vessels. 
The cases so identified as significant shall be listed 
annually until NAFO is informed of the actions taken in 
response, including any penalties imposed under the law of 
the Flag State. These penalties shall be described in 
specific terms; 
(iv) the number of air hours flown on NAFO patrol, the number of 
sightings and the number of surveillance reports established 
with the date, time and position of the sightings in respect 
of these surveillance reports; 
(v) the disposition of surveillance reports notified to it by a 
Contracting party. The surveillance reports shall be listed 
annually until follow-up action is concluded by the 
appropriate authorities. In cases where the follow-up 
action results in penal action any penalties imposed shall 
be described in specific terms. 
15. (i) In the event of a disagreement concerning the interpretation 
or application of the scheme, the concerned Contracting 
N Parties shall consult in an attempt to resolve the 
disagreement. 
(ii) If the disagreement remains unresolved following the 
consultations, at the request of a Contracting Party the 
Executive Secretary shall refer the disagreement to a 
special meeting of the Standing Committee on International 
Control (STACTIC). 
A report on the disagreement shall be drawn up by STACTIC 
and provided to the Fisheries Commission within two months 
of the STACTIC meeting. 
(ill) On receipt of the STACTIC report, a Contracting Party may 
within a further period of two months request a special 
meeting of the Fisheries Commission to consider the report 
and to take appropriate action. 
w 
FISHERIES COMMISSION 
OF THE 
NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES ORGANIZATION 
The bearer of this document 
(NAME IN CAPITALS) 
is an inspector duly appointed under the terms of the scheme of joint 
international inspection of the Fisheries Commission of the 
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, and has authority to act 
under the arrangements approved by the Commission. 
Issued by 
Signature (Executive Secretary) 
{CONTRACTING PARTY iN CAPITALS) 
[DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 
No 2 x 
r * 
c 
i 2 
x 3 
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2 Z d H •< ! "s 
i 5 t 
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No I. 175/8 Offici.il Journal of the Kuropcin Communities 6. 7. 88 
4.VN7 X // 
INSPFCTION PKNNANTrs 
BLACK 
94 cm 
Not exceeding 1 metre 
94 cm 
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Official Journal of the Furopean Communities No L 175/9 
ANNEX III 
CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF HOARDING LADDERS 
1. The boarding ladders •'hall be efficient for the purpose of enabling inspectors to embark and disembark at sea 
safely. The boarding ladders are to he kept clean and in good order. 
2. The ladder shall be secured in a position so that it is clear of any possible discharge from the ship, that each 
step rests firmly against the ship's side, that it is clear so far as practicable of the finer lines of the ship and that 
the inspector can gain safe and convenient access to the ship. 
3. The steps of the boarding ladder shall be: 
(a) of hardwood or other inatenal of equivalent properties, made in one piece free of knots, having an 
efficient non-slip surface; the four lowest steps may be made of rubber of sufficient strength and stiffness 
or of other suitable material of equivalent characteristics; 
(b) not less than 480 mm long, 115 mm wide, and 25 mm in depth, excluding any non-slip device; and 
(c) equally spaced not less than 380 mm not more than 380 mm apart and may be secured in a manner that 
they will remain horizontal. 
4. No boarding ladder shall have more than two replacement steps which are secured in position by a method 
different from that used in the original const rua ion of the ladder and any steps so secured shall be replaced, as 
soon as reasonably practicable, by steps secured in position by the method used in the original construction of 
the ladder. 
5. The side ropes of the ladder shall consist of two uncovered manila or equival'"" • • • » not less than 60 mm in 
circumference on each side; each rope shall be continuous with no joint» ' • ; top step; two man ropes 
properly secured to the ship and not less than 65 mm in circumference a ,y line shall be kept at hand, 
ready for use if required. 
6. Battens made of hardwood, or other material of equivalent properties, in one piece and not less than 
1,80 metres long, shall be provided at such intervals as will prevent the boarding ladder from twisting. The 
lowest batten shall be on the fifth step from the bottom of the ladder and the interval between any batten and 
the next shall not exceed nine steps. 
7. Means shall be provided to ensure safe and convenient passage onto or into and off the ship between the head 
of the pilot ladder or of any accomodation ladder or other applicance provided. Where such passage is by 
means of a gateway in the rails or bulwark, adequate handholds shall be provided. Where such passage is by 
means of a bulwark ladder, such ladder shall be securely attached to the bulwark rail or platform and two 
handhold stanchions shall be fitted at the point of boarding or leaving the ship not less than 0,70 metre nor 
more than 0,80 metre apart. Each stanchion shall be rigidly secured to the ship's structure at or near its base 
and also at a higher point, shall be not less than 40 mm in diameter and shall extend not less than 1,20 metres 
above the stop of the bulwark. 
8. Lighting shall be provided at night such that both the boarding ladder overside and also the position where the 
inspector boards the ship shall be adequately lit. A lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light shall be kept at 
hand, ready for use. A heaving line shall be kept at hand, ready for use if required. 
t. Means shall be provided to enable the boarding ladder to be used on either side of the ship. 
10. The rigging of the ladder and the embarkation and disembarkation of an inspector shall be supervised by a 
responsible officer of the ship. % 
11. Where on any ship constructional features such as rubbing bands would prevent the implementation of any of 
these provisions, special arrangements shall be made to the satisfaction of the Commission to ensure that 
pers-ms are Me to embark and disembark safely. 
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No L 175/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 88 
ANNEX IV 
HELICOPTER MOIST PROCEDURE 
1. The captain of the helicopter shall be in charge of and shall ensure the safety of personnel who are being 
transferred between a vessel and the helicopter during the enure time such personnel arc attached to the 
helicopter via the hoist cable and the lifting device. 
2. The master of the vessel shall follow the procedures described b*'v>w to assist the helicopter: 
(i) attempt to communicate by radio in a common language; 
(ii) alter course and speed if requested and if free to do so; 
(iii) maintain a steady course and speed throughout the transfer operation unless the safety of the vessel is in 
jeopardy; 
(iv) Provide a visual indication of relative wind by means of a pennant or other suitable device; 
(v) clear the transfer area of objects which could be blown loose; 
( vi) shall not make radio transmission on standing wire antennae (high frequency) in the immediate vicinity of 
the transfer area during the transfer. If such transmissions become necessary, the helicopter shall be 
advised in order that the transfer could be delayed; if a guide line is lowered first, crew members should be 
available to man this l^ne to assist in the transfer of the inspeaion part)'. Other lines and wires should not 
be touched by the crew of the vessel until the inspection party has grounded those lines and wires on the 
vessel; 
(vii) Take appropriate measures to ensure to the extent practicable that none of the lines or fittings lowered 
from the helicopter are attached to or permitted to foul in the vessel. 
3. The helicopter displaying its inspeaion pennant shall communicate to the vessel the intention to conduct a 
boarding: 
(i) by radio communications on 2 182 kHz, VHF-FM channel 16 or other agreed frequencies; 
(ii) by visual or aural indication of an appropriate signal extracted from the International Code of Signals as 
shown in paragraph 7; 
(iii) by hovering over or near the intended boarding position in conjunction with hand signals, adopted from 
the International Code of Signals, as indicated in paragraph 4. 
4. (i) Signal: Pointing movement by arm or hand 
Used by: Meaning: 
Helicopter Wish to conduct transfer or boarding in the indicated location 
(ii) Signal: Vertical motion with arm or flag, or 'Thumbs-up* indication 
Used by: Situation: Meaning: 
Either Before transfer Ready to conduct transfer; 
Vessel Before transfer Desire transfer from this position; 
Helicopter After dropping Take up the slack on the guide line; 
the guide line 
After taking up the Pull in gently on the guide line; 
slack on the guide line 
Hither At any time Affirmative response. 
(iii) Signal: Horizontal motion with arm or flag, or 'Thumbs-down' indication 
Used by: Situation: Meaning: 
Vessel Before transfer Transfer not recommended from this position — 
recommend alternative (and point towards 
desired position); 
Hither Before transfer Not ready to conduct transfer; 
Vessel During transfer Request you stop the transfer; 
I lelicopter After dropping Kasc the tension on the guide line; 
the guide line 
After easing the tension Release the guide line; 
on the guide line 
I-itlier At any time Negative response. 
-16-
Official Journal of the European Communities No L 175/11 
5. A visual display of the symbol YU by the helicopter or the radio transmission of YANKEE UNIFORM to the 
fishing vessel indicates the signals in paragraph 7 arc to be used for inspeaion communications. 
6. The following situations are representative of conditions under which a personnel helicopter hoist transfer 
shall NOT be attempted: 
(i) in the opinion of the captain of the helicopter or the master of the vessel, there is inadequate clear space for 
a transfer or there arc too many obstructions; 
(ii) there is significant vessel motion such that, in the opinion of the captain of the helicopter or the master of 
the vessel, a hazard exists; 
(iii) the helicopter cannot position itself with an acceptable relative wind; and 
(iv) other hazards exist which prejudice tlv: safety of the helicopter or the vessel oi of personnel being 
transferred. 
7. IMO signal /MO meaning Remarks 
SQ 3 You should stop, or heave to, I am The display of the inspeaion pennant indicates 
going to board you the presence of an authorized inspeaion team in 
the helicopter 
MG You should steer course ... Course is true 
IK-RQ Request you proceed at... knots 
AZ I cannot alight but I can lift crew Indication of intentions to condua helicopter 
hoist transfer (used with BB signal) 
Used in conjunaion with signal AZ to indicate 
helicopter will not alight but will condua a 
hoist transfer in the area indicated BB1-RQ May I alight on your deck; are you 
ready to receive me forward? 
BB2-RQ May I alight on your deck; are you 
ready to receive me amidships? 
BB3-RQ May I alight on your deck; are you 
ready to receive me aft? 
K 1 wish to communicate with you by 
(extracts from IMO Table 1 ) 
6 ... International Code Flags 
8 ... radiotelephony 2 182 kHz 
9 . . . VHF radiotelepnc.iy channel 
16 
YX I wish to communicate by radio-
telephony on frequency indicated 
C Yes (affirmative) 
N No (negative) November Oscar by voice or radio 
transmission 
YU I am going to communicate with your 
station by means of the International 
Code of Signals 
BT Helicopter is coming to you now (or at 
time indicated) 
-O-
Nol. 175/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 88 
ANNEX V 
FISHERIES COMMISSION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES ORGANIZATION 
REPORT OF INSPECTION 
(Inspector: «ease use CAPITAL BLOCK LITTERS) 
1. The forms for the report of inspection shall be collated in a booklet with each page having an original and two 
self-carbon copies (preferably coloured and preferably one yellow and one green). 
2. Page packets are to be perforated at the top and bottom of the page for easy removal. 
3. Items I through 8 and item 18 of the report are to be highlighted with red ink. 
4. Booklets should be bound preferably with 20 complete sets of the three-page report. 
5. The si/c of every page, after removal from the packet, should be 355,5 mm (14") in length by 216 mm (8'//') 
in width. 
Note to master of fishing vessel 
The NAFO inspector will produce his NAFO document of identity on boarding. He is then entitled to inspect and 
measure all fishing gear on or near the working deck and readily available for use and the catch on and/or below 
decks and any relevant documents. This inspection will be to check your compliance with NAFO's measures to 
which your contracting party has not objected and, notwithstanding any such objection, to inspect the logbook 
entries for the Regulatory Area and the catches on board. The inspector will not ask you to haul your nets; 
however, he may remain on board until the net is hauled in. 
AUTHORIZED INSPECTOR(S) 
1. Name(s) 
Contracting party 
2. Name and identifying letters and/or number of vessel carrying him 
INFORMATION ON VESSEL INSPECTED 
3. Contracting party and port of register .. 
4. Vessel's name and registration number . 
5. Master's name 
6. Owner's name and address 
7. Position as determined by inspecting vessel's master at GMT: 
Latitude Longitude 
(a) Equipment used in determining position 
8. Position as determined by fishing vessel's master at GMT: 
Latitude Longitude 
(a) Equipment used in determining position 
DATE AND TIMES Tl IE INSPECTION COMMENCED AND IINISII ED 
'>. Date Time arriveil on board GMT Time olf departure GMT 
6. 7. 88 -4P-
Official Journal of the European Communities No I. 175/13 
GEAR ON. OR NEAR THE WORKING DECK INSPECTED 
10. 
Type o( net (trawl net, seine net, etc.) 
Material (chemical category, if possible) 
Single or double twine 
Net (measured wet) — on or near trawl deck 
Type of net attachments inspected 
Remarks 1st net 2nd nrl 3rd net 
MESH MEASUREMENT — IN MILLIMETERS 
11. Codend (inclusive of lengthener(s), if any) — Samples of 20 meshes 
1st net 
2nd net 
3rd net Width (Mesh Si/e) 
— — — _ Average 
width legal 
ji/e 
Chafer-Samples of meshes 
1st net 
2nd net 
3rd net — — -- - .._ .... — — — 
— 
Rest of net — Samples of 20 meshes 
1st net 
2nd net 
3rd net 
12. Have the records of catches been retained aboard for the duration of the quota period* 
YES/NO 
RESULT OF INSPECTION OI HSII ON BOARD 
13. Result of inspection of fish observed in last tow (if appropriate) 
Total 
I iinnrt All spenes taken 
Total i .IU Ii Percentage 
of each IVnew.IRC iliscinlcd 
NoL 175/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 88 
14. Result of inspection of catches on board 
• Fish species with Inspectors estimate 
i-alpha code (tonnes) 
Inspectors comments on how estimates were calculated: 
15. Summary of catches from logbooks for current voyage (')/quota period (*) 
! Date of 
entry into 
Regulatory Area Division Fish species with 
J-alpha code Catch 
(metric tonnes) How 
processed Discards 
(') 'Current voyage' is defined as beginning when the vessel enters ihe Regulatory Area, and ending when the vessel leaves ihe 
Convention Area (which nullities ihr pons bordering ihe Convention Area) lor a period greater ih.in 20 days. Ihe current 
voyage shall not be considered to have ended as long as the vessel has catih on board from the Regulatory Area. 
(') Where applicable in accordance with the sisth subparagraph ol point 6 (i) of the scheme. 
6. 7. 88 -a-
Official Journal of the European Communities NoL 175/15 
Note to master of fishing vessel: 
At this stage the inspeaion will finish unless an apparent infringement has been found. If no apparent 
infringement is found go to item 20. If an apparent infringement has been found the inspector will write the 
infringement here and sign at this point. You must countersign to show that you have been informed of the 
infringement. Your signature does not constitute acceptance of the apparent infringement. 
16. Nature of apparent infringement: 
Signature of inspeaor: 
Signature of master: .. 
If an apparent infringement has been found, the inspector may: 
1. Examine and photograph the fishing vessel's gear, catch, logbooks or other relevant documents; 
2. Ask you to cease fishing if the apparent infringement consists of: 
a) fishing in a closed area or with gear prohibited in a specific area; 
b) fishing for stocks or species after the date on which the contracting parry for the inspected vessel has 
notified the Executive Secretary that vessels of that pa'ty will cease a direaed fishery for those stocks or 
species; and 
c) fishing on an 'Others* quota without prior notification to the Executive Secretary, or more than seven 
working days after the contracting party for the inspected vessel has been notified by the Executive 
Secretary that fishing under an 'Others quota' for that stock or species should cease. 
Before asking you to cease fishing, the inspeaor must immediately attempt to communicate with an inspeaor 
of your conttacting party in the vicinity or a designated authority of your contraaing party. You must allow 
the inspeaor to use your radio equipment or operator for this purpose. If the inspeaor cannot contaa an 
inspector of your contraaing party or a designated authority, he will complete his inspeaion and leave your 
vessel. While he is on board you should not recommence fishing unless you have satisfied the inspector that 
you will not repeat the apparent infringement, e.g. because you have changed zone or cut off the illegal 
gear. 
COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS 
17. Documents inspected following an apparent infringement 
18. Comments: (In the case of a difference between the inspeaor's estimates of the catches on board and the 
related summaries of catches from the logbooks, note this difference with the percentage) 
±2 0-
No L 175/16 Official Journal of the European Communities f>. 7. 88 
19. 'Subjects of photographs taken relating to an apparent infringement 
10. Other comments, statements and .'or observations by inspector(s) 
21. Statements of second inspector or witness 
22. Name and signature of second inspector or ssitne*s 
23. Signature of inspeaor in charge 
24. Statement of master's witness(es) 
25. Name and signature of master's witnesses) 
26. Acknowledgement and receipt of report: 
I, the undersigned, master of the vessel .hereby confirm that a copy of this 
report and second photographs taken have been delivered to me on this. date. My signature does not constitute 
acceptance of any pan of the contents of the report. 
Date Signature 
1?. Comments anil signature by the master of vessel 
COPY TO MASTER, ORIGINAL TO BE RETAINED BY INSPECTOR FOR REQUIRED 
DISTRIBUTION 
-2 4-
6. 7. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 175/17 
ANNTX V7 
INSPECTION QUr vnONNAIKE 
1. I am an inspector under the scheme. Here is my document of identity. I would like to inspect your nets /other 
fishing gear / catch / documents. 
2. I should like to see the master of this vessel. 
3. Please give me your name. 
4. Please cooperate with me in the examination of your catch / equipment / documents in accordance with the 
Commission's measures. 
5. Please check your position and lime now. 
f>. I am reporting your position as ° latitude ° longitude at GMT. Do you agree? 
7. Would you like to check you" position with my instruments on board the inspection vessel? 
8. Do you now agree? 
9. Please show me the documents establishing the nationality of your vessel / the registration documents / the . 
bridge log-book / the fishing log-book(s). 
10. Please write down the name and address of the owners of this vessel in the space I am indicating on the repon 
form. 
11. What principal species are you fishing for? 
12. Are you fishing for reduction purposes? 
13. 1 agree. 
14. Yes. 
15. I do not agree. 
16. No. 
17. Please take me to the bridge/ the working deck / the processing area / the fish holds. 
18. Do you use any net attachment? If so, what type? Please write it down in the space I am indicating. 
19. Please switch on these lights. 
20. I wish to examine that net / chafing gear. 
21. Show me the other fishing gear you have on or near the fishing deck. 
22. Show me your net gauge, if any. 
23. Ask your men to hold that net so that I can measure it. 
24. Please put that net underwater for 10 minutes. 
25. 1 have inspected meshes in this net. 
26. Check that I have recorded accurately on the report form in the space I am indicating the width of the meshes I 
have measured. 
27. I vsish to inspect your catch. HJVC you finished sorting the fish? 
2H. Will you please lay out those fish? 
29. I wish to estimate the proportion of regulated species in your catch. 
30. ('lease turn to tlie copy of the inspection form in your language and supply me with the necessary information 
to complete it. I will indicate sshich sections. 
U. If you do not give your cooperation as I have requested, I will report your refusal to your contracting 
party. 
\2. I have found the average width of the meshes I have measured in that net is ... . mm. This appears to be 
below the minimum applicable mesh si/e, and will be reported to your contracting party. 
.13. I have found rt-t attachments/ other fishing gear which appear to be illegal. This will be reported to your 
contracting patty. 
»4. I shall now affix the identification mark to this piece of fishing gear which is to be preserved with the mark 
attached until viewed by a fisheries inspector of your contracting party at his demand. 
-te-
NoL 175/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 7. 88 
35. I hase found . . . undersized fish. I shall repon this to your contracting party. 
36. I fihd that you are apparently fishing :his xxa during a closed season / with gear not permined / for stocks 
or species not permined. This will : rponed to your contracting pany. 
37. 1 have found a by-catch of regulated species which appears :o be above the permitted amounts. I shall repo.t 
this to your contraaing parry. 
38. 1 have made copies of the following entry / entries in this dtxument. Please sign them to cenify that they are 
true copies. 
39. I would like to communicate with the designated authority of your contracting pany. Please arrange for this 
message to be sent and for any answer to be received. 
40. Do you wish to make any observations concerning this inspection including its condua and that of the 
inspector(s)? If so, please do so in the space I am indicating on the repon form on which 1 have set out my 
findings. Please sign the observations. Do you have any witnesses who wish to make observations? If so, they 
may do so in the space I am indicating on the repon form. 
41. I am leaving. Thank you. 
-Il-
FICHE FINANCIERE 
Concerning: 
Proposed Council Regulation (EEC) fixing the provisions with regard to aerial 
surveillance of fishing vessels operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area. 
1. Budget line: 
Instituting: 
2. Legal Basis: Article B2-9220. 
Aerial surveillance and control in the international 
waters of the North West Atlantic. 
Council Regulation (EEC) n° 170/83 of 25 January 1983, 
creating a Community system of conservation and 
management of fishery resources. 
3. Classification: Obligatory expenditure. 
4. Objectives of the measure and description of activity: 
The measure is designed to improve the application of the Scheme of Joint 
(International Inspection) adopted by the North West Atlantic Fisheries 
Ogranisation (NAFO). 
5. Method of Calculation. 
5.1 Nature of expenditure: 
5.2 Community financing: 
5.3 Calculation of costs: Hire of aircraft in order to carry out aerial 
surveillance in the Regulatory Area as defined 
by the NAFO Convention. 
100% of costs for a limited period in accordance 
with the obligations described in the 
Convention. 
It is necessary to hire an aircraft for a total 
of 30 days each year at an estimated cost of 
8.000 ECU per day. 
6. Financial impact on operational credits: 
6.1 Date of credit engagement and payment (Mio ECU): 
Exercice CE CP 
1991 
1992 
1993 
1994 0,24 
0,26 
0,30 0,24 
0,26 
0,30 
The expenditure for 1992 can be covered by the credits which will be 
included in the general budget for this type of expenditure. With regard 
to the following years, the expenditure will not lead to an increase of 
credits which, in the absence of this regulation, have been requested for 
inclusion on the budget line B2-9220. 
6.2 Financing during 1991: not required. 
7. Observations: None. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (91) 541 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-610-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-79216-7 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg