Proposal for a Council Regulation on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement Area
Date: 2009-09-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Mediterranean Sea, fishing area, fishing regulations, fishing rights, international agreement, the EU's international role

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 16.9.2009 
COM(2009) 477 final 

2009/0129 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the 
Mediterranean) Agreement Area 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The  objectives  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  (CFP),  notably  to  ensure  exploitation  of 
living aquatic resources that is sustainable in economic, environmental and social terms while 
applying  the  precautionary  principle  and  an  ecosystem  approach,  also  extend  to  waters 
beyond  territorial  and  Community  waters.  The  European  Community,  as  well  as  Bulgaria, 
Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Spain, are Contracting Parties to 
the  General  Fisheries  Commission  for  the  Mediterranean  ("GFCM"),  a  Regional  Fisheries 
Management  Organisation  established  under  Article  XIV  of  the  FAO  Constitution.  The 
GFCM  may,  on  the  basis  of  scientific  advice,  adopt  recommendations  and  resolutions 
designed to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization 
of  stocks  of  living  aquatic  resources  in  the  Mediterranean  and  the  Black  Sea  at  levels  are 
considered sustainable and at low risk. 

Since  recommendations  adopted  by  the  GFCM  are  binding  on  its  Contracting  Parties  and 
since  the  Community  is  such  a  contracting  party,  the  recommendations  are  binding  on  the 
Community and should therefore be transposed, where their content is not already covered by 
Community legislation, into Community law. 

Until recently, recommendations adopted by GFCM have been transposed into Community on 
a  temporary  basis,  through  the  annual  regulations  on  fishing  opportunities1.  However,  the 
permanent  character  of  such  recommendations  would  require  also  a  more  permanent  legal 
instrument  for  their  transposition  into  Community  law;  it  seems  therefore  appropriate  to 
transpose these recommendations via a single legislative act, where future recommendations 
can be added by way of amendments to that act. This will also improve legal certainty and it 
is an important step towards simplification. 

The content and obligations of the recommendations adopted by GFCM are often entirely or 
partly covered by EU legislation adopted previously and therefore only those aspects which 
differ  from  the  EU  legislation  in  question  need  to  be  transposed,  as  well  as  the  relevant 
reporting obligations, where appropriate. 

Since GFCM recommendations apply to the entire GFCM agreement area which covers the 
Mediterranean,  the  Black  Sea  and  connecting  waters  as  referred  to  in  Annex  II  to  Council 
Decision 1998/416/EC of 16 June 19982, for reasons of clarity of Community legislation they 
should be transposed in a regulation separate from Regulation 1967/2006 which only covers 
the Mediterranean Sea.  

For  reasons  of  autonomy  the  GFCM  uses  the  term  'Fisheries  Restricted  Areas'  for  spatial 
management measures. This terminology is equivalent to the 'Fishing Protected Areas' as used 
in Regulation (EC) N° 1967/2006. 

The  European  Commission  proposes 
transposes 
recommendations  of  the  General  Fisheries  Commission  for  the  Mediterranean  (GFCM),  as 
adopted in its Annual Sessions. 

regulation,  which 

the  present 

1 
2 

R. 43/2009, R. 40/2008, 41/2007, 51/2006 
OJ L 190, 4.7.1998, p. 34 

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2009/0129 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the 
Mediterranean) Agreement Area 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article 37 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

The  Agreement  for  the  establishment  of  the  General  Fisheries  Commission  for  the 
Mediterranean  ("GFCM"),  hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  GFCM  Agreement,  was 
approved by the Council by Decision 98/416/EC3 of 16 June 1998 on the accession of 
the European Community to GFCM. 

The  GFCM  Agreement  provides  an  appropriate  framework  for  multilateral 
cooperation to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best 
utilisation of stocks of living aquatic resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea 
at levels which are considered sustainable and at low risk of collapse. 

The European Community, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, 
Romania, Slovenia and Spain, are Contracting Parties to the GFCM. 

Recommendations  adopted  by  GFCM  are  binding  on  its  Contracting  Parties.  As  the 
Community  is  a  contracting  party  to  the  GFCM,  these  recommendations  are  binding 
on  the  Community  and  should  therefore  be  transposed,  where  their  content  is  not 
already covered by Community legislation, into Community law. 

At its Annual Sessions in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 the GFCM adopted a number of 
recommendations and resolutions for certain fisheries in the GFCM Agreement Area 
which  have  been  temporarily  transposed  into  Community  law  by  the  annual 
regulations  on  fishing  opportunities4  or,  in  the  case  of  GFCM  recommendations 
2005/1 and 2005/2, by Articles 4(3) and 24 of Regulation1967/20065. 

For  reasons  of  clarity,  simplification  and  legal  certainty,  and  since  the  permanent 
character  of  recommendations  requires  also  a  permanent  legal  instrument  for  their 
transposition 
these 
it 
recommendations  via  a  single  legislative  act,  where  future  recommendations  can  be 
added by way of amendments to that act. 

into  Community 

is  appropriate 

transpose 

law, 

to 

3 
4 
5 

OJ L 190, 4.7.1998, p.34. 
R. 43/2009, Articles 28-31 R. 40/2008 Articles 29-31, 41/2007, Articles 26-27 51/2006, Annex III 
OJ L 39, 8.2.2007, p. 6 

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(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

GFCM  recommendations  apply  to  the  entire  GFCM  agreement  area,  notably  the 
Mediterranean,  the  Black  Sea  and  connecting  waters,  as  referred  to  in  Annex  II  to 
Council Decision 1998/416/EC of 16 June 19986 and therefore, for reasons of clarity 
of Community legislation, should be transposed in a single separate regulation rather 
than  through  amendments  to  Regulation  (EC)  No  1967/2006  which  only  covers  the 
Mediterranean Sea. 

Certain provisions contained in Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 should apply not only 
in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  but  in  the  entire  GFCM  area.  Those  provisions  should 
therefore be deleted from (EC) No 1967/2006 and included in this Regulation  

The  'Fisheries  Restricted  Areas'  established  by  GFCM  recommendations  for  spatial 
management measures are equivalent in effect to the 'Fishing Protected Areas' as used 
in Regulation (EC) N° 1967/2006.  

(10)  At its Annual Session of 23-27 March 2009 the GFCM adopted a recommendation on 
the establishment of a Fisheries Restricted Area in the Gulf of Lions, on the basis of 
scientific advice by Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), as contained in the report 
of its 11th session (FAO report n° 890). It is appropriate to implement this measure by 
means of an effort management system. 

(11)  The  selectivity  of  some  fishing  gears  cannot  go  beyond  a  certain  level  in 
Mediterranean  mixed  fisheries  and  that,  in  addition  to  the  control  and  limitation  of 
fishing  effort,  it  is  fundamental  to  limit  fishing  effort  in  areas  where  adults  of 
important  stocks  aggregate  in  order  to  have  a  low  risk  of  reproduction  impairment, 
thus  allowing  for  their  sustainable  exploitation.  It  is  therefore  advisable  to  first  limit 
the fishing effort exerted in the area examined by the SAC to previous levels and not 
to allow any increase of that level. 

(12)  The advice on which management measures are based should rely on the scientific use 
of  relevant  data  on  fleet  capacity  and  activity,  on  the  biological  status  of  exploited 
resources and on the social and economic situation of fisheries; these data need to be 
collected  and  submitted  in  time  to  allow  the  subsidiary  bodies  of  GFCM  to  prepare 
their advice. 

(13)  At  its  Annual  Session  in  2008  the  GFCM  adopted  a  recommendation  on  a  regional 
scheme of Port State measures to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) 
fishing in the GFCM Area. While the Community regulation on IUU fishing7 covers 
generally  the  content  of  this  recommendation  and  will  enter  into  force  on  1  January 
2010,  there  are  nevertheless  some  aspects  such  as  the  frequency,  coverage  and 
procedure for port inspections which need to be referred to in this Regulation in order 
to adapt the measure to the specificities of the GFCM area. 

(14)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted 
in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the 
procedure for the exercise of implementing powers conferred to the Commission8. In 
order to ensure that additional measures adopted by GFCM which become obligatory 
for  the  Community  can  be  implemented  within  the  timeframe  set  out  in  the  GFCM 
Agreement,  amendments  to  transpose  conservation  and  control  or  enforcement 
recommendations may be adopted following the same procedure. 

6 
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8 

OJ L 190, 4.7.1998, p. 34 
Council Regulation (EC) 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008, OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23 

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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 

TITLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Article 1 
Subject matter 

This  Regulation  lays  down  the  rules  for  the  application  by  the  Community  of  the 
conservation,  management,  exploitation,  monitoring,  marketing  and  enforcement  measures 
for fishery and aquaculture products as established by the General Fisheries Commission for 
the Mediterranean (hereinafter GFCM). 

Article 2 
Scope 

1. This Regulation applies to all commercial fishing and aquaculture activities conducted by 
Community fishing vessels and nationals of Member States in the GFCM Agreement Area. 

It shall apply without prejudice to Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006. 

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the provisions of this regulation shall not apply to 
fishing  operations  conducted  solely  for  the  purpose  of  scientific  investigations  which  are 
carried out with the permission and under the authority of the Member whose flag the vessel 
is flying and of which the Commission and the Member States in whose waters the research is 
carried out have been informed in advance. Member States conducting fishing operations for 
the  purpose  of  scientific  investigations  shall  inform  the  Commission,  the  Member  States  in 
whose  waters  the  research  is  carried  out  and  STECF  of  all  catches  from  such  fishing 
operations. 

Article 3 
Definitions 

For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions, in addition to the definitions laid 
down  in  Article  3  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  2371/20029  and  Article  2  of  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1967/2006 shall apply: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

'GFCM  agreement  area'  means  the  Mediterranean,  the  Black  Sea  and 
connecting waters, as referred to in Annex II of Council Decision 98/416/EC of 
16 June 1998 on the accession of the European Community to the GFCM. 

'Fishing  effort'  means  the  product  of  the  capacity  of  a  fishing  vessel,  both  in 
kW and in GT, and the days at sea  

'day at sea' means any calendar day a vessel is absent from port, irrespective of 
the amount of time of the day that vessel is present in an area;" 

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OJ L 358 of 31.12.2002, p. 59 

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TITLE II 
TECHNICAL MEASURES 

Chapter I 
Fisheries Restricted Areas 

SECTION I 
FISHERIES RESTRICTED AREA IN THE GULF OF LIONS 

Article 4 
Establishment of a fisheries restricted area  

A  fisheries  restricted  area  is  established  in  the  eastern  Gulf  of  Lions  (as  bounded  by  lines 
joining the following geographic coordinates: 
42°40'N, 4°20' E; 
42°40'N, 5°00' E; 
43°00'N, 4°20' E; 
43°00'N, 5°00' E; 

– 
– 
– 
– 

Article 5 
Fishing effort  

The  fishing  effort  for  demersal  stocks  of  vessels  using  towed  nets,  bottom  and  mid-water 
longlines and bottom-set nets in the fisheries restricted area as referred to in Article 4 shall not 
exceed the level of fishing effort applied in 2008 by each Member State in that area . 

Article 6 
Fishing track record 

The Member States shall submit to the Commission in electronic format, not later than by 30 
September 2009, a list of vessels flying their flag that had a track record of fishing during the 
year 2008 in the area referred to in Article 4 and in GFCM Geographical subarea 7 as defined 
in  Annex  I  .  The  list  shall  contain  the  name  of  the  vessel,  its  Community  Fleet  Register 
number10,  the  period  for  which  the  vessel  was  authorised  to  fish  in  the  area  referred  to  in 
Article  4  and  the  number  of  days  spent  by  each  vessel  in  the  year  2008  in  Geographical 
subarea 7 and more specifically in the area referred to in Article 4. 

Article 7 
Authorised vessels  

Vessels authorised to fish in the area referred to in Article 4 shall be issued a Special 
Fishing  Permit  by  their  Member  State  in  accordance  with  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1627/9411. 

as  defined  in  Annex  I  to  Commission  Regulation (EC)  No 26/2004  of  30  December  2003  on  the 
Community fishing fleet register. 
OJ L 171, 6.7.1994, p. 7–13 

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2. 

3. 

Fishing vessels not having records of fishing within the area referred to in Article 4 
prior to 31 December 2008 shall not be authorized to start fishing therein. 

Member  States  shall  communicate  to  the  Commission,  not  later  than  by  30 
September 2009, the national legislation in force at 31 December 2008 concerning  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

the maximum time of daily fishing activity allowed per vessel,  

the maximum number of days per week a vessel can stay at sea and be absent 
from port and  

the compulsory timing to exit and return to the registered port of their fishing 
vessels. 

Article 8 
Protection of sensitive habitats  

Member States shall ensure that the area referred to in Article 4 is protected from the impacts 
of any other human activity jeopardizing the conservation of the features that characterize that 
area as an area of spawners' aggregation. 

Article 9 
Information  

Before  31  January  each  year  Member  States  shall  submit  to  the  Commission  in  electronic 
format a report on the fishing activities carried out in the area referred to in Article 4. 

SECTION II 
FISHERIES RESTRICTED AREAS IN ORDER TO 
PROTECT DEEP-SEA SENSITIVE HABITATS 

Article 10 
Establishment of fisheries restricted areas  

Fishing with towed dredges and bottom trawl nets shall be prohibited in the following areas: 

(a) 

Deep  Sea  fisheries  restricted  area  "Lophelia  reef  off  Capo  Santa  Maria  di  Leuca" 
bounded by lines joining the following coordinates: 

– 
– 
– 
– 

39° 27.72' N, 18° 10.74' E 
39° 27.80' N, 18° 26.68' E 
39° 11.16' N, 18° 32.58' E 
39° 11.16' N, 18° 04.28' E; 

(b) 

Deep  Sea  fisheries  restricted  area  "The  Nile  delta  area  cold  hydrocarbon  seeps" 
bounded by lines joining the following coordinates: 

– 
– 
– 
– 

31° 30.00' N, 33° 10.00' E 
31° 30.00' N, 34° 00.00' E 
32° 00.00' N, 34° 00.00' E 
32° 00.00' N, 33° 10.00' E; 

(c) 

Deep  Sea  fisheries  restricted  area  "The  Eratosthenes  Seamount"  bounded  by  lines 
joining the following coordinates: 

– 
– 

33° 00.00' N, 32° 00.00' E 
33° 00.00' N, 33° 00.00' E 

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– 
– 

34° 00.00' N, 33° 00.00' E 
34° 00.00' N, 32° 00.00' E. 

Article 11 
Protections of sensitive habitats  

Member  States  shall  ensure  the  protection  of  the  deep-sea  sensitive  habitats  in  the  areas 
referred to in Article 10 and shall ensure in particular that those areas are protected from the 
impacts of any other activity than fishing activity jeopardising the conservation of the features 
that characterise those habitats. 

CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLOSED SEASON FOR THE DOLPHINFISH FISHERIES 
USING FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES (FADS) 

Article 12 
Closed season 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

The  common  dolphinfish  (Coryphaena  hippurus)  fisheries  using  fish  aggregating 
devices (FADs) shall be prohibited from 1 January to 14 August of each year.  

By way of derogation from paragraph 1, if a Member State can demonstrate that due 
to bad weather, the fishing vessels flying its flag were unable to utilise their normal 
fishing  days  that  Member  State  may  carry  over  days  lost  by  its  vessels  in  FAD 
fisheries  until  31  January  of  the  following  year.  In  that  case,  before  the  end  of  the 
year Member States shall submit to the Commission an application for the number of 
days to carry over.  

Paragraphs  1  and  2  shall  also  apply  in  the  management  zone  referred  to  in  Article 
26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/200612. 

The application referred to in paragraph 2 shall contain the following information: 

(a) 

a report containing the details of the cessation of fishing activities in question, 
including appropriate supporting meteorological information; 

(b) 

the name of the vessel and its Community Fleet Register number.  

The Commission shall decide on the applications referred to in paragraph 2 within 6 
weeks from the date of reception of the application and inform the Member State in 
writing.  

The  Commission  shall  inform  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  GFCM  of  decisions 
taken pursuant to paragraph 5. Before 1 November of each year Member States shall 
send  to  the  Commission  a  report  on  the  carrying  over  of  days  lost  in  the  previous 
year as referred to in paragraph 2. 

Article 13 
Special fishing permit 

Fishing vessels authorised to participate in the common dolphinfish fishery shall be granted a 
special fishing permit in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1627/94 and shall be included 

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OJ L 36, 8.2.2007, p.6–30 

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in  a  list  containing  the  name  of  the  vessel  and  its  Community  Fleet  Register  number,  to  be 
provided to the Commission by the Member State concerned. Notwithstanding Article 1(2) of 
Regulation  (EC)  No  1627/94,  vessels  of  an  overall  length  of  less  than  10  meters  shall  be 
required to have a special fishing permit. 

This  requirement  shall  also  apply  to  the  management  zone  referred  to  in  Article  26(1)  of 
Regulation 1967/2006. 

Article14 
Data collection 
Without prejudice to Council Regulation (EC) N° 199//200813 Member States shall set up an 
appropriate system of collection and treatment of fisheries catch and effort data. 

Member  States  shall  report  to  the  Commission  by  15  January  of  each  year  the  number  of 
vessels involved in the fishery, the total landings and transhipments of common dolphinfish 
carried out in the previous year by the fishing vessels flying their flag in each geographical 
sub-area of the GFCM Agreement area as set out in Annex I. 

The  Commission  shall  forward  the  information  received  from  the  Member  States  to  the 
Executive Secretary of the GFCM." 

CHAPTER III 
FISHING GEAR 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Article 15 
Minimum mesh size in the Mediterranean Sea 

The  diamond  mesh  nets  used  in  the  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  in  accordance  with 
point  2  of  Article  9(3)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  1967/2006  for  trawling  activities 
exploiting demersal stocks must have an acknowledged size selectivity equivalent to 
or higher than that of square-meshed nets of 40 mm at the cod-end. 

By  way  of  derogation  from  Article 8(1)(h)  and  from  point (2)  of  Article 9(3)  of 
Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, until 31 May 2010 Member States may continue to 
authorise fishing vessels flying their flag to use a codend mesh size smaller than 40 
mm  diamond  in  certain  local  and  seasonal  demersal  trawl  fisheries  exploiting  fish 
stocks that are not shared with third countries. 

Paragraph 2  shall  apply  only  to  fishing  activities  formally  authorised  by  Member 
States  in  accordance  with  national  law  in  force  on  1 January  2007  and  shall  not 
involve any increase in fishing effort with respect to the year 2006. 

Member  States  shall  submit  to  the  Commission  by  15 January  2010,  through  the 
accustomed data-processing support, the list of vessels authorised in accordance with 
paragraph 2, containing the following information: 

(a) 

(b) 

the name of the vessel and its Community Fleet Register number; 

the authorised fishery(ies) carried out by each vessel defined in terms of target 
stock(s),  the  fishing  area  as  set  out  in  Annex  I  and  the  technical  mesh  size 
characteristics of the fishing gear deployed; 

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5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

(c) 

the authorised fishing period. 

The  Commission  shall  forward  the  information  referred  to  in  paragraph  4  to  the 
Executive Secretary of the GFCM. 

Article 16 
Minimum mesh size in the Black Sea 

The  minimum  mesh  size  for  nets  used  for  trawling  activities  exploiting  demersal 
stocks in the Black Sea shall be 40 mm; panels of netting smaller than 40 mm mesh 
size opening shall not be used or kept on board. 

By 31 January 2012 the net referred to in paragraph 1 shall be replaced by a square-
meshed  net  of  40  mm  at  the  cod-end  or,  at  the  duly  justified  request  of  the  ship-
owner, by a diamond meshed net of 50mm which must have an acknowledged size 
selectivity equivalent to or higher than that of square-meshed nets of 40 mm at the 
cod-end. 

Member States whose fishing vessels conduct trawling activities exploiting demersal 
stocks  in  the  Black  Sea  shall  submit  to  the  Commission,  for  the  first  time  by  1 
October 2009 and subsequently every 6 months, the list of fishing vessels, and their 
percentage  out  of  the  whole  national  demersal  trawl  fleet  equipped  with  a  square-
meshed  net  of  at  least  40  mm  at  the  cod-end  or  diamond  meshed  nets  of  at  least 
50mm. 

The  Commission  shall  forward  the  information  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  to  the 
Executive Secretary of the GFCM. 

Article 17 
Use of towed dredges and trawl nets fisheries 

The use of towed dredges and trawl nets fisheries at depths beyond 1000m shall be prohibited 

TITLE III 
CONTROL MEASURES 

CHAPTER I 
REGISTER OF VESSELS 

Article 18 
Register of authorised vessels 

1. 

Before 1 December 2009 each Member State shall send the Commission, through the 
accustomed data-processing support,  an updated list of the vessels of more than 15 
metres overall length flying its flag and registered in its territory that it authorises to 
fish in the GFCM area by issue of a fishing permit. 

2. 

The list indicated in paragraph 1 shall include the following information: 

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(a) 

vessel's  Community  fleet  register  number  (CFR),  and  external  marking  as 
defined in Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 26/200414; 

(b)  period authorised for fishing and/or transhipment; 

(c) 

fishing gears used. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The  Commission  shall  send  the  updated  list  to  the  GFCM  Executive  Secretariat 
before 1 January 2010 so that these vessels can be entered on the GFCM register of 
vessels  of  more  than  15  metres  in  overall  length  authorised  to  fish  in  the  GFCM 
Agreement area (hereinafter referred to as the GFCM register). 

Any  change  to  be  made  to  the  list  indicated  in  paragraph  1  shall  be  notified  to  the 
Commission  for  transmission  to  the  GFCM  Executive  Secretariat,  the  same 
procedure applying, at least 10 working days before the vessel begins fishing activity 
in the GFCM area. 

Community  fishing  vessels  of  more  than  15  metres  in  overall  length  that  are  not 
entered on the list indicated in paragraph 1 shall not fish, retain on board, tranship or 
land any type of fish or shellfish within the GFCM area. 

6. 

Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that: 

(a) 

only vessels flying their flag that are included in the list indicated in paragraph 
1 and hold on board a fishing permit issued by them are authorised, under the 
terms of the permit, to carry out fishing activities in the GFCM area; 

(b)  no fishing permit is issued to vessels that have carried out illegal, unregulated 
and  unreported  fishing  in  the  GFCM  area  or  elsewhere  (IUU  fishing),  unless 
the  new  owners  provide  adequate  documentary  evidence  that  the  previous 
owners and operators have no longer any legal, beneficial or financial interest 
in, or exercise any control over, their vessels, or that their vessels neither take 
part in nor are associated with IUU fishing; 

(c) 

(d) 

to the extent possible, their national legislation prohibits owners and operators 
of vessels flying their flag that are included in the list indicated in paragraph 1 
from  taking  part  in  or  being  associated  with  fishing  activities  in  the  GFCM 
Agreement area by vessels not on the GFCM register; 

to  the  extent  possible,  their  national  legislation  requires  owners  of  vessels 
flying  their  flag  that  are  included  in  the  list  indicated  in  paragraph  1  to  be 
nationals or legal entities within the flag Member State; 

(e) 

their vessels comply with all the relevant GFCM conservation and management 
measures. 

Member  States  shall  take  the  necessary  measures  to  prohibit  fishing,  retention  on 
board,  transhipment  and  landing  of  fish  and  shellfish  caught  in  the  GFCM  area  by 
vessels of more than 15 metres in overall length that are not on the GFCM register. 

Member  States  shall  without  delay  pass  on  to  the  Commission  any  information 
showing  that  there  are  strong  reasons  for  suspecting  that  vessels  of  more  than  15 
metres  in  overall  length  that  are  not  on  the  GFCM  register  are  fishing  for  or 
transhipping fish and shellfish in the GFCM Agreement area. 

7. 

8. 

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CHAPTER II 
PORT STATE MEASURES 

Article 19 
Scope 

This Chapter shall apply to third country fishing vessels. 

Article 20 
Prior notice  

By way of derogation from Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 [and Article 1 of 
Regulation  EC  No  XX/XXXX  [the  IUU  implementing  Regulation]]  the  period  for  prior 
notification shall be at least 72 hours before the estimated time of arrival at the port. 

Article 21 
Port inspections  

1. 

2. 

Notwithstanding Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, Member States shall 
carry  out  inspections  in  their  designated  ports  of  at  least  15  %  of  landings  and 
transhipment operations each year. 

Notwithstanding Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, fishing vessels that 
enter into a Member States' port without prior authorisation shall be inspected in all 
cases. 

Article 22 
Inspection procedure 

In addition to the requirements provided for in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 
port inspections shall comply with the requirements set out in Annex II. 

Article 23 
Denial of use of port  

1. 

2. 

3. 

Member  States shall not allow a third-country vessel to use their ports for landing, 
transhipping or processing of fisheries products caught in the GFCM area and deny it 
access  to  port  services,  including,  inter  alia,  refuelling  and  resupplying  services, 
except in cases of force majeure or distress within the meaning of Article 18 of the 
UNCLOS for services strictly necessary to remedy those situations, if: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

the vessel is not flying the flag of a GFCM Contracting Party; or 

the vessel is included in a list of vessels having engaged in, or supported, IUU 
fishing adopted by a regional fisheries management organization; or 

the  vessel  does  not  have  a  valid  authorisation  to  engage  in  fishing  or  fishing 
related activities in the GFCM area. 

Paragraph 1 shall apply in addition to the provisions on denial of use of port provided 
for by Articles 4(2) and 37(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008.  

Where  a  Member  State  has  denied  the  use  of  its  ports  in  accordance  with 
paragraphs 1 or 2, it shall promptly notify the master of the vessel, the flag State, the 
Commission, the Executive Secretary of the GFCM of such action. 

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4. 

Where  the  grounds  for  denial  referred  to  in  paragraphs  1  or  2  no  longer  apply,  the 
Member  State  shall  withdraw  its  denial  and  notify  thereof  the  addressees  of  the 
notification issued pursuant to paragraph 3." 

TITLE IV 
COOPERATION, INFORMATION AND REPORTING 

Article 24 
Cooperation and information 

The Commission and Member States shall cooperate and exchange information with 
the Executive Secretary of the GFCM, in particular by: 

(a) 

(b) 

requesting information from, and providing information to relevant databases; 

requesting and providing cooperation to promote the effective implementation 
of this Regulation. 

Member States shall ensure that their national fisheries related information systems 
allow  for  the  direct  electronic  exchange  of  information  on  port  State  inspections 
referred to in Title III between them and the GFCM Secretariat, with due regard to 
appropriate confidentiality requirements. 

Member States shall take measures to share by electronic means information among 
relevant  national  agencies  and  to  coordinate  the  activities  of  such  agencies  in  the 
implementation of the measures under this Section. 

Member  States  shall  establish  a  list  of  contact  points  for  the  purpose  of  this 
Regulation,  which  shall  be  transmitted  electronically,  without  delay,  to  the 
Commission, the Executive Secretary of GFCM and GFCM Contracting Parties. 

Article 25 

Reporting of statistical matrices 

Member  States  shall  submit  before  1  May  each  year  to  the  Executive  Secretary  of 
GFCM the data of Task 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 of the GFCM statistical matrix as 
set out in Annex III. 

The  first  submission  of  the  data  of  Task  1.1,  1.2,  and  1.4  shall  be  made  before  1 
February 2010. 

The first submission of the data of Task 1.3 and 1.5 shall be made before 1 February 
2011. 

For  the  submission  of  data  referred  to  in  paragraph  1,  Member  States  shall  use  the 
GFCM  data-entry  system  or  any  other  appropriate  data  submission  standard  and 
protocol  set  by  the  GFCM  Secretariat  and  available  at  the  following  web-site: 
http://www.gfcm.org/gfcm/topic/16164. 

Member  States  shall  inform  the  Commission  of  the  data  submitted  on  the  basis  of 
this Article. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

EN 

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TITLE V 
FINAL PROVISIONS 

Article 26 
Implementation 

The measures necessary for implementing the provisions of this Regulation shall be adopted 
in accordance with the procedure established in Article 27 (2). 

Article 27 
Committee for fisheries and aquaculture 

1. 

2. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  a  Management  Committee  for  Fisheries  and 
Aquaculture. 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC 
shall apply. The period referred to in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be 
set at one month. 

3. 

This Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 

Article 28 

Procedure for amendments  

The provisions of this Regulation may be amended in accordance with the procedure referred 
to  in  Article  27(2)  in  order  to  transpose  into  Community  law  GFCM  recommendations  on 
conservation or control, or technical adaptations to previous GFCM recommendations, which 
become obligatory for the Community. 

The Annexes may be amended in order to transpose GFCM recommendations in accordance 
with the same procedure.  

Article 29 
Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 

Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 is amended as follows: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

in Article 4, paragraph 3 is deleted; 

Article 24 is deleted; 

in Article 27, paragraphs 1 and 4 are deleted. 

Article 30 
Amendments to Regulation No 43/2009 

In Regulation (EC) No 43/2009, Articles 28 to 31 and Annexes VII and VIII are deleted. 

Article 31 
Entry into force 

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

EN 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

15 

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A) Table of GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs) 

ANNEX I 

FAO 
SUBAREA 

FAO STATISTICAL 
DIVISIONS 

GSAs 

1.1  BALEARIC 

WESTERN 

1.2  GULF OF LIONS 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Northern Alboran Sea 

Alboran Island  

Southern Alboran Sea 

Algeria  

5 
6 

Balearic Island  
Northern Spain  
11.1  Sardinia (west) 

7 

8 

9 

Gulf of Lions  

Corsica Island  

Ligurian and North Tyrrhenian Sea 

1.3  SARDINIA  

10 

South Tyrrhenian Sea  

2.1  ADRIATIC  

CENTRAL 

2.2 

IONIAN 

3.1  AEGEAN  

EASTERN 

3.2  LEVANT 

11.2  Sardinia (east) 

12  Northern Tunisia  

17  Northern Adriatic  

18 

Southern Adriatic Sea (part) 

13  Gulf of Hammamet  

14  Gulf of Gabes  

15  Malta Island  

South of Sicily 
Southern Adriatic Sea (part) 

16 
18 
19  Western Ionian Sea  
Eastern Ionian Sea  
20 

21 

Southern Ionian Sea  

22  Aegean Sea  

23  Crete Island  

24  North Levant  

25  Cyprus Island  

26 

27 

South Levant  

Levant 

4.1  MARMARA  

28  Marmara Sea  

BLACK SEA  

4.2  BLACK SEA  

29  Black Sea  

4.3  AZOV SEA  

30  Azov Sea  

EN 

16 

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B) Map of GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs) (GFCM, 2009) 

⎯ FAO Statistical Divisions (red) ⎯ GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (black) 

01 - Northern Alboran Sea 

07 - Gulf of Lions 

13 - Gulf of Hammamet 

19 - Western Ionian Sea 

25 - Cyprus Island 

02 - Alboran Island 

08 - Corsica Island 

14 - Gulf of Gabes 

20 - Eastern Ionian Sea 

26 - South Levant 

03 - Southern Alboran Sea 

09 - Ligurian and North Tyrrhenian Sea 

15 - Malta Island 

21 - Southern Ionian Sea 

27 - Levant 

04 – Algeria 

10 - South and Central Tyrrhenian Sea 

16 - South of Sicily 

22 - Aegean Sea 

28 - Marmara Sea 

05 - Balearic Island 

11.1 - Sardinia (west) 11.2 - Sardinia (east) 

17 - Northern Adriatic 

23 - Crete Island 

29 - Black Sea 

06 - Northern Spain 

12 - Northern Tunisia 

18 - Southern Adriatic Sea 

24 - North Levant 

30 - Azov Sea 

EN 

17 

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C) Geographical coordinates for GFCM Geographical Sub-Areas (GSAs) (GFCM, 2009) 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

1 

2 

3 

Coast Line 
36º N 5º 36’ W 
36º N 3º 20’ W 
36º 05’ N 3º 20’ W 
36º 05’ N 2º 40’ W 
36º N 2º 40’ W 
36º N 1º 30’ W 
36º 30’ N 1º 30’ W 
36º 30’ N 1º W 
37º 36’ N 1º W 

36º 05’ N 3º 20’ W 
36º 05’ N 2º 40’ W 
35º 45’ N 3º 20’ W 
35º 45’ N 2º 40’ W 

Coast Line 
36º N 5º 36’ W 
35º 49’ N 5º 36’ W 
36º N 3º 20’ W 
35º 45’ N 3º 20’ W 
35º 45’ N 2º 40’ W 
36º N 2º 40’ W 
36º N 1º 13’ W 
Morocco-Algeria border 

4 

5 

6 

Coast Line 
36º N 2º 13’ W 
36º N 1º 30’ W 
36º 30’ N 1º 30’ W 
36º 30’ N 1º W 
37º N 1º W 
37º N 0º 30’ E 
38º N 0º 30’ E 
38º N 8º 35’ E 
Algeria-Tunisia border 
Morocco-Algeria border 
38º N 0º 30’ E 
39º 30’ N 0º 30’ E 
39º 30’ N 1º 30’ W 
40º N 1º 30’ E 
40º N 2º E 
40º 30’ N 2º E 
40º 30’ N 6º E 
38º N 6º E 
Coast line 
37º 36’ N 1º W 
37º N 1º W 
37º N 0º 30’ E 
39º 30’ N 0º 30’ E 
39º 30’ N 1º 30’ W 
40º N 1º 30’ E 
40º N 2º E 
40º 30’ N 2º E 
40º 30’ N 6º E 
41º 47’ N 6º E 
42º 26’ N 3º 09’ E 

7 

8 

9 

Coast line 
42º 26’ N 3º 09’ E 
41º 20’ N 8º E 
France-Italy border 

43º 15’ N 7º 38’ E 
43º 15’ N 9º 45’ E 
41º 18’ N 9º 45’ E 
41º 20’ N 8º E 
41° 18' N 8° E 

Coast line 
France-Italy border 
43º 15’ N 7º 38’ E 
43º 15’ N 9º 45’ E 
41º 18’ N 9º 45’ E 
41º 18’ N 13º E 

10 

11 

12 

Coast line (including North Sicily) 
41º 18’ N 13º E 
41º 18’ N 11º E 
38º N 11º E 
38º N 12º 30’ E 

41º 47’ N 6º E 
41° 18' N 6° E 
41º 18’ N 11º E 
38º 30’ N 11º E 
38º 30’ N 8º 30’ E 
38º N 8º 30’ E 
38º N 6º E 

Coast line 
Algeria-Tunisia border 
38º N 8º 30’ E 
38º 30’ N 8º 30’ E 
38º 30’ N 11º E 
38º N 11º E 
37º N 12º E 
37º N 11º 04’E 

EN 

18 

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GSAs 

LIMITS 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

GSAs 

LIMITS 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

Coast line 
37º N 11º 04’E 
37º N 12º E 
35º N 13º 30’ E 
35º N 11º E 

Coast line 
35º N 11º E 
35º N 15º 18’ E 
Tunisia-Libya border 

36º 30’ N 13º 30’ E 
35º N 13º 30’E 
35º N 15º 18’ E 
36º 30’ N 15º 18’ E 

Coast line 
38º N 12º 30’ E 
38º N 11º E 
37º N 12º E 
35º N 13º 30’ E 
36º 30’ N 13º 30’ E 
36º 30’ N 15º 18’ E 
37º N 15º 18’ E 

Coast line 
41º 55’ N 15º 08’ E 
Croatia-Montenegro border 

Coast lines (both sides) 
41º 55’ N 15º 08’ E 
40º 04’ N 18º 29’ E 
Croatia-Montenegro border 
Albania-Greece border 

35º 47’ N 32º E 
34º N 32º E 
34º N 35º E 
35º 47’ N 35º E 

Coast line 
Libya-Egypt border 
34º N 25º 09’ E 
34º N 34º 13’ E 
Egypt-Gaza Strip border 

Coast line 
Egypt-Gaza Strip border 
34º N 34º 13’ E 
34º N 35º E 
35º 47’ N 35º E 
Turkey-Syria border 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

Coast line (including East Sicily) 
40º 04’ N 18º 29’ E 
37º N 15º 18’ E 
35º N 15º 18’ E 
35º N 19º 10’ E 
39º 58’ N 19º 10’ E 
Coast line 
Albania-Greece border 
39º 58’ N 19º 10’ E 
35º N 19º 10’ E 
35º N 23º E 
36º 30’ N 23º E 
Coast line 
Tunisia-Libya border 
35º N 15º 18’ E 
35º N 23º E 
34º N 23º E 
34º N 25º 09’ E 
Libya-Egypt border 

Coast line 
36º 30’ N 23º E 
36º N 23º E 
36º N 26º 30’ E 
34º N 26º 30’ E 
34º N 29º E 
36º 43’ N 29º E 

36º N 23º E 
36º N 26º 30’ E 
34º N 26º 30’ E 
34º N 23º E 
Coast line 
36º 43’ N 29º E 
34º N 29º E 
34º N 32º E 
35º 47’ N 32º E 
35º 47’ N 35º E 
Turkey-Syria border 

19 

"

EN 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
ANNEX II 

Port state inspection procedures for vessels 

(1) 

Vessel identification 

The port inspector(s) shall: 

a) 

verify  that  the  official  documentation  onboard  is  valid,  if  necessary,  through 
appropriate contacts with the flag State or international records of vessels; 

b)  where necessary, arrange for an official translation of the documentation; 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

be assured that the vessel’s name, flag, any external identification number and 
markings  (and  IMO  ship  identification  number  when  available)  and  the 
international radio call sign are correct; 

to  the  extent  possible,  examine  whether  the  vessel  has  changed  name  and/or 
flag and, if so, note the previous name(s) and flag(s); 

note the port of registration, name and address of the owner (and operator and 
beneficial owner if different from the owner), agent, and master of the vessel, 
including the unique ID for company and registered owner if available; and 

note name(s) and address(es) of previous owner(s), if any, during the past five 
years. 

(2) 

Authorisation(s) 

The port inspector(s) shall verify that the authorization(s) to fish or transport fish and fishery 
products  are  compatible  with  the  information  obtained  under  paragraph  1  and  examine  the 
duration of the authorization(s) and their application to areas, species and fishing gear. 

(3) 

Other documentation 

The  port  inspector(s)  shall  review  all  relevant  documentation,  including  documents  in 
electronic  format.  Relevant  documentation  may  include  logbooks,  in  particular  the  fishing 
logbook, as well as the crew list, stowage plans and drawings or descriptions of fish holds if 
available.  Such  holds  or  areas  may  be  inspected  in  order  to  verify  whether  their  size  and 
composition  correspond  to  these  drawings  or  descriptions  and  whether  the  stowage  is  in 
accordance with the stowage plans. Where appropriate, this documentation shall also include 
catch  documents  or  trade  documents  issued  by  any  regional  fisheries  management 
organization. 

(4) 

Fishing gear 

a) 

The port inspector(s) shall verify that the fishing gear on board is in conformity 
with  the  conditions  of  the  authorization(s).  The  gear  may  also  be  checked  to 
ensure that features such as, inter alia, the mesh size(s) (and possible devices), 
length  of  nets,  hook  sizes  conform  with  applicable  regulations  and  that 
identification marks of the gear correspond to those authorized for the vessel. 

b) 

The  port  inspector(s)  may  also  search  the  vessel  for  any  fishing  gear  stowed 
out of sight and for fishing gear that is otherwise illegal. 

(5) 

Fish and fishery products 

(a)  The port inspector(s) shall, to the greatest extent possible, examine whether the 
fish  and  fishery  products  on  board  were  harvested  in  accordance  with  the 
conditions  set  out  in  the  applicable  authorization(s).  In  doing  so,  the  port 

EN 

20 

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(b) 

(c) 

inspector(s)  shall  examine  the  fishing  logbook,  reports  submitted,  including 
those transmitted by a vessel monitoring system (VMS), as appropriate. 

In order to determine the quantities and species on board, the port inspector(s) 
may examine the fish in the hold or during the landing. In doing so, the port 
inspector(s)  may  open  cartons  where  the  fish  has  been  pre-packed  and  move 
the fish or cartons to ascertain the integrity of fish holds. 

If  the  vessel  is  unloading,  the  port  inspector(s)  may  verify  the  species  and 
quantities  landed.  Such  verification  may  include  product  type,  live  weight 
(quantities  determined  from  the  logbook)  and  the  conversion  factor  used  for 
calculating  processed  weight  to  live  weight.  The  port  inspector(s)  may  also 
examine any possible quantities retained onboard. 

(d)  The  port  inspector(s)  may  review  the  quantity  and  composition  of  all  catch 

onboard, including by sampling. 

(6) 

Verification of IUU fishing 

Article 11 of Regulation 1005/2008 applies. 

(7) 

Report 

A written report shall be prepared and signed by the inspector on completion of the inspection 
and a copy provided to the master of the vessel. 

(8) 

Results of Port State Inspections 

Results of port State inspections shall include at least the following information: 

•  1. 

Inspection references 

–  Inspecting authority (name of inspecting authority or the alternate body nominated 

by the authority); 
–  Name of inspector; 
–  Date and time of inspection; 
–  Port of inspection (place where the vessel is inspected); and 
–  Date (date the report is completed). 

•  2.  Vessel identification 

–  Name of the vessel; 
–  Type of vessel; 
–  Type of gear; 
–  External  identification  number  (side  number  of  the  vessel)  and  IMO-number  (if 

available) or other number as appropriate; 

–  International Radio Call Sign; 
–  MMS I-number (Maritime Mobile Service Identity number), if available; 
–  Flag State (State where the vessel is registered); 
–  Previous name(s) and flag(s), if any; 
–  Home port (port of registration of the vessel) and previous home ports; 
–  Vessel owner (name, address, contact of the vessel owner); 
–  Vessel beneficial owner if different from the vessel owner (name, address, 
–  Contact); 
–  Vessel operator responsible for using the vessel if different from the vessel owner 

(name, address, contact); 

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21 

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–  Vessel agent (name, address, contact) 
–  Name(s) and address(es) of previous owner(s), if any; 
–  Name, nationality and maritime qualifications of master and fishing master; 
–  Crew list 

•  3.  Fishing authorization (licenses/permits) 

–  The vessels’ authorization(s)to fish or transport fish and fish products; 
–  State(s) issuing the authorization(s); 
–  Terms of the authorization(s), including areas and duration; 
–  Relevant regional fisheries management organization; 
–  Areas, scope and duration of the authorization(s); 
–  Details of allocation authorized — quota, effort or other; 
–  Species, by-catch and fishing gear authorized; and 
–  Transhipment records and documents (where applicable). 

•  4. Fishing trip information 

–  Date, time, zone and place current fishing trip commenced; 
–  Areas visited (entry and exit from different areas); 
–  Transhipment activities at sea (date, species, place, quantity of fish transhipped) 
–  Last port visited; and 
–  Date and time where current fishing trip ended 
–  Intended next port of call, as appropriate. 

•  5. Result of the inspection on the catch 

–  Start and end of discharge (times and date): 
–  Fish species; 
–  Product type; 
–  Live weight (quantities determined from the log book); 
–  Relevant conversion factor; 
–  Processed weight (quantities landed by species and presentation); 
–  Equivalent  live  weight  (quantities  landed  in  equivalent  live  weight,  as  “product 

Weight multiplied with the conversion factor”); and 

–  Intended destination of fish and fishery products inspected. 
–  Quantity and species of fish retained on board, if any. 

•  6. Results of gear inspection 

–  Details of gear types. 

•  7. Conclusions 

–  Conclusions of the inspection including identification of the violations believed to 
have  been  committed  and  reference  to  the  relevant  rules  and  measures.  Such 
evidence shall be attached to the inspection report. 

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ANNEX III 

A) GFCM/SAC Fleet Segmentation 

Groups 

<6 metres 

6-12 metres 

12-24 metres 

1.Polyvalent small-scale vessels without engine 
2. Polyvalent small-scale vessels with engine 

A 

B 

3. Trawlers 

4. Purse seiners 

5. Long liners 

6. Pelagic Trawlers 

7. Tuna seiners 

8. Dredgers 

9. Polyvalent vessels 

Description of segments 

C 

D 

G 

E 

I 

J 

H 

K 

M 

L 

More than 
24 metres 

F 

Polyvalent  small-scale  vessels  without  engine  -  All  vessels  less  than  12  metres  in  length 

A 
(LOA) without an engine (wind or propulsion). 

Polyvalent small-scale vessels with engine less than 6 m - All vessels under 6 metres in length 

B 
(LOA) with engine. 

Polyvalent small-scale vessels with engine between 6 and 12 metres - All vessels between 6 
C 
and  12  metres  in  length  (LOA)  with  engine,  that  use  different  gears  during  the  year  without  clear 
predominance of one of them or that use a gear not considered in this classification. 

Trawlers less than 12 m - All vessels less than 12 metres in length (LOA) allocating more than 

D 
50 percent of their effort operating with a demersal trawl. 

Trawlers  between  12  and  24  m  -  All  vessels,  between  12  and  24  metres  in  length  (LOA) 

E 
allocating more than 50 percent of their effort operating with a demersal trawl. 

Trawlers longer than 24 m - All vessels over 24 metres in length (LOA), allocating more than 

F 
50 percent of their effort operating with a demersal trawl. 

Purse  Seiners  between  6  and  12  m  -  All  vessels  between  6  and  12  m  in  length  (LOA), 

G 
allocating more than 50 percent of their effort operating with a purse seine. 

Purse Seiners longer than 12 m - All vessels over 12 m in length (LOA), allocating more than 
H 
50 percent of their effort operating with a purse seine, excluding those using a tuna seine during any 
time of the year. 

Long liners longer than 6 m - All vessels over 6 m in length (LOA), allocating more than 50 

I 
percent of their effort operating with a long line. 

Pelagic Trawlers longer than 6 m - All vessels over 6 m in length (LOA), allocating more than 

J 
50 percent of their effort operating with a pelagic trawl. 

K 

Tuna Seiners - All vessels operating with a Tuna Seine for any length of time during the year. 

Dredgers  longer  than  6  m  -  All  vessels  over  6  m  in  length  (LOA),  allocating  more  than  50 

L 
percent of their effort operating with a dredge. 

EN 

23 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Polyvalent  vessels  longer  than  12  m  -  All  vessels  over  12  metres  in  length  (LOA),  that  use 
M 
different  gears  during  the  year  without  clear  predominance  of  one  of  them  or  that  use  a  gear  not 
considered in this classification. 

Note:  All  the  cells  are  open  for  collecting  information.  The  cells  left  blank  in  the  above  table  are 
considered as unlikely to have a significant population. However, if necessary, it is advisable to merge 
the information of a “blank cell” with the most appropriate neighbouring “blue cell” 

EN 

24 

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Gear 

Dredge 
molluscs) 
Trawl 
(including 
dredges 
flatfishes) 

(for 

for 

B) Table on fishing effort15 measurement 

Number and dimension 
Open  mouth,  width  of 
mouth 
Type  of  trawl  (pelagic, 
bottom) 

Capacity 

Activity 

GT 

GT 

Time fishing 

Time 

Nominal Effort16 
Dredged 
bottom 
surface17 
GT*days 

Fishing 

GT*hours 

KW*days 

GT and/or GRT 

Engine power 

Mesh size 

Size  of  the  net  (width  of 
mouth) 

Purse seine  

Speed 
Length and drop of the net 

GT 

Search time 

GT * Fishing sets16 

GT 

Light power 

Set 

Length  and 
drop  of  the 
net 

Length of the net * 

fishing sets 

Nets  

Number of small boats 
Type  of  net  (e.g.trammel 
net, 

length 

Net 
and drop 

Time fishing 

Net length * days 

Surface*days 

gillnets, etc.) 

Net 
length 
regulations) 

(used 

in 

GT 

Net surface 

Mesh size 

15 
16 

17 

It refers to nominal effort. 
Should be referred to a particular area (indicating the surface) to estimate fishing intensity (effort • km2) 
and to relate the effort to exploited communities 
The effort measures that do not include a time activity should be referred to a period of time (i.e. by 
year). 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Long lines  

Number of hooks 

Number of 

Time fishing 

Number of hooks * 

GT 

hooks 

hours 

Number of longline 

Number of 

Characteristics of hooks 

longline unit

Bait  

GT 

Traps  

Purse 

Number of FADs 

Number of 

Time 

traps 

fishing 
Number of 

Number of hooks * 
days 

Number of longline 

units * days/hours 
Number  of  traps  * 
days 

Number of FADs * 

seine/FADs 

trips 

Number of trips 

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
C) GFCM Task 1 – Operational Units  

EN 

27 

EN