Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of amending Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area
Date: 2018-03-22
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, agreement (EU), conservation of fish stocks, fishery resources, fishing agreement, fishing area, fishing regulations, regional authority, sea fishing

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 22.3.2018 COM(2018) 143 final 2018/0069 (COD)  Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of amending Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area  
 
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The proposal aims at transposing in Union law a number of measures adopted by the General 
Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) at its annual sessions of 2015, 2016 and 
2017. The GFCM is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation established under Article 
XIV  of  the  FAO  Constitution;  its  main  objectives  are  to  promote  the  development, 
conservation,  rational  management  and  best  utilization  of  living  marine  resources  and  the 
sustainable  development  of  aquaculture  in  the  Mediterranean,  Black  Sea  and  connecting 
waters. The GFCM has the authority to adopt compulsory decisions (“recommendations”) in 
its area of competence; these acts are essentially addressed to its contracting parties but may 
also contain obligations for operators (e.g. the vessel master). The recommendations become 
binding  within  120  days  after  the  date  of  first  notification,  provided  that  no  objections  are 
lodged.  

The  EU  and  ten  Member  States  (Bulgaria,  Croatia,  Cyprus,  France,  Greece,  Italy,  Malta, 
Slovenia, Spain and Romania) are contracting parties to the GFCM Agreement. To the extent 
to  which  the  content  of  the  GFCM  recommendations  is  not  covered  or  is  only  partially 
covered  by  existing  Union  Law,  the  transposition  of  the  relevant  GFCM  provisions  is 
necessary  to  ensure  that  the  latter  will  receive  uniform  and  effective  application  throughout 
the European Union.  

The  last  transposition  of  GFCM  decisions  was  done  by  means  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 
1343/20111  as  amended  by  the  Regulation  (EU)  N°2015/21022.  The  current  proposal  will 
insert into that legislative act the measures to be transposed by way of amendments to it.  

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

The  proposal  is  consistent  with  the  Comon  Fisheries  Policy  “CFP”.  It  covers  conservation 
measures,  management  measures,  monitoring,  control  and  surveillance  measures  and 
measures  to  fight  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated    fishing.  These  measures  concern  the 
European hake and the deep-water rose shrimp in the Strait of Sicily the turbot in the Black 
Sea,  the  blackspot  seabream  in  the  Alboran  Sea  and  the  red  coral.  The  proposal  also 
establishes  a  fishing  restricted  area  in  Adriatic  (Jabuka/PomoPit  area).  These  measures  go 
beyond the existing EU regulation.   

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2 

Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on 
certain  provisions  for  fishing  in  the  GFCM  (General  Fisheries  Commission  for  the  Mediterranean) 
Agreement  area  and  amending  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1967/2006  concerning  management 
measures  for  the  sustainable  exploitation  of  fishery  resources  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  (OJ  L  347, 
30.12.2011, p. 44). 
Regulation  (EU)  2015/2102  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  28  October  2015 
amending  Regulation  (EU)  No  1343/2011  on  certain  provisions  for  fishing  in  the  GFCM  (General 
Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area (OJ L 308, 28.11.2015, p.1-10) 

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2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 

• 

Subsidiarity  

The proposal falls under exclusive competence of the European Union. 

• 

Proportionality 

The proposed text will ensure the transposition of the relevant GFCM measures in Union law 
without exceeding what is necessary to achieve the objective pursued. 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

Proposed instrument: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending an 
existing Regulation. 

Other means would not be adequate for the following reason: a Regulation must be amended 
by a Regulation. 

3. 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

There was no need for consultation of interested parties or for impact assessment. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

This measure does not involve any additional Union expenditure. 

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2018/0069 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

of amending Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 on certain provisions for fishing in the 
GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Agreement area 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 43(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

The  Agreement  for  the  establishment  of  the  General  Fisheries  Commission  for  the 
Mediterranean  (‘the  GFCM  Agreement’)  provides  an  appropriate  framework  for 
multilateral  cooperation 
the  development,  conservation,  rational 
management and best utilisation of living marine resources in the Mediterranean and 
the Black Sea at levels which are considered sustainable and at low risk of collapse. 

to  promote 

The  European  Union,  as  well  as  Bulgaria,  Greece,  Spain,  France,  Croatia,  Italy, 
Cyprus,  Malta,  Romania  and  Slovenia  are  contracting  parties  to  the  GFCM 
Agreement. 

Recommendations adopted by the GFCM are binding on its contracting parties. As the 
Union  is  a  contracting  party  to  the  GFCM  Agreement,  those  recommendations  are 
binding on the Union and should therefore be implemented in Union law unless their 
content is already covered thereby. 

Regulation  (EU)  No  1343/2011  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  lays 
down certain provisions for fishing in the GFCM Agreement area. It is the appropriate 
legislative  act  for  implementing  the  content  of  GFCM  recommendations  adopted  by 
the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and not yet covered 
by Union law. 

in  2015, 

its  Annual  Session 

the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
At 
GFCM/39/2015/2  on  the  establishment  of  a  set  of  minimum  standards  for  bottom 
trawling  fisheries  on  demersal  stocks  in  the  Strait  of  Sicily.  Those  standards  include 
technical  conservation  measures 
(Parapenaeus 
longirostris)  and  hake  (Merluccius  merluccius).  Parts  of  those  measures  are  already 

for  deep-water 

rose  shrimp 

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contained  in  Annex  III  to  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1967/20063  on  minimum 
reference  sizes  of  the  species  concerned.  However,  the  measures  concerning  fleet 
management  contained  in  Recommendation  39/2015/2  should  be  implemented  in 
Union law by means of Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011. 

in  2015, 

its  Annual  Session 

the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
At 
GFCM/39/2015/3  on  the  establishment  of  a  set  of  measures  to  prevent,  deter  and 
eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in turbot (Psetta maxima) 
fisheries  in  the  Black  Sea.  Most  of  those  measures  are  already  provided  for  in 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 26/20044, Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/20085, 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/20096, Regulation (EU) No 1380/20137, Regulation 
(EU) No 1343/2011 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/20118. A 
number  of  fleet  management  measures  laid  down  in  Recommendation  39/2015/2 are 
not  covered  by  the  Union  legislation  and  should  therefore be  included in  Regulation 
(EU) No 1343/2011. 

in  2016, 

its  Annual  Session 

At 
the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/40/2016/4,  establishing  a  multiannual  management  plan  for  the  fisheries 
exploiting  European  hake  and  deep-water  rose  shrimp  in  the  Strait  of  Sicily 
(geographical  subareas  (GSA)  12  to  16).  Some  of  the  elements  of  that  multiannual 
plan  are  already  provided  for  in  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  26/2004  and 
Regulation  (EU)  No  1380/2013.  Nevertheless,  certain  measures  of  Recommendation 
40/2016/4  are  not  covered  by  Union  legislation  and  should  therefore  be  included  in 
Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011. 

its  Annual  Session 

At 
the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/41/2017/2 on the management of blackspot seabream fisheries in the Alboran 
Sea  (geographical  subareas  1,  2,  3)  for  a  two  year  transition  period.  The  operational 
objective  of  that  Recommendation  is  to  maintain  fishing  mortality  for  blackspot 

in  2017, 

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1967/2006  of  21  December  2006  concerning  management  measures  for 
the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 (OJ L 409, 30.12.2006, p. 11) 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  26/2004  of  30  December  2003  on  the  Community  fishing  fleet 
register (OJ L 5, 9.01.2004, p. 25) 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  of  29  September  2008  establishing  a  Community  system  to 
prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) 
No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 
and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1) 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for 
ensuring  compliance  with  the  rules  of  the  common  fisheries  policy,  amending  Regulations  (EC)  No 
847/96,  (EC)  No  2371/2002,  (EC)  No  811/2004,  (EC)  No  768/2005,  (EC)  No  2115/2005,  (EC)  No 
2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 
1300/2008,  (EC)  No  1342/2008  and  repealing  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/93,  (EC)  No  1627/94  and 
(EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1) 
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on 
the  Common  Fisheries  Policy,  amending  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No  1954/2003  and  (EC)  No 
1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council 
Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22) 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules 
for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009  establishing  a  Community  control 
system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.04.2011, 
p. 1) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

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(9) 

(10) 

seabream  within  agreed  precautionary  reference  points  and  achieve  or  maintain  the 
maximum sustainable yield as soon as possible. 

its  Annual  Session 

At 
the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/41/2017/3  on  the  establishment  of  a  fisheries  restricted  area  in  the 
Jabuka/Pomo Pit in the Adriatic Sea. 

in  2017, 

in  2017, 

its  Annual  Session 

 At 
the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/41/2017/4  on  a  multiannual  management  plan  for  turbot  fisheries  in 
geographical  subarea  29,  the  Black  Sea.  The  Recommendation  establishes  a  set  of 
management measures, technical measures, fleet measures and control measures, as a 
pilot  project  to  fight  turbot  IUU  fishing  in  Black  Sea.  Some  of  the  elements  of  that 
multiannual  plan  are  already  provided  for  in  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No 
26/2004,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/20089,  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1224/200910,  Regulation  (EU)  No  1380/2013Regulation  (EU)  No  1343/2011  and 
Commission  Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  No  404/201111.  Nevertheless,  certain 
measures  of  Recommendation  41/2017/4  are  not  covered  by  Union  legislation  and 
should therefore be included in Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011.  

(11)  At 

its  Annual  Session 

the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/41/2017/5 on the establishment of a regional adaptive management plan for the 
exploitation of red coral in the Mediterranean Sea. 

in  2017, 

(12)  At 

in  2017, 

its  Annual  Session 

the  GFCM  adopted  Recommendation 
GFCM/41/2017/8 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme outside 
the waters under national jurisdiction of geographical subareas 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 
(Strait  of  Sicily)  to  which  Member  States  may  decide  to  participate.  To  ensure 
compliance with the common fisheries policy, Union legislation has been adopted to 
establish  a  system  of  control,  inspection  and  enforcement,  which  includes  the  fight 
against  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated  (IUU)  activities.  In  particular,  Council 
Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/200912  establishes  a  Union  system  for  control,  inspection 
and  enforcement  with  a  global  and  integrated  approach  so  as  to  ensure  compliance 
with  all  the  rules  of  the  common  fisheries  policy.  Commission  Implementing 

9 

10 

11 

12 

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  of  29  September  2008  establishing  a  Community  system  to 
prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) 
No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations  (EC) No 1093/94 
and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1) 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for 
ensuring  compliance  with  the  rules  of  the  common  fisheries  policy,  amending  Regulations  (EC)  No 
847/96,  (EC)  No  2371/2002,  (EC)  No  811/2004,  (EC)  No  768/2005,  (EC)  No  2115/2005,  (EC)  No 
2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 
1300/2008,  (EC)  No  1342/2008  and  repealing  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/93,  (EC)  No  1627/94  and 
(EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1) 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules 
for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009  establishing  a  Community  control 
system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.04.2011, 
p. 1) 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009  of  20  November  2009  establishing  a  Community  control 
system for ensuring compliance with the rules of  the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations 
(EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) 
No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) 
No  1300/2008,  (EC)  No  1342/2008  and  repealing  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/93,  (EC)  No  1627/94 
and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1). 

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Regulation  (EU)  No  404/201113  lays  down  detailed  rules  for  the  implementation  of 
Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/200814 establishes 
a  Community  system  to  prevent,  deter  and  eliminate  illegal,  unreported  and 
unregulated fishing. Those Regulations already provide for a number of the measures 
laid down in the Recommendation  GFCM/41/2017/8.  It is therefore not  necessary to 
include  those  measures  in  this  Regulation.  Nevertheless,  certain  measures  of  that 
Recommendation  are  not  covered  by  Union  legislation  and  should  therefore  be 
included in Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011. 

(13)  Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 

Regulation (EU) No 1343/2011 is amended as follows: 

(1) 

Article 3 is amended as follows: 

(a) 

 the introductory sentence is replaced by the following: 

‘For  the  purposes  of  this  Regulation  the  following  definitions  shall  apply  in  addition  to  the 
definitions laid down in Article 4 of Regulation 1380/2013*, Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 
1967/2006 and Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009: 

––––––––– 
(*)Regulation 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 
on  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy,  amending  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No 1954/2003  and 
(EC)  No  1224/2009  and  repealing  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No  2371/2002  and  (EC)  No 
639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28/12/2013, p.22).’; 

(b) 

the following points (e) and (f) are added: 

(e) 

(f) 

“buffer  area”'  means  a  zone  set  up  around  a  fisheries  restricted  area  in 
order to  avoid accidental access to it; 

“Targeting blackspot  seabream”  means  carrying  out  fishing  activities  in 
which the quantities of blackspot seabream on board or landed constitute 
more than 20% of the catch in live weight after sorting per tide.’. 

(2) 

The following Article 10a is inserted: 

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14 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules 
for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009  establishing  a  Community  control 
system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, p. 
1). 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  of  29  September  2008  establishing  a  Community  system  to 
prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) 
No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 
and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1). 

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‘Article 10a  
Fisheries restricted areas in the Strait of Sicily 

Fishing with bottom trawl nets shall be prohibited in the: 

(1) 

fisheries restricted  area  “East  of  Adventure  Bank”  bound  by  lines  joining  the 
following coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 37° 23,850′ N, 12° 30,072′ E 

37° 23,884′ N, 12° 48,282′ E 

37° 11,567′ N, 12° 48,305′ E 

37° 11,532′ N, 12° 30,095′ E 

(2) 

fisheries  restricted  area  “West  of  Gela  Basin”  bound  by  lines  joining  the 
following coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 37° 12,040′ N, 13° 17,925′ E 

 37° 12,047′ N, 13° 36,170′ E 

 36° 59,725′ N, 13° 36,175′ E 

36° 59,717′ N, 13° 17,930′ E 

(3) 

fisheries  restricted  area  “East  of  Malta  Bank”  bound  by  lines  joining  the 
following coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 36° 12,621′ N, 15° 13,338′ E 

 36° 12,621′ N, 15° 26,062′ E 

 36° 59,344′ N, 15° 26,062′ E 

 36° 59,344′ N, 15° 13,338′ E’. 

(3) 

The following Articles 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e are inserted: 

‘Article 10b 
Buffer areas in the Strait of Sicily 

1. 

2. 

 A buffer area bounded by lines joining the following coordinates shall be established 
around the fisheries restricted area “East of Adventure Bank” as referred to in Article 
10a(1): 

– 

– 

– 

– 

37° 24,849′ N, 12° 28,814′ E 

37° 24,888′ N, 12° 49,536′ E 

37° 10,567′ N, 12° 49,559′ E 

37° 10,528′ N, 12° 28,845′ E 

A buffer area bounded by lines joining the following coordinates shall be established 
around  the  fisheries  restricted  area  “West  of  Gela  Basin”  as  referred  to  in  Article 
10a(2): 

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– 

– 

– 

– 

37° 13,041′ N, 13° 16,672′ E 

37° 13,049′ N, 13° 37,422′ E 

36° 58,723′ N, 13° 37,424′ E 

36° 58,715′ N, 13° 16,682′ E 

3. 

4. 

A buffer area bounded by lines joining the following coordinates shall be established 
around  the  fisheries  restricted  area  “East  of  Malta  Bank”  as  referred  to  in 
Article10a(3): 

– 

– 

– 

– 

36° 13,624′ N, 15° 12,102′ E 

36° 13,624′ N, 15° 27,298′ E 

36° 58,342′ N, 15° 27,294′ E 

36° 58,342′ N, 15° 12,106′ E 

Vessels  carrying  out  fishing  activities  with  bottom  trawl  nets  in  the  buffer  areas 
referred  to  in  this  Article  shall  ensure  appropriate  transmission  frequency  of  their 
vessel  monitoring  system  (VMS)  signals.  Vessels  not  equipped  with  a  VMS 
transponder  and  aiming  to  fish  with  bottom  trawl  nets  in  the  buffer  areas  shall  be 
equipped  with  any  other  system  of  geo-localisation  allowing  control  authorities  to 
track their activities. 

Article 10c 
Fishing restrictions in the Jabuka / Pomo Pit area in the Adriatic Sea 

1. 

Recreational fishing and fishing with bottom set nets, bottom trawl nets, set longlines 
and  traps  shall  be  prohibited  in  an  area  bounded  by  lines  joining  the  following 
coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 43° 32,044' N, 15° 16,501' E 

 43° 05,452' N, 14° 58,658' E 

 43° 03,477' N, 14° 54,982' E 

 42°50,450' N, 15°07,431' E 

 42°55,618' N, 15°18,194' E 

 43°17,436' N, 15°29,496' E 

2. 

 43°24,758' N, 15°33,215' E 

– 
From  1st  September  to  31  October  each  year,  fishing  with  bottom  set  nets,  bottom 
trawl  nets,  set  longlines  and  traps  shall  be  prohibited,  in  an  area  bounded  by  lines 
joining the following coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 43° 03,477' N, 14° 54,982' E 

 42° 49,811' N, 14° 29,550' E 

 42° 35,205' N, 14° 59,611' E 

 42° 49,668' N, 15° 05,802' E 

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3. 

 42° 50,450' N, 15° 07,431' E 

– 
From  1st  September  to  31  October  each  year,  recreational  fishing  and  fishing  with 
bottom set nets, bottom trawl nets, set longlines and traps shall be prohibited, in an 
area bounded by lines joining the following coordinates: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

 43°17,436' N, 15°29,496' E 

 43°24,758' N, 15°33,215' E 

 43°20,345' N, 15°47,012' E 

 43°18,150' N, 15°51,362' E 

 43°13,984' N, 15°55,232' E 

 43°12,873' N, 15°52,761' E 

 43°13,494' N, 15°40,040' E 

Article 10d 
Authorised vessels in the Jabuka / Pomo Pit area 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Without  prejudice  to  paragraphs  (2)  and  (3)  of  Article  10c,  commercial  fishing 
activities carried out with bottom set nets, bottom trawl nets, set longlines and traps 
shall only be allowed, in the area referred to in those paragraphs, if the vessel is in 
possession of a specific authorisation, and if it can demonstrate that it has historically 
carried out fishing activities in the areas concerned. 

Authorised  vessels  fishing  with  bottom  trawl  nets  shall  be  entitled  to  fish  only  on 
Saturdays  and  Sundays  from  5.00  H  till  22.00  H.  Authorised  vessels  fishing  with 
bottom  set  nets,  set  longlines  and  traps  shall  be  allowed to  fish  only  from  Monday 
05.00 H till Thursday 22.00 H.  

The Vessels authorised to fish in the area referred to in Article 10c(2) and (3) with 
the  gears  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  of  this  Article  shall  be  issued  with  a  fishing 
authorisation by their Member State in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) 
No 1224/2009. 

Member States shall communicate to the executive Secretariat of the GFCM, no later 
than 30 April 2018, the list of authorised vessels established  for the year 2018 and 
subsequently,  not  later  than  30  April  each  year,  the  list  of  authorised  vessels  
established  for  the  forthcoming  year.  For  each  vessel,  the  list  shall  contain  the 
following information:  

(a)  Vessel name; 

(b)  Vessel register number; 

(c)  GFCM  unique  identifier  (country  ISO  3-alpha  code  +  9  digits,  e.g. 

xxx000000001); 

(d)  Previous name (if any); 

(e)  Previous flag (if any); 

(f)  Previous details of deletion from other registers (if any); 

(g) 

International radio call sign (if any); 

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(h)  Type  of  vessel,  length  overall  (LOA)  and  gross  tonnage  (GT)  and/or  gross 

registered tonnage (GRT); 

(i)  Name and address of owner(s) and operator(s); 

(j)  Main gear(s) used to fish in the Fisheries Restricted Area; 

(k)  Seasonal period authorized for fishing in the Fisheries Restricted Area; 

(l)  Number of fishing days that can be exerted by each vessel; 

(m)  Designated port. 

Authorised fishing  vessels  shall  only  land  catches  of  demersal  stocks  in  designated 
ports.  To  this  end,  each  Member  State  concerned  shall  designate  ports  in  which 
landings  of  catches  from  the  Fisheries  Restricted  Area  of  Jabuka/Pomo  Pit  are 
authorised. The list of those ports shall be communicated to the GFCM Secretariat by 
30 April each year.  

Fishing vessels authorised to fish in in the areas referred to in Article 10c(2) and (3) 
with the gears referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall have VMS and/or AIS 
systems  working  correctly,  and  the  fishing  gears  on  board  or  in  use  shall  be  duly 
identified, numbered and marked before starting any fishing operations or navigating 
in those areas. 

Fishing vessels  equipped with  bottom set nets, bottom trawl nets,  set  longlines  and 
traps  without  authorisations  shall  be  allowed  to  transit  through  the  Fisheries 
Restricted Area only if they follow a direct course at a constant speed of not less than 
7 knots and with VMS and/or AIS active on board. 

Article 10e                                                                                                                       

Spatial/temporal restrictions in the Alboran Sea 

Taking  into  account  the  available  scientific  advice,  Member  States  may  establish 
spatial/temporal  restrictions  in  the  Alboran  Sea  (GFCM  geographical  subareas  1,  2 
and  3,  as  defined  in  Annex  I),    in  which  fishing  activities  shall  be  banned  or 
restricted in order to protect juvenile and/or spawner aggregation areas of blackspot 
seabream.  

Member  States  shall  notify  to  the  GFCM  by  31st  January  2019  the  areas  and  the 
restrictions applied by them.’  

5. 

6. 

7. 

1. 

2. 

(4) 

In Title II, the following Chapter IIa is inserted: 

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‘CHAPTER IIa 

CLOSED FISHING SEASONS IN THE BLACK SEA 

Article 14a                                                                                                                                 

Closure period during the spawning season of turbot in the Black Sea 

1. 

2. 

Within the period from April to June every year, each Member State concerned shall 
establish a closure period of at least two months in the Black Sea. 

Member  States  may  designate  additional  spatial/temporal  restrictions  in  which 
fishing activities shall be banned or restricted in order to protect aggregation areas of 
juveniles of turbot.’ 

(5) 

The following Articles 16ca and 16cb are inserted: 

‘Article 16ca                                                                                                                   

Precautionary closures for red coral  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

When  a  trigger  catch  level  of  red  coral  as  defined  in  paragraphs  2  and  3  has  been 
reached,  Member  States  shall  temporally  close  the  area  concerned  to  any  red  coral 
fishery. 

The  trigger  catch  level  shall  be  deemed  to  be  reached  when  colonies  of  red  coral 
whose basal diameter is lower than 7 mm exceed 25 % of the total catch harvested 
from a given red coral bank for a given year.  

Where coral banks have not yet been properly identified, the trigger catch level and 
the  closure  provided  for  in  paragraph  1  shall  apply  at  the  scale  of  the  GFCM 
statistical rectangle. 

In their decision establishing a closure  as referred to in paragraph 1,Member States 
shall  define  the  geographical  area  concerned,  the  duration  of  the  closure  and  the 
conditions governing fisheries in that area during the closure. 

Member  States  establishing  closures  shall  inform  the  GFCM  Secretariat  and  the 
Commission without delay.  

Article 16 cb 
Spatial /temporal closures 

Member  States  actively  harvesting  red  coral  shall  introduce  additional  closures  for  the 
protection  of  red  coral  on  the  basis  of  the  scientific  advice  available  and  not  later  than  1 
January 2019.’ 

(6) 

The following Title IIa is inserted: 

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‘TITLE  IIa 
FISHING  CAPACITY AND  FISHING OPPORTUNITIES 

Article 16m  
Catch limits for red coral  

Each  Member  State  may  establish  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  a  system  of  individual  daily 
and/or annual catch limits for red coral.  

Article 16n                                                                                                                                    

1. 

2. 

(7) 

(8) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Fishing fleet capacity or fishing effort for blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea 

At  the  latest  in  2020,  Member  States  shall  maintain  the  levels  of  fishing  fleet 
capacity or fishing effort at the levels authorized and exerted the two previous years 
for  the  exploitation  of  the  blackspot  seabream  in  the  Alboran  Sea  (GFCM 
geographical subareas 1, 2 and 3, as defined in Annex I). 

The fishing fleet capacity or fishing effort restrictions referred to in paragraph 1 shall 
apply to all commercial and recreational fishing vessels catching blackspot seabream. 
’ 

Article 17a is deleted. 

In Title III,  the following Chapters III and IV are added: 

‘CHAPTER III 

Control of coral fisheries  

Article 22a  
Fishing authorisations for red coral 

Vessels  and  fishers  authorised  to  harvest  red  coral  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  shall 
have a valid fishing authorisation, which shall specify the technical conditions under 
which the fishery may be carried out.  

In the absence of an authorisation as referred to in paragraph 1, it shall be prohibited 
to harvest, retain on board, tranship, land, transfer, store, sell or display or offer for 
sell red coral. 

Member States shall maintain an updated register of fishing authorisations  referred 
to in paragraph 1 and communicate to the GFCM Secretariat and the Commission no 
later than 30 April each year the list of vessels for which the authorisations have been 
issued. That  list  shall include for each vessel the following information: 

(a)  Vessel name 

(b)  Vessel register number (code assigned by the contracting party)  

(c)  GFCM  registration  number  (country  ISO  3-alpha  code  +  9  digits,  e.g. 

xxx000000001) 

(d)  Port of registration (full name of the port) 

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(e)  Previous name (if any) 

(f)  Previous flag (if any) 

(g)  Previous details of deletion from other registers (if any)  

(h) 

International radio call sign (if any) 

(i)  VMS or  other equipment for vessel geo-localization   (indicate Y/N) 

(j)  Vessel  type,  length  overall  (LOA)  and  gross  tonnage  (GT)  and/or  gross 

registered tonnage (GRT) and engine power expressed in kW 

(k)  Safety and security equipment to host observer(s) on board (indicate Y/N) 

(l)  Time period in which fishing red coral is authorised 

(m)  Area(s) in which fishing red coral is authorised : GFCM geographical subareas  

and cells of the GFCM statistical grid 

(n)  Participation  in  research  programmes  led  by  national/international  scientific 

institutions (indicate Y/N; provide some description) 

4. 

Member States shall not increase the number of fishing authorisations until scientific 
advice indicates a favourable status of the red coral populations. 

Article 22b                                                                                                                         

Recording of catches for red coral  

1. 

2. 

Fishers or masters of the vessels authorised to harvest red coral shall record catches 
in live weight, and if possible the number of colonies, after fishing operations, or at 
the latest when landed at port in case daily fishing trips. 

Fishing  vessels  authorised  to  harvest  red  coral  shall  have  on  board  a  logbook  in 
which  the  daily  catches  of  red  coral,  irrespective  of  the  live  weight  of  the  harvest, 
and fishing activity by area and depths are recorded, including the number of fishing 
days  and  dives.  That  information  shall  be  communicated  to  the  competent  national 
authorities  within  the  deadline  laid  down  in  Article  14(6)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1224/2009. 

Article 22c                                                                                                                              

Prior notification for red coral  

Between  two  and  four  hours  before  the  estimated  time  of  arrival  at  port,  the  masters  of  the  
fishing  vessels  or  their  representative  shall  notify  the  relevant  authorities  the  following 
information: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

the estimated time of arrival; 

the external identification number and the name of the fishing vessel; 

the  estimated  quantity  in  live  weight  and  if  possible  the  number  of  red  coral 
colonies retained on board; 

(d) 

the information on the geographical area where the catch was taken. 

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Article 22d     
Designated ports for red coral  

Authorised fishers or fishing vessels shall only land red coral catches in designated ports. To 
this end, each Member State shall designate ports in which landing red coral is authorised and 
communicate a list of those ports to the GFCM Secretariat by 30 April each year, unless there 
is no change of designated ports already communicated. 

Article 22e                                                                                                                              

Control of landings of red coral 

Each Member State shall establish a control programme based on risk analysis, in particular to 
verify the landings and validate the logbooks. 

Article 22f                                                                                                                        

Transhipment of red coral 

Transhipment operations at sea of red coral shall be prohibited. 

Article 22g                                                                                                                                  

Scientific information for red coral  

The  Member  States  having  fishing  fleets  targeting  red  corals  shall  ensure  that a  mechanism 
for  adequate  scientific  monitoring  of  fisheries  and  catches  is  duly  in  place  with  a  view  to 
allow  the  Scientific  Advisory  committee  of  GFCM  to  provide  descriptive  information  and 
advice on at least: 

(a)  The  deployed  fishing  effort  (e.g.  number  of  fishing  dives/week)  and  overall 

catch levels by stocks at local, national or supranational level; 

(b)  The  conservation  and  management  reference  points  with  a  view  to  further 
improve the regional management plan in line with the objective of maximum 
sustainable yield and low risk of stock collapse; 

(c)  The  biological  and  socio-economic  effects  of  alternative  management 
scenarios,  including  input/output  control  and/or  technical  measures,  as 
proposed by the contracting parties to the GFCM; 

(d)  Possible spatial /temporal closures in order to preserve fishery sustainability; 

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CHAPTER IV  
CONTROL MEASURES RELATING TO CERTAIN 
GEOGRAPHICAL SUBAREAS 

SECTION 1 
CONTROL OF BLACKSPOT SEABREAM FISHERIES IN THE ALBORAN SEA 

Reporting of seabream daily catches and by-catches 

Article 22h                                                                                                                                 

Without  prejudice  to  Article  14  of  Regulation  1224/2009  Member  States  shall  establish  a 
mechanism to ensure that all commercial blackspot seabream daily catches and by-catches in 
the Alboran Sea (GFCM geographical subareas 1, 2, 3, as defined in Annex I), irrespective of 
the live weight of the catch, are reported. As for recreational fisheries, Member States shall 
record or make estimations of the catches of that species. 

Fishing authorisations and fishing activities  

Article 22i                                                                                                                                  

1. 

2. 

Member States shall establish a register of the fishing vessels authorized to carry on 
board  or  land  quantities  of  blackspot  seabream  caught  in  the  Alboran  Sea  that 
constitute more than 20% of the catch in live weight after sorting per tide . 

Fishing  vessels  targeting  blackspot  seabream  shall  only  be  allowed  to  carry  out 
fishing activities if these are indicated in a valid fishing authorization issued by the 
competent  authorities  and  specifying  the  technical  conditions  under  which  such 
activities  may  be  carried  out.  The  authorisation  shall  include  the  data  set  out  in 
Annex VIII. 

3. 

Member States shall communicate to the GFCM Secretariat:  

(a) 

by the end of February of each year, the list of operating vessels for which the 
authorisation has been delivered for the current or the following year(s); the list 
shall contain the data set out in Annex VIII;  

(b)  by the end of November each year,  from 30 November 2018  and at the latest 
from  30  November  2020,  a  report  on  fishing  activities  carried  out  by  the 
vessels  referred  to  in  Article  22i(1),  in  an  aggregated  format,  including  the 
following minimum information:  

(i) 

number of fishing days,  

(ii) 

exploitation area, and  

(iii)  captures of blackspot seabream.  

4. 

All  vessels  above  12  metres  length  overall  authorized  to  target  blackspot  seabream 
shall be equipped with vessel monitoring system (VMS) or any other system of geo-
localisation allowing control authorities to track their activities. 

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Article 22j                                                                                                                                     

Scientific monitoring 

Member  States  having  fishing  fleets  targeting  blackspot  seabream  shall  collect  descriptive 
data on at least:  

(a) 

the  characteristics  of  the  fishing  gears,  inter  alia,  the  maximum  length  of  the 
longline and fixed nets and the number, type and size of the hooks; 

(b)    the deployed fishing effort (e.g. number of fishing days/week) and overall catch 
levels  by  commercial  fishing  fleets;  an  estimation  of  catches  of  recreational 
fisheries should also be provided; 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

the  conservation  and  management  reference  points  with  a  view  to  establish 
multiannual  management  plans  for  sustainable  fisheries  in  line  with  the  
objective of maximum sustainable yield and low risk of stock collapse; 

the  socioeconomic  effects  of  alternative  management  scenarios,  including 
input/output  control  and/or  technical  measures,  as  identified  by  the  GFCM 
and/or contracting parties;  

possible spatial/temporal closures in order to preserve fishery sustainability; 

the  potential  impact  of  recreational  fisheries  on  the  status  of  the  blackspot 
seabream stock(s). 

SECTION 2 

STRAIT OF SICILY 

Authorisations for bottom trawling fisheries on demersal stocks in the Strait of Sicily 

Article 22k                                                                                                                         

1. 

2. 

Bottom  trawling  vessels  targeting  demersal  stocks  in  the  Strait  of  Sicily  (GFCM 
geographical  subareas  12,  13,  14,  15  and  16,  as  defined  in  Annex  I),  shall  only  be 
allowed  to  carry  out  the  specific  fishing  activities  indicated  in  a  valid  fishing 
authorization  issued  by  the  competent  authorities  and  specifying  the  technical 
conditions under which such activities shall be carried out. 

The  fishing  authorisation  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  shall  include,  in  addition  to  the 
data defined in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2017/218, the following data: 

(a)  GFCM registration number; 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

 previous name (if any); 

 previous flag (if any); 

 previous details of deletion from other registers (if any). 

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International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme in the Strait of Sicily 

Article 22l                                                                                                                                

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

With the aim to ensure compliance with the provisions set out in Article 10a and 10b, 
Member States may carry out inspection and surveillance activities in the framework 
of an International Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme (the Scheme) covering 
the waters outside national jurisdiction in GFCM geographical subareas 12, 13, 14, 
15 and 16, as defined in Annex I (' the inspection and surveillance area').  

Each Member State shall, no later than 1 December of each year, notify to the GFCM 
Secretariat  the  list  of  the  names  of  inspectors  authorised  to  perform  the  inspection 
and surveillance in the area referred to in paragraph 1.  

Inspectors  shall  carry  identity  documentation  issued  by  the  authorities  of  the  flag 
Member State, which shall be in the form set out in Annex IV. 

Each Member State concerned shall notify the names of the vessels and aircrafts used 
for  inspection  and  surveillance  to  the  GFCM  Secretariat  by  15  December  of  the 
previous  year  or  as  soon  as  possible  before  the  commencement  of  inspection 
activities.  

Vessels carrying out boarding and inspection duties in accordance with the Scheme 
shall fly a special flag or pennant, as described in Annex V.  

A  Member  State  may  by  mutual  agreement  with  another  GFCM  contracting  party 
deploy  inspectors  it  has  assigned  to  the  Scheme  to  an  inspection  platform  of  that 
other  contracting  party.  It  shall  notify  the  GFCM  Secretariat  in  advance  of  such 
deployment. 

Each Member State shall ensure that every inspection platform entitled to fly its flag 
operating in the area referred to in paragraph 1 maintains secure contact, daily where 
possible,  with  every  other  inspection  platform  operating  in  that  area,  to  exchange 
information necessary to coordinate the activities.  

Each Member State with an inspection or surveillance presence in the area referred to 
in paragraph 1 shall provide to each inspection platform, upon its entry into the area, 
a list of sightings, boardings and inspections it has conducted in the previous ten-day 
period, including dates, coordinates and any other relevant information. 

Article 22m                                                                                                                                     

Conduct of inspections 

1. 

Each  Member  State  with  an  inspection  presence  in  the  area  referred  to  in  Article 
22k(1) shall ensure that its inspectors: 

(a)  prior to boarding, notify the fishing vessel of the name of the inspection vessel; 

(b)  display, on the inspection vessel and boarding vessel, the pennant described in 

Annex V; 

(c) 

limit each inspection team to a maximum of three inspectors. 

2. 

Upon  boarding  the  vessel,  inspectors  shall  produce  the  identity  card  described  in 
Annex IV to the master of the fishing vessel. Inspections shall be conducted in one of 

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3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

the official languages of GFCM and, where possible, in the language spoken by the 
master of the fishing vessel. 

Inspectors  shall  limit  their  enquiries  to  the  verification  of  compliance  with  Article 
10a and 10b by the flag State of the vessel concerned.  

Inspectors shall draw up a report of the inspection in the format set out in Annex VI.  

Inspectors shall sign the report in the presence of the master of the vessel who shall 
be entitled to add or have added to the report any observations which he or she may 
think suitable and who also must sign. 

Copies of the report shall be given to the master of the vessel and to the authorities of 
the inspection party, which shall transmit copies to the authorities of the flag State of 
the inspected vessel and to the GFCM Secretariat. 

The size of the inspection party and length of the inspection shall be determined by 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  inspection  vessel  taking  into  account  all  relevant 
circumstances.   

Article 22n                                                                                                                          

Infringements 

1. 

For  the  purposes  of  this  Article,  the  following  activities  shall  be  considered  as 
infringements: 

(a) 

the  activities  referred  to  in  Article  3(1)(a),(b),(c),(e),(f),(g)  and  (h)  of 
Regulation 1005/2008; 

(b) 

 interference with satellite monitoring system; and  

(c) 

operating without an VMS system. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

In  the  case  of  any  boarding  and  inspection  of  a  fishing  vessel  during  which  the 
inspectors  detect  an  infringement,  the  authorities  of  the  flag  Member  State  of  the 
inspection  vessel  shall  immediately  notify  the  flag  State  of  the  fishing  vessel  both 
directly and through the GFCM Secretariat. 

The  flag  Member  State  of  the  vessel  shall  ensure  that,  following  an  inspection 
referred to in paragraph 2, the fishing vessel concerned ceases all fishing activities. 
The flag Member State shall require the fishing vessel to proceed within 72 hours to 
a port designated by it, where an investigation shall be initiated. 

In the case where an inspection has detected an infringement, the actions and follow-
up taken by the flag Member State shall be notified to its national authorities, as well 
as the GFCM Secretariat. 

Member  States’  authorities  shall  act  on  inspection  reports,  as  referred  to  in  Article 
22m(4), and statements resulting from documentary inspections by  inspectors on a 
similar basis as they act on reports and statements of national inspectors. 

SECTION 3 
BLACK SEA 

Article 22o 

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Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in 
turbot fisheries in the Black Sea 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

By  30  November  each  year,  each  Member  State  shall  send  to  the  Commission, 
through the accustomed data-processing support, an updated list of the vessels using 
bottom-set  gillnets  authorized  to  fish  turbot  in  the  Black  Sea  (GFCM  geographical 
subarea 29, as defined in Annex I). 

The  list  indicated  in  paragraph  1  shall  include,  in  addition  to  the  data  set  out  in 
Annex I to Regulation 26/2004, the following data: 

(a)  GFCM registration number; 

(b)  previous name (if any); 

(c)  previous flag (if any); 

(d)  previous details of deletion from other registers (if any) 

(e)  main target species; 

(f)  main  gear(s)  used  for  turbot,  fleet segment  and  operational  unit  as  defined  in 

the Task 1 statistical matrix set out in Section C of Annex III; 

(g) 

time period authorized for fishing with gillnet or any other gear likely to fish 
turbot (if any of such authorization). 

Upon request by the GFCM, Member States shall report information on the fishing 
vessels  authorized  to  engage  in  a  fishing  activity  in  a  given  period.  In  particular, 
Member States shall report the names of the fishing vessels concerned, their external 
identification number and the fishing opportunities allocated to each of them. 

Unmarked  abandoned  gillnets  used  in  turbot  fisheries  and  found  at  sea  shall  be 
collected  by  the  competent  authorities  of  the  coastal  Member  State.  Subsequently, 
those nets shall either be seized until the owner is duly identified or destroyed if the 
owner cannot be identified. 

Each Member State concerned shall designate landing points, in which landings and 
transhipping  of  turbot  caught  in  the  Black  Sea  shall  take  place,  in  accordance  with 
Article  43(5)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009.  A  list  of  such  points  shall  be 
communicated to the GFCM Secretariat no later than 30 November of each year. 

It shall be prohibited to land or tranship from fishing vessels any quantity of turbot 
caught  in  the  Black  Sea  at  any  other  place  than  the  landing  points  referred  to  in 
paragraph 5. 

Article 22p 
National monitoring, control and surveillance plans for turbot fisheries in the Black Sea 

1. 

2. 

Member  States  shall  establish  national  monitoring,  control  and  surveillance  plans 
('national  plans')  in  order  to  implement  the  provisions  of  Article  22o  by  ensuring, 
inter  alia,  a  proper  and  accurate  monitoring  and  recording  of  the  monthly  catches 
and/or fishing effort deployed. 

The  following  elements  shall  be  contained  in  the  national  plans  referred  to  in 
paragraph 1: 

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(a) 

(b) 

clear  definition  of  the  means  of  control,  with  description of  human,  technical 
and financial means specifically available for the implementation of the plans; 

clear  definition  of  the  inspection  strategy,  (including  inspection  protocols), 
which shall concentrate on fishing vessels likely to catch turbot and associated 
species. 

(c)  Action plans for the control of markets and transport shall be included; 

(d)  definition  of inspection tasks and procedures, including  the sampling strategy 
applied to verify the weighing of catches at first sale and the sampling strategy 
for vessels that are not subject to logbook/landing declaration rules; 

(e) 

explanatory  guidelines  for  inspectors,  producer  organizations  and  fishers 
regarding the set of rules in place for fisheries likely to catch turbo, including: 

(i) 

rules  for  the  completion  of  documents,  including  inspection  reports, 
fishing  logbooks,  transhipment  declarations,  landing  and  take-over 
declarations, transport documents and sales notes; 

(ii) 

technical  measures 
in  force, 
dimensions, minimum catch size, temporary restrictions; 

including  mesh  size  and/or  mesh 

(iii)  sampling strategies, 

(iv)  cross-check mechanisms. 

(f) 

training of national inspectors in accordance with the requirements specified in 
Annex II of this Regulation. 

Article 22q 
Scientific monitoring of turbot fisheries in the Black Sea 

The Member States shall communicate to the GFCM Scientific Advisory Committee on 
Fisheries (SAC), not later than 30 November of each year, any additional information in 
support of the scientific monitoring of turbot fisheries in the Black Sea.’ 

(9) 

Article 23a is amended as follows: 

(a) 

 in paragraph 1, point (a) is replaced by the following: 

‘(a) 

the data on red coral referred to in Article 22b; and’; 

(b) 

 the following paragraph 8 is added: 

‘8.  Member  States  shall  submit  a  detailed  report  of  its  fishing  activities  to 
the GFCM Secretariat and the Commission  by 30 June  each year. Such 
report shall include at least information on total catches and exploitation 
areas and, if possible, on the number of divings and the average catch per 
diving.’. 

(10) 

Annexes IV, V, VI, VII and VIII are added as set out in the Annex to this Regulation. 

EN 

Article 2 
Entry into force 

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This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

ANNEX  

The following Annexes  IV, V, VI, VII and VIII  are  added to Regulation (EU) No 
1343/2011: 

"ANNEX IV 

Model of Identity Card for GFCM inspectors 

General Fisheries Commission 

for the Mediterranean 

GFCM 

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GFCM 

INSPECTOR IDENTITY CARD 

The holder of this inspector identity card is a GFCM inspector duly appointed 
under the terms of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean 
(GFCM) Joint Inspection and Surveillance Scheme and has the power to act 
under the provisions of GFCM rules. 

Contracting Party 

Inspector Name: 

Photograph 

Card n° 

Issue date: 

……………………………… 

Issuing Authority 

……………………………… 
Inspector 

Valid for five years 

ANNEX V 

Model of GFCM inspection pennant 

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ANNEX VI 

GFCM Inspection Report 

1. INSPECTOR(s)  

Name…………….……………………Contracting 
Identity Card number………………… 

Name…………….……………………Contracting 
Identity Card number………………… 

Name…………….……………………Contracting 
Identity Card number………………… 

Party…………….…………….GFCM 

Party…………….…………….GFCM 

Party…………….…………….GFCM 

2. VESSEL CARRYING THE INSPECTOR(S) 

2.1 Name and Registration ………………………………………… 

2.2 Flag…………………………………………………………….. 

3. INFORMATION ON VESSEL INSPECTED  

3.1 Name and Registration…………………………………………....….. 

3.2 Flag…………………………………………………………………............... 

3.3 Captain (Name and address)…………………………………………. 

3.4 Ship owner (Name and address)……………………………………. 

3.5 GFCM Record number…………………………………………....…….. 

3.6 Type of vessel………………………………………....…....…....…….... 

4. POSITION 

4.1  Position  as  determined  by  inspecting  vessel’s  master  at  ………UTC;  Lat………. 
Long………  

4.2 Position as determined by fishing vessel’s master at ………UTC; Lat……… Long………  

5. DATE AND TIMES THE INSPECTION COMMENCED AND FINISHED  

5.1 Date ……… Time arrived on board ……… UTC-Time of Departure ………UTC  

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6. TYPE OF FISHING GEAR ON BOARD  

Bottom otter trawl – OTB  

Mid-water  otter 
OTM 

trawl  – 

Shrimp trawls – TBS 

Purse seine – PS 

Gillnets  anchored  (set)  – 
GNS 

Set longlines – LLS 

Recreational gear – RG 

Other (Specify) 

7. MESH MEASUREMENT - IN MILLIMETERS  

7.1 Legal mesh size to be used: ………………mm 

7.2 Result of the average mesh size measurement: ……………mm 

7.3 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

8. INSPECTION OF CATCHES ON BOARD 

8.1 Results of the inspection of the fish on board 

SPECIES  

tri  alpha 

(FAO 
Code) 

Total (Kg) 

Presentation 

Sample inspected 

of 
% 
undersize 

fish 

8.2 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

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9. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS ON BOARD AND VMS 

9.1 Fishing Log Book: YES  - NO  

9.2 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

9.3 Fishing License: YES  - NO  

9.4 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

9.5 Specific authorisation: YES  - NO  

9.6 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

9.7 VMS: YES  - NO  --------in function: YES  - NO  

9.8 Infringement: YES  - NO  -------- In case of YES, legal reference: 

10. LIST OF VIOLATIONS 

□ Fishing without a license, permit or authorization issued by the flag CPC – legal reference:, 

□ Failure to maintain sufficient records of catch and catch-related data in accordance with the 
GFCM’s reporting requirements or significant misreporting of such catch and/or catch-related 
data – legal reference:; 

□ Fishing in a closed area – legal reference:  

□ Fishing during a closed season– legal reference:  

□ Use of prohibited fishing gear – legal reference: 

□  Falsification  or  intentionally  concealment  of  the  markings,  identity  or  registration  of  a 
fishing vessel – legal reference: 

□ Concealment, tampering with or disposal of evidence relating to investigation of a violation 
– legal reference: 

□ Multiple violations which taken together constitute a serious disregard of measures in force 
pursuant to the GFCM; 

□ Assault, resistance, intimidation, sexual harassment, interference with, or undue obstruction 
or delay of an authorized inspector; 

□  Interference  with  the  satellite  monitoring  system  and/or  operates  without  VMS  system  – 
legal reference: 

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11. LIST OF DOCUMENTS COPIED ON BOARD 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………….. 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………. 

12. COMMENTS AND SIGNATURE BY THE MASTER OF VESSEL  

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………….. 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………. 

Signature of master: ………………………………………………………………….. 

13. COMMENTS AND SIGNATURE BY THE INSPECTOR(S)  

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………….. 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………. 

Signature 
………………………………………………………….  

inspector 

of 

(s):  

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- 

– 

ANNEX VII 

GFCM Sighting Report 

1. Date of the sightings: ……/……/…….. Time:…………………UTC 

Position 

2. 
of 
Longitude……………………………. 

vessel 

the 

sighted:  Latitude……………………… 

3. 
Speed……………………………………….. 

Course:……………………………….. 

4. Name of the vessel sighted: 

5. Flag of the vessel sighted: 

6. External number/marking: 

7. Type of vessel:  

Fishing vessel  

Carrier vessel 

Freezer vessel  

Other (specify) 

8. International Radio Call Sign: 

9. IMO number (where applicable) : 

10. Activity (ies): 

Fishing 

Steaming 

Drifting 

Transhipping 

11. Radio contact: YES - NO 

12.  Name 
vessel:………………………………………….. 

nationality 

and 

of 

the 

captain 

of 

the 

sighted 

13. 
vessel:…………………………………………………………….. 

Number 

people 

board 

on 

of 

the 

sighted 

14. 
…………………………………………………………………………………… 

Catches 

sighted 

board 

on 

vessel: 

15. Information collected by: 

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Name of inspector: 

Contracting Party: 

GFCM Identity Card number: 

Name of the patrol vessel: 

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 ANNEX VIII 

Data to be included in the list of vessels targeting blackspot seabream 

The list referred to Article 22i shall contain, for each vessel, the following information: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Vessel name  

Vessel register number (code assigned by CPCs) 

GFCM  registration  number  (country  ISO  3-alpha  code  +  9  digits,  e.g. 
xxx000000001) 

Port of registration (full name of the port) 

Previous name (if any)  

Previous flag (if any)  

Previous details of deletion from other registers (if any)  

International radio call sign (if any) 

VMS (indicate Y/N) 

Type of vessel, length overall (LOA) and gross tonnage (GT) and/or gross registered 
tonnage (GRT) and engine power expressed in kW 

Name and address of owner(s) and operator(s) 

Main  gear(s)  used  to  fish  for  blackspot  seabream  and  fleet  segment  allocation  and 
operational unit as identified in the DCRF 

Seasonal period authorized for fishing blackspot seabream" 

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