Article 1 
Member States are hereby authorised to become party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, of the International Maritime Organization, adopted on 7 July 1995, in respect of those parts falling under the competence of the Union. Member States, when reporting to the Secretary-General of the IMO in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention, shall, if appropriate, with reference to Chapter I, Regulation 10 of the Annex to the Convention, provide information on relevant national provisions regarding the recognition of certificates of competency of personnel on board fishing vessels covered by the Convention, taking into account obligations laid down by relevant Union law on the recognition of qualifications.
Article 2 
Member States which have fishing vessels flying their flag, ports receiving seagoing fishing vessels which fall within the scope of the Convention, or training institutions for fishing vessel personnel, and which have not yet become party to the Convention, shall endeavour to take the necessary steps to deposit their instrument of accession to the Convention with the Secretary-General of the IMO within a reasonable time and, if possible, by 23 May 2017. The Commission shall present a report to the Council reviewing the progress of accession by 23 May 2018.
Article 3 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.