Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00604:clause:2_15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00604
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 2 cl 15
Character Range: 124859–126744

15  Conservation of cetaceans
15.1  A person using a boat to fish for tuna or tuna‑like species on the high seas within the IOTC Area must not set a purse seine net around a cetacean if the cetacean is sighted prior to the commencement of the set.
15.2  If a cetacean is encircled in a purse seine net, the person must:
 (a) take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe release of the cetacean, including following the best practice guidelines for the safe release and handling of cetaceans developed by the IOTC Scientific Committee; and
 (b) record for each encirclement incident the following information:
 (i) the species of cetacean (if known);
 (ii) the number of cetaceans encircled;
 (iii) a short description of the interaction with the cetacean, including details of how and why the interaction occurred (if possible);
 (iv) the location of the encirclement;
 (v) the steps taken to ensure the safe release of the cetacean;
 (vi) the life status of the cetacean on release, including whether the cetacean was released alive but subsequently died; and
 (c) report the information to the appropriate authority of the flag State of the boat.
15.3  A person using a boat to fish for tuna or tuna‑like species on the high seas within the IOTC Area using fishing gear other than a purse seine net must:
 (a) record for each incident involving a cetacean the following information:
 (i) the species (if known);
 (ii) the number of cetaceans involved;
 (iii) a short description of the incident, including details of how and why the incident occurred (if possible);
 (iv) the location of the incident;
 (v) the steps taken to ensure the safe release of the cetacean;
 (vi) the life status of the cetacean on release, including whether the cetacean was released alive but subsequently died; and
 (b) report the information to the appropriate authority of the flag State of the boat.