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1. Before the start of a transfer operation, including a voluntary transfer, the donor operator shall send to the flag, farm or trap Member State a prior transfer notification indicating:

(a) the number and the estimated weight of the bluefin tuna individuals to be transferred;

(b) the name and ICCAT number of the catching vessel, towing vessels, farm or trap;

(c) the date and the location of the catch;

(d) the date and estimated time of transfer;

(e) the estimated position (latitude and longitude) where the transfer will take place and the donor and receiving cage numbers;

(f) the name and ICCAT number of the farm of destination;

(g) the name and ICCAT number of the donor farm, in the case of a transfer from the farm cage to a transport cage;

(h) the cage numbers of the two farm cages and any transport cages involved, in the case of intra-farm transfers.

————— 3. A unique identifying number as referred to in Article 45c shall be assigned to all cages used in transfer operations and associated transport of live bluefin tuna.

4. The Member State to which a transfer notification has been sent pursuant to paragraph 1 shall assign and communicate to the master of the fishing vessel, or operator of the trap or farm as appropriate, an authorisation number for each transfer operation. The authorisation number shall include the three-letter Member State code, four numbers showing the year and three letters indicating either positive authorisation (AUT) or negative (NEG) followed by sequential numbers.

5. The Member State referred to in paragraph 1 shall, within 48 hours following the submission of the prior transfer notification, authorise or refuse to authorise the transfer. The transfer shall not begin without the prior authorisation number indicating the positive authorisation (AUT) issued.

6. The transfer authorisation shall not prejudge the confirmation of the caging operation.

7. Voluntary and control transfers shall not be subject to a new transfer authorisation.