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1. The measures set out in Parts A, B and C.

2. Member States shall take the necessary steps to collect scientific data on incidental catches of sensitive species.

3. As a result of scientific evidence, validated by ICES, STECF, or in the framework of GFCM, of negative impacts of fishing gear on sensitive species, Member States shall submit joint recommendations for additional mitigation measures for the reduction of incidental catches of the concerned species or in a concerned area on the basis of Article 15 of this Regulation.

4. Member States shall monitor and assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures established under this Annex. PART A Cetaceans 1. Fisheries in which the use of acousÑtic deterrent devices is mandatory 1.1. It shall be prohibited:

(a) for vessels with an overall length of 12 m or more to use the fishing gear in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of active acoustic deterrent devices.

(b) for all vessels to use the fishing gear in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of active acoustic deterrent devices.

1.2. Point 1.1 shall not apply to fishing operations conducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigation which are carried out with the authorisation and under the authority of the Member State or Member States concerned and which aim at developing new technical measures to reduce the incidental capture or killing of cetaceans.

1.3. Member States shall take necessary steps to monitor and assess by means of scientific studies or pilot projects, the effects of acoustic deterrent device use over time in the fisheries and areas concerned.

2. Fisheries to be monitored 2.1. Monitoring schemes shall be undertaken on an annual basis and established for vessels flying their flag and with an overall length of 15 m or more to monitor cetacean by-catch, for the fisheries and under the conditions defined below.

2.2. Point 2.1 shall not apply to fishing operations conducted solely for the purpose of scientific investigation which are carried out with the authorisation and under the authority of the Member State or Member States concerned and which aim at developing new technical measures to reduce the incidental capture or killing of cetaceans.

3. Special measures in the Baltic Sea 3.1. Fishing shall only be permitted with pots, fish traps and longlines within the following areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: ‘Northern Midsea Bank’: 3.2. Fishing with all types of static nets () shall be prohibited within the following areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: Natura 2000 site ‘Hoburgs bank och Midsjöbankarna’ (SE0330308) ‘Southern Midsea Bank’

The Southern Midsea Bank is defined as the Swedish part of the Southern Midsea Bank, covering all waters between the Natura 2000 site Hoburgs bank och Midsjöbankarna (SE0330308) and the Swedish-Polish border. Polish waters are delimited as the area within the following coordinates: 3.3. Fishing with static nets shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following sets of coordinates between 1 November and 31 January: Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke’ (DK00VA261) Natura 2000 site ‘Adlergrund’ (DE1251301) Natura 2000 site ‘Westliche Rönnebank’ (DE1249301) Natura 2000 site ‘Pommersche Bucht mit Oderbank’ (DE1652301) Natura 2000 site ‘Greifswalder Boddenrandschwelle und Teile der Pommerschen Bucht’ (DE1749302) The area of sea enclosed by: a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: b) The coastline from 54,35002° N 13,72601°E to 54,27765°N 13,75007°E Natura 2000 site ‘Ostoja na Zatoce Pomorskiej’ (PLH990002). The area of sea enclosed by: a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: b) the coast from 54,15804°N 15,38067°E to 54,00013°N 14,65346°E

c) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: d) the coast from 53,93854°N 14,45827°E to 53,92176°N 14,28495°E e) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates, read in column order: f) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates, read in column order: The marine part of the Natura 2000 site ‘Wolin i Uznam’ (PLH320019) The area is defined as that area of sea enclosed by joining: a) rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: b) The coastline between 53,93854°N and 14,45827°E Natura 2000 site ‘Pommersche Bucht’ (DE1552401) The area of sea enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following coordinates: 3.4. Fishing with static nets shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by rhumb lines sequentially joining the following sets of coordinates from 1 November to 30 April. Natura 2000 site ‘Sydvästskånes utsjövatten’ (SE0430187) 3.5. Member States shall ensure that the control authorities can monitor fishing vessel’s activity at any time to implement the measures laid down in points 3.1 to 3.4.

4. Special measures in the Bay of Biscay (ICES Subarea 8) 4.1. Fishing prohibition:

Fishing shall be prohibited in French waters up to the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone of France within ICES Subarea 8 between 22 January and 20 February 2025 for vessels above 8 metres carrying on board pelagic trawls (PTM, OTM), demersal pair trawls (PTB), purse seines (PS), set gillnets (GNS), trammel nets (GTR) or combined gillnets and trammel nets (GTN).

4.2. Monitoring measures: 4.2.1. The following monitoring measures shall apply until 31 December 2025.

4.2.2. Masters of all Union fishing vessels shall record separately in the fishing logbook incidental catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans (), regardless of quantities and weight; 4.2.3. Member States shall collect data on catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans through on-board observers or electronic monitoring systems incorporating cameras, by covering:

— at least 1 % of the total fishing effort measured in number of days at sea for pelagic pair trawls (PTM), bottom pair trawls (PTB), midwater otter trawls (OTM), trammel nets (GTR), set gillnets (GNS) and purse seine (PS) fishing all year long, and

— at least 5 % of the total fishing effort measured in number of days at sea for pelagic pair trawls (PTM), bottom pair trawls (PTB) and midwater otter trawls (OTM) fishing from January to March 2025; 4.2.4. during the high-risk period of incidental catches:

— Member States may increase monitoring coverage on trammel nets (GTR) and set anchored gillnets (GNS) between 2 % and 5 % of the total fishing effort measured in days at sea;

— vessels may be equipped with electronic monitoring systems incorporating cameras. PART B Seabirds Where the data referred to in point 2 of the introductory paragraph of this Annex indicate a level of incidental catches of seabirds in specific fisheries which constitutes a serious threat to the conservation status of those seabirds, Member States shall use bird scaring lines and/or weighted lines, if it is scientifically proven that such use has a conservation benefit in that area, and where practical and beneficial shall set longlines during the hours of darkness with the minimum of deck lighting necessary for safety. PART C Marine turtles 1. Fisheries in which the use of a turtle excluder device is mandatory.

1.1. It shall be prohibited for vessels to use the fishing gear specified below in specific areas as defined below without the simultaneous use of a turtle excluder device.

1.2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts establishing detailed rules for the specification of the device referred to in point 1.1.