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1. It is prohibited to conduct bottom trawling and fishing with static gear, including bottom set gillnets and bottom set longlines, outside the existing bottom fishing areas listed in Annex III. This paragraph does not apply to exploratory bottom fishing activities as set out in Article 5.

2. It is prohibited to conduct bottom trawling and fishing with static gear, including bottom set gillnets and bottom set longlines, within the areas listed in point 8 of Annex IV.

3. The master of a Union fishing vessel carrying out bottom fishing shall quantify the catches of VME indicator species. Where the quantity of VME indicator species amounts to an encounter in a fishing operation, the master shall:

(a) if the encounter is discovered in connection with the hauling of a trawl gear, cease fishing and move out of an area defined as a 2 nautical mile wide band (polygon) on both sides of the track of the trawl haul during which an encounter occurred; the track is defined as the line joining consecutive VMS positions, supplemented by the most precise available positioning information, between the start and the end of the tow, extended by 2 nautical miles at both ends;

(b) if the encounter is discovered in connection with other bottom fishing gear, cease fishing and move away at least 2 nautical miles from the position that the evidence suggests is closest to the exact encounter location.

4. The master shall use all available sources of information and report without delay to the flag Member State the details of the incident, including the track or position determined pursuant to paragraph 3, points (a) and (b).

5. The accuracy of the information reported to the flag Member State shall be the responsibility of the master.

6. The flag Member State shall send without delay the details of the incident to the Commission, which shall forward this information to the NEAFC Secretariat.

7. Masters of Union fishing vessels shall comply with temporary closures in the areas identified and communicated by NEAFC following information on encounters with possible VMEs until the NEAFC Secretariat notifies the re-opening of those areas.