FantasticSearch

1. By way of derogation from Article 23(1), Member States authorising ‘catch and release’ fishing in the north-east Atlantic conducted exclusively by sport fisheries vessels may allow a limited number of sport fishery vessels to target bluefin tuna with the purpose of catch, tag and release’ fishing without the need to allocate a specific quota to them. Such vessels shall operate in the context of a scientific project of a research institute integrated in a scientific research programme. The results of the project shall be communicated to the relevant authorities of the flag Member State.

2. Vessels conducting scientific research under the ICCAT Research Programme for bluefin tuna shall not be deemed to conduct ‘catch, tag and release’ activities as referred to in paragraph 1.

3. Member States authorising ‘catch, tag and release’ activities, shall:

(a) submit description of those activities and the measures applicable thereto as an integral part of their fishing and inspection plans referred to in Articles 12 and 15;

(b) closely monitor the activities of the vessels concerned to ensure their compliance with this Regulation;

(c) ensure that the tagging and releasing operations are performed by trained personnel to ensure a high survival rate of the individuals; and (d) submit an annual report to the Commission, by 30 June each year, on the scientific activities conducted. The Commission shall forward the report to the ICCAT Secretariat 60 days before the SCRS meeting of the following year.

4. Any bluefin tuna that dies during ‘catch, tag and release’ activities shall be reported and deducted from the quota of the flag Member State.