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Sampling of shark species by scientific observers and other authorised individuals

1. By way of derogation from the prohibition to retain on board porbeagle, bigeye thresher, oceanic whitetip, hammerhead (of the Sphyrnidae family, except for the Sphyrna tiburo) and silky sharks, as set out in Articles 31, 32, 34, 35 and 36, the collection of biological samples during commercial fishing operations by scientific observers or individuals authorised by the CPC to collect biological samples shall be permitted under the following conditions:

(a) the biological samples are collected only from animals which are dead at the haul back;

(b) the biological samples are taken in the framework of a research project notified to the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics of the ICCAT and developed taking into consideration the recommended research priorities of that Committee. The research project should include a detailed document that describes the objective of the project, the methodologies to be used, the number and type of samples to be collected and the time and area of sampling;

(c) the biological samples are kept on board until the port of landing or transhipment; and (d) the authorisation of the flag Member State or, in the case of chartered vessels, of the chartering CPC and the flag Member State, must accompany all samples collected in accordance with this Article until the final port of landing. Such samples and other parts of the shark specimens sampled shall not be marketed or sold.

2. The biological samples referred to in paragraph 1 may include, in particular, vertebrae, tissue, reproductive tracts, stomachs, skin samples, coil valves, jaws, whole fish or skeletons for taxonomic studies and fauna inventories.

3. The sampling campaign may only start once the authorisation by the Member State concerned has been issued.