Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2014 of 21 August 2020 specifying details of implementation of the landing obligation for certain fisheries in the North Sea for the period 2021-2023

• Published date: 01 January 2022

02020R2014 — EN — 01.01.2023 — 002.001

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►B COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2020/2014 of 21 August 2020 specifying details of implementation of the landing obligation for certain fisheries in the North Sea for the period 2021-2023 (OJ L 415 10.12.2020, p. 10)

Amended by:

		Official Journal
		No	page	date
►M1	COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2021/2062 of 23 August 2021	L 421	4	26.11.2021
►M2	COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2022/2289 of 18 August 2022	L 303	6	23.11.2022

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▼B

COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2020/2014

of 21 August 2020

specifying details of implementation of the landing obligation for certain fisheries in the North Sea for the period 2021-2023

Article 1

Implementation of the landing obligation

In Union waters of the North Sea (ICES divisions 2a, 3a and subarea 4), the landing obligation provided for in Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply to demersal and pelagic fisheries which are subject to catch limits in accordance with this Regulation for the period 2021-2023.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)

‘Netgrid selectivity device’ means a selectivity device consisting of a four panel section inserted into a two-panel trawl with an inclined sheet of diamond mesh netting with a mesh size of at least 200 mm, leading to an escape hole in the top of the trawl;

(2)

‘Flemish panel’ means the last tapered netting section of a beam trawl whose:

—

posterior is directly attached to the cod-end,

—

upper and lower netting sections are constructed of at least 120 mm mesh as measured between the knots,

—

stretched length is at least 3 m;

(3)

‘Benthos release panel’ means a panel of larger mesh or square mesh netting fitted into the lower panel of a trawl, usually a beam trawl to release any benthic material and seabed debris before it passes into the codend;

(4)

‘SepNep’ means an otter trawl which:

—

is constructed within the mesh size range of 80 to 99 +≥ 100 mm,

—

is fitted with multiple cod-ends of mesh sizes ranging from at least 80 to 120 mm attached to a single extension piece, the uppermost cod-end being constructed with a mesh size of at least 120 mm and fitted with a separation panel with a maximum mesh size of 105 mm, and

—

may furthermore be fitted with an optional selection grid with a bar spacing of at least 17 mm provided it is constructed in such a way so as to allow the escape of small Norway lobster.

Article 3

Survivability exemptions for Norway lobster

1.

The survivability exemption provided for in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in the Union waters of the North Sea (ICES divisions 2a, 3a and subarea 4) to the following catches of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus):

(a)

catches with pots (FPO ( 1 ));

(b)

catches with bottom trawls (OTB, OTT, TBN) fitted with:

(i)

a cod-end equal or larger than 80 mm; or

(ii)

a cod-end with a mesh size of at least 70 mm equipped with a species selective grid with a bar spacing of maximum 35 mm.

2.

When discarding Norway lobster caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the Norway lobster shall be released whole, immediately and in the area where it has been caught.

Article 4

Survivability exemption for common sole

1.

The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply to common sole (Solea solea) below the minimum conservation reference size caught using otter trawls (OTB) with a cod-end mesh size of 80 to 99 mm in the Union waters of ICES division 4c, within six nautical miles of the coast but outside identified nursery areas.

2.

The exemption referred to in paragraph 1 shall only apply to vessels with a maximum length of 10 meters and a maximum engine power of 221 kW, fishing in waters with a depth of 30 meters or less and with tow durations of no more than ninety minutes.

3.

When discarding common sole caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the common sole shall be released immediately.

Article 5

Survivability exemption for by-catch of all species subject to catch limits in pots and fyke nets

1.

The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply to all species subject to catch limits caught with pots and fyke nets (FPO, FYK) in the Union waters of ICES division 3a and ICES subarea 4.

2.

When discarding fish caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the fish shall be released immediately and below the sea surface.

Article 6

Survivability exemption for catch and by-catch of plaice

1.

The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in the Union waters of ICES division 3a and subarea 4 to:

(a)

plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) caught with nets (GNS, GTR, GTN, GEN);

(b)

plaice caught with Danish seines;

(c)

plaice caught with bottom trawls (OTB, PTB):

(i)

with a mesh size of at least 120 mm when targeting flatfish or roundfish in the Union waters of ICES division 3a and subarea 4;

▼M1

(ii)

with a mesh size of 90 to 119 mm equipped with a Seltra panel with a top panel of 140 mm mesh size (square mesh), 270 mm mesh size (diamond mesh), 300 mm mesh size (square-mesh), or in sub-division Kattegat, a square mesh panel of at least 120 mm in the period from 1 October to 31 December every year which target flatfish or roundfish in the Union waters of ICES division 3a;

▼B

(iii)

with a mesh size of 80 to 119 mm targeting flatfish or roundfish in the Union waters of ICES subarea 4.

2.

When discarding plaice caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the plaice shall be released immediately.

Article 7

Survivability exemption for plaice below the minimum conservation reference size

1.

The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in the Union waters of ICES division 2a and ICES subarea 4 and to plaice caught which is below the minimum conservation reference size and caught using 80 to 119 mm beam trawls (BT2) if the plaice is caught:

(a)

with gears equipped with the flip-up rope or Benthos release panel (BRP) and caught by vessels with an engine power of more than 221 kW; or

(b)

by the vessels of Member States implementing the roadmap for the Fully Documented Fisheries.

2.

The exemption referred to in paragraph 1 shall also apply to flatfish caught with beam trawls (BT2) by vessels with an engine power of not more than 221kw or less than 24m in length overall, which are constructed to fish in the twelve miles zone, if the average trawl duration is less than ninety minutes.

3.

Member States having a direct management interest shall submit every year, as soon as possible and not later than 1 May, additional scientific information supporting the exemptions laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (‘STECF’)...