Article 28Removal of fishing vessels from the Community IUU vessel list
1.The Commission shall remove a fishing vessel from the Community IUU vessel list, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 54(2), if the fishing vessel's flag State demonstrates that:
(a)the vessel did not engage in any of the IUU fishing activities for which it was placed on the list; or
(b)proportionate, dissuasive and effective sanctions have been applied in response to the IUU fishing activities in question, notably for the fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State in accordance with the Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93.
2.The owner or, where appropriate, the operator of a fishing vessel placed on the Community IUU vessel list may submit a request to the Commission to review the status of that vessel in case of inaction by the flag State under paragraph 1.
The Commission shall only consider removing the fishing vessel from the list if:
(a)the owner or the operator provides evidence as to the fact that the fishing vessel is no longer engaged in IUU fishing; or
(b)the listed fishing vessel has sunk or has been scrapped.
3.In all other cases, the Commission shall only consider removing the fishing vessel from the list if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a)at least two years have elapsed since the fishing vessel's listing during which no further reports of alleged IUU fishing by the vessel have been received by the Commission in accordance with Article 25; or
(b)the owner submits information relating to the current operation of the fishing vessel that demonstrates that it is operating in full conformity with laws, regulations and/or conservation and management measures that apply to any fisheries in which it is participating; or
(c)the fishing vessel concerned, its owner or operator, maintain no operational or financial links, whether direct or indirect, with any other vessel, owner or operator presumed or confirmed to be engaged in IUU fishing.