1.Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3, the Secretary of State may, by regulations, remove a fishing vessel from the United Kingdom IUU vessel list in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 4 to 7.
2.Where a vessel was added to the United Kingdom IUU vessel list because it was included in an IUU vessel list adopted by a regional fisheries management organisation, the Secretary of State must have regard to any decisions taken with regard to that vessel by the relevant regional fisheries management organisation when making any decision regarding the removal of that vessel from the United Kingdom IUU vessel list.
3.The Secretary of State may only make regulations under this Article with the consent of the other fisheries administrations.
4.The Secretary of State may remove a fishing vessel under paragraph 1 if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the vessel's flag state has demonstrated 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.
5.The owner or, where appropriate, the operator of a fishing vessel included on the United Kingdom IUU vessel list may submit a request to the Secretary of State to review the status of that vessel in case of inaction by the flag state under paragraph 4.
6.Where a request is submitted under paragraph 4, the Secretary of State may consider the removal of a fishing vessel under paragraph 1 if the owner or operator provides evidence as to the fact that the fishing vessel—
(a)is no longer engaged in IUU fishing; or
(b)has sunk or has been scrapped.
7.In all other cases, the Secretary of State may only consider removing a fishing vessel under paragraph 1 if the following conditions are fulfilled—
(a)at least two years have elapsed since the fishing vessel was included on the United Kingdom IUU vessel list during which no further reports of alleged IUU fishing by the vessel have been received by a fisheries administration in accordance with Article 25;
(b)the owner submits information relating to the current operation of the fishing vessel that demonstrates that it is operating in full conformity with relevant United Kingdom and international laws and any conservation and management measures that apply to any fisheries in which it is participating; and
(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.]
Textual Amendments
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Ch. 5 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1599), regs. 1(3), 5)