Article 8 De minimis exemptions
1.By way of derogation from Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the following quantities may be discarded pursuant to Article 15(5)(c) of that Regulation:
(a)for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 6 % in 2019, and up to a 5 % in 2020 and 2021, of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines with a mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm (OTB, OTT, OT, PTB, PT, SSC, SDN, SPR, SX, SV, TBN, TBS, TB, TX), pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) and beam trawls (BT2) with a mesh size of 80-119 mm in ICES division 7d;
(b)for whiting (Merlangius merlangus), up to a maximum of 6 % in 2019, and up to a 5 % in 2020 and 2021, of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls and seines with a mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm (OTB, OTT, OT, PTB, PT, SSC, SDN, SPR, SX, SV, TBN, TBS, TB, TX), pelagic trawls (OTM, PTM) and beam trawls (BT2) with a mesh size of 80-119 mm in ICES divisions 7b-c and 7e-k;
(c)for common sole (Solea solea), up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using trammel and gill nets to catch common sole in ICES divisions 7d, 7e, 7f and 7g;
(d)for common sole (Solea solea), up to a maximum of 3 % of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using TBB gear with a mesh size of 80-119 mm equipped with Flemish panel, to catch common sole in ICES divisions 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g and 7h;
(e)for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), up to a maximum of 7 % in 2019 of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls, seines and beam trawls with a mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm in ICES divisions 7b-7c and 7e-7k;
(f)for cod (Gadus morhua), 7 % in 2019 of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls, seines and beam trawls with a mesh size equal to or greater than 80 mm in ICES divisions 7b-7c and 7e-7k;
(g)for horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), up to a maximum of 7 % in 2019 of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls, seines and beam trawls in ICES subarea 6 and ICES divisions 7b-7k;
(h)for mackerel (Scomber scombrus), up to a maximum of 7 % in 2019 of the total annual catches of that species by vessels using bottom trawls, seines and beam trawls in ICES subarea 6 and ICES divisions 7b-7k.
2.The de minimis exemptions set out in the paragraph 1 points (e)-(h) shall be applicable until 31 December 2019. Member States having a direct management interest shall submit as soon as possible before 31 May 2019, additional scientific information supporting the exemption. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries shall assess the provided scientific information before 1 August 2019.