Regulation (EU) 2018/975 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

J. Hierarchies for observer data collection U.K.

1. Recognising that observers may not be able to collect all of the data described in these standards on each trip, a hierarchy of priorities is to be implemented for collection of observer data. Trip-specific or programme-specific observer task priorities may be developed in response to specific research programme requirements, in which case such priorities are to be followed by observers. U.K.

2. In the absence of trip- or programme-specific priorities, the following generalised priorities are to be followed by observers: U.K.

(a)

Fishing Operation Information

All vessel and tow/set/effort information

(b)

Reporting of Catches

(i)

Record time, weight of catch sampled versus total catch or effort (e.g. number of hooks), and total numbers of each species caught

(ii)

Identification and counts of seabirds, mammals, reptiles (turtles), sensitive benthic species and vulnerable species

(iii)

Record numbers or weights of each species retained or discarded

(iv)

Record instances of depredation, where appropriate

(c)

Biological Sampling

(i)

Check for presence of tags

(ii)

Length-frequency data for target species

(iii)

Basic biological data (sex, maturity) for target species

(iv)

Length-frequency data for main by-catch species

(v)

Otoliths (and stomach samples, if being collected) for target species

(vi)

Basic biological data for by-catch species

(vii)

Biological samples of by-catch species (if being collected)

(viii)

Take photos

(d)

The reporting of catches and biological sampling procedures are to be prioritised among species groups as follows:

Species	Priority (1 highest)
Primary target species (such as jack mackerel, for pelagic fisheries, and orange roughy for demersal fisheries)	1
Seabirds, mammals, reptiles (turtles) or other species of concern	2
Other species typically within top 5 in the fishery (such as blue mackerel for pelagic fisheries, and oreos and alfonsino for demersal fisheries)	3
All other species	4

The allocation of observer effort among these activities will depend on the type of operation and setting. The size of sub-samples relative to unobserved quantities (such as the number of hooks examined for species composition relative to the number of hooks set) is to be explicitly recorded under the guidance of Member State observer programmes.