Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000, (EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005 (c. 1241)

ANNEX XII U.K. NEAFC REGULATORY AREA

PART A U.K. Minimum conservation reference sizes

Species	NEAFC
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)	30 cm
Ling (Molva molva)	63 cm
Blue ling (Molva dipterygia)	70 cm
Mackerel (Scomber spp.)	30 cm
Herring (Clupea harengus)	20 cm

PART B U.K. Mesh sizes

1. Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear U.K.

The following codend mesh sizes shall apply in the NEAFC Regulatory Area.

Codend Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 100 mm	Whole area	None
At least 35 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for blue whiting
At least 32 mm	ICES sub-areas 1 and 2	Directed fishing for Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis). A sorting grid with a maximum bar spacing of 22 shall be fitted
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for mackerel, capelin and argentines

2. Baseline mesh sizes for static nets U.K.

The following mesh sizes for static nets shall apply in the NEAFC Regulatory Area.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 220 mm	Whole area	None

PART C U.K. Closed or restricted areas

1. Measures for the redfish fishery in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters U.K.

1.1. It shall be prohibited to catch redfish in international waters of ICES sub-area 5 and Union waters of ICES sub-areas 12 and 14. U.K.

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, it shall be permitted to catch redfish from 11 May to 31 December in the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system (the ‘Redfish Conservation Area’):

• 64°45′ N, 28°30′ W

• 62°50′ N, 25°45′ W

• 61°55′ N, 26°45′ W

• 61°00′ N, 26°30′ W

• 59°00′ N, 30°00′ W

• 59°00′ N, 34°00′ W

• 61°30′ N, 34°00′ W

• 62°50′ N, 36°00′ W

• 64°45′ N, 28°30′ W.

1.2. Notwithstanding point 1.1, a fishery for redfish may be permitted, by a Union legal act, outside the Redfish Conservation Area in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters from 11 May to 31 December each year on the basis of scientific advice and provided that NEAFC has established a recovery plan in respect of redfish in that geographical area. Only Union vessels that have been duly authorised by their respective Member State and notified to the Commission as required under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010 shall participate in this fishery. U.K.

1.3. It shall be prohibited to use trawls with a mesh size of less than 100 mm. U.K.

1.4. The conversion factor to be applied to the gutted and headed presentation, including the Japanese cut presentation, of redfish caught in this fishery shall be 1,70. U.K.

1.5. Masters of fishing vessels engaged in the fishery outside the Redfish Conservation Area shall transmit the catch report provided for in point (b) of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010 on a daily basis after the fishing operations of that calendar day have been completed. It shall indicate the catches on board taken since the last communication of catches. U.K.

1.6. In addition to Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010, an authorisation to fish for redfish shall only be valid if the reports transmitted by vessels are in accordance with Article 9(1) of that Regulation and are recorded in accordance with Article 9(3) thereof. U.K.

1.7. The reports referred to in point 1.6 shall be made in accordance with the relevant rules. U.K.

2. Special rules for the protection of blue ling U.K.

2.1. From 1 March to 31 May each year it shall be prohibited to retain on board any quantity of blue ling in excess of 6 tonnes per fishing trip in the areas of ICES division 6a enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: U.K.

(a)

Edge of Scottish continental shelf

• 59°58′ N, 07°00′ W

• 59°55′ N, 06°47′ W

• 59°51′ N, 06°28′ W

• 59°45′ N, 06°38′ W

• 59°27′ N, 06°42′ W

• 59°22′ N, 06°47′ W

• 59°15′ N, 07°15′ W

• 59°07′ N, 07°31′ W

• 58°52′ N, 07°44′ W

• 58°44′ N, 08°11′ W

• 58°43′ N, 08°27′ W

• 58°28′ N, 09°16′ W

• 58°15′ N, 09°32′ W

• 58°15′ N, 09°45′ W

• 58°30′ N, 09°45′ W

• 59°30′ N, 07°00′ W

• 59°58′ N, 07°00′ W;

(b)

Edge of Rosemary bank

• 60°00′ N, 11°00′ W

• 59°00′ N, 11°00′ W

• 59°00′ N, 09°00′ W

• 59°30′ N, 09°00′ W

• 59°30′ N, 10°00′ W

• 60°00′ N, 10°00′ W

• 60°00′ N, 11°00′ W

Not including the area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

• 59°15′ N, 10°24′ W

• 59°10′ N, 10°22′ W

• 59°08′ N, 10°07′ W

• 59°11′ N, 09°59′ W

• 59°15′ N, 09°58′ W

• 59°22′ N, 10°02′ W

• 59°23′ N, 10°11′ W

• 59°20′ N, 10°19′ W

• 59°15′ N, 10°24′ W.

2.2. Where blue ling is subject to the landing obligation set out in Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, point 2.1 shall not apply. U.K.

Fishing for blue ling using any fishing gear within the period and areas referred to in point 2.1 shall be prohibited.

2.3. When entering and exiting the areas referred to in point 2.1, the master of a fishing vessel shall record the date, time and place of entry and exit in the logbook. U.K.

2.4. In either of the two areas referred to in point 2.1, if a vessel reaches the 6 tonnes of blue ling: U.K.

(a)

it shall immediately cease fishing and exit the area in which it is present;

(b)

it may not re-enter either of the areas until its catch has been landed;

(c)

it may not return to the sea any quantity of blue ling.

2.5. The observers referred to in Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 who are assigned to fishing vessels present in one of the areas referred to in point 1 shall, for appropriate samples of the catches of blue ling, measure the fish in the samples and determine the stage of sexual maturity of subsampled fish. On the basis of advice from STECF, Member States shall establish detailed protocols for sampling and for the collation of results. U.K.

2.6. From 15 February to 15 April each year, it shall be prohibited to use bottom trawls, longlines and gillnets within an area enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: U.K.

• 60°58.76′ N, 27°27.32′ W

• 60°56.02′ N, 27°31.16′ W

• 60°59.76′ N, 27°43.48′ W

• 61°03.00′ N, 27°39.41′ W

• 60°58.76′ N, 27°27.32′ W.

3. Measures for the redfish fishery in international waters of ICES sub-areas 1 and 2 U.K.

3.1. Directed fishing for redfish in the international waters of ICES sub-areas 1 and 2 shall only be permitted within the period from 1 July to 31 December each year by vessels which have previously been engaged in the redfish fishery in the NEAFC Regulatory Area. U.K.

3.2. Vessels shall limit their by-catches of redfish in other fisheries to a maximum of 1 % of the total catch retained on board. U.K.

3.3. The conversion factor to be applied to the gutted and headed presentation, including the Japanese cut presentation, of redfish caught in this fishery shall be 1,70. U.K.

3.4. By way of derogation from point (b) of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010, masters of fishing vessels engaged in this fishery shall report their catches on a daily basis. U.K.

3.5. In addition to Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1236/2010, an authorisation to fish for redfish shall only be valid if the reports transmitted by vessels are in accordance with Article 9(1) of that Regulation and are recorded in accordance with Article 9(3) thereof. U.K.

3.6. Member States shall ensure that scientific information is collected by scientific observers on board vessels flying their flag. As a minimum, the information collected shall include representative data on sex, age and length composition by depths. This information shall be reported to ICES by the competent authorities in the Member States. U.K.

3.7. The Commission shall inform Member States of the date on which the NEAFC Secretariat notifies the NEAFC Contracting Parties that the total allowable catch (TAC) has been fully utilised. Member States shall prohibit directed fishery for redfish by vessels flying their flag from that date. U.K.

4. Rockall haddock box in ICES sub-area 6 U.K.

All fishing, except with longlines, shall be prohibited in the areas enclosed by sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system:

• 57°00′ N, 15°00′ W

• 57°00′ N, 14°00′ W

• 56°30′ N, 14°00′ W

• 56°30′ N, 15°00′ W

• 57°00′ N, 15°00′ W.

PART D U.K. Closed areas for the protection of sensitive habitats

1. It shall be prohibited to conduct bottom trawling and fishing with static gear, including bottom set gillnets and bottom set longlines, within the following areas sequentially joining with rhumb lines the following coordinates, which shall be measured according to the WGS84 system: U.K.

Part of the Reykjanes Ridge:

• 55°04.5327′ N, 36°49.0135′ W

• 55°05.4804′ N, 35°58.9784′ W

• 54°58.9914′ N, 34°41.3634′ W

• 54°41.1841′ N, 34°00.0514′ W

• 54°00′ N, 34°00′ W

• 53°54.6406′ N, 34°49.9842′ W

• 53°58.9668′ N, 36°39.1260′ W

• 55°04.5327′ N, 36°49.0135′ W

Northern MAR Area:

• 59°45′ N, 33°30′ W

• 57°30′ N, 27°30′ W

• 56°45′ N, 28°30′ W

• 59°15′ N, 34°30′ W

• 59°45′ N, 33°30′ W

Middle MAR Area (Charlie-Gibbs Fracture zone and Subpolar Frontal Region):

• 53°30′ N, 38°00′ W

• 53°30′ N, 36°49′ W

• 55°04.5327′ N, 36°49′ W

• 54°58.9914′ N, 34°41.3634′ W

• 54°41.1841′ N, 34°00′ W

• 53°30′ N, 30°00′ W

• 51°30′ N, 28°00′ W

• 49°00′ N, 26°30′ W

• 49°00′ N, 30°30′ W

• 51°30′ N, 32°00′ W

• 51°30′ N, 38°00′ W

• 53°30′ N, 38°00′ W

Southern MAR Area:

• 44°30′ N, 30°30′ W

• 44°30′ N, 27°00′ W

• 43°15′ N, 27°15′ W

• 43°15′ N, 31°00′ W

• 44°30′ N, 30°30′ W

The Altair Seamounts:

• 45°00′ N, 34°35′ W

• 45°00′ N, 33°45′ W

• 44°25′ N, 33°45′ W

• 44°25′ N, 34°35′ W

• 45°00′ N, 34°35′ W

The Antialtair Seamounts:

• 43°45′ N, 22°50′ W

• 43°45′ N, 22°05′ W

• 43°25′ N, 22°05′ W

• 43°25′ N, 22°50′ W

• 43°45′ N, 22°50′ W

Hatton Bank:

• 59°26′ N, 14°30′ W

• 59°12′ N, 15°08′ W

• 59°01′ N, 17°00′ W

• 58°50′ N, 17°38′ W

• 58°30′ N, 17°52′ W

• 58°30′ N, 18°22′ W

• 58°03′ N, 18°22′ W

• 58°03′ N, 17°30′ W

• 57°55′ N, 17°30′ W

• 57°45′ N, 19°15′ W

• 58°11.15′ N, 18°57.51′ W

• 58°11.57′ N, 19°11.97′ W

• 58°27.75′ N, 19°11.65′ W

• 58°39.09′ N, 19°14.28′ W

• 58°38.11′ N, 19°01.29′ W

• 58°53.14′ N, 18°43.54′ W

• 59°00.29′ N, 18°01.31′ W

• 59°08.01′ N, 17°49.31′ W

• 59°08.75′ N, 18°01.47′ W

• 59°15.16′ N, 18°01.56′ W

• 59°24.17′ N, 17°31.22′ W

• 59°21.77′ N, 17°15.36′ W

• 59°26.91′ N, 17°01.66′ W

• 59°42.69′ N, 16°45.96′ W

• 59°20.97′ N, 15°44.75′ W

• 59°21′ N, 15°40′ W

• 59°26′ N, 14°30′ W

North-West Rockall:

• 57°00′ N, 14°53′ W

• 57°37′ N, 14°42′ W

• 57°55′ N, 14°24′ W

• 58°15′ N, 13°50′ W

• 57°57′ N, 13°09′ W

• 57°50′ N, 13°14′ W

• 57°57′ N, 13°45′ W

• 57°49′ N, 14°06′ W

• 57°29′ N, 14°19′ W

• 57°22′ N, 14°19′ W

• 57°00′ N, 14°34′ W

• 56°56′ N, 14°36′ W

• 56°56′ N, 14°51′ W

• 57°00′ N, 14°53′ W

South-West Rockall (Empress of Britain Bank):

Area 1

• 56°24′ N, 15°37′ W

• 56°21′ N, 14°58′ W

• 56°04′ N, 15°10′ W

• 55°51′ N, 15°37′ W

• 56°10′ N, 15°52′ W

• 56°24′ N, 15°37′ W

Area 2

• 55°56.90 N -16°11.30 W

• 55°58.20 N -16°11.30 W

• 55°58.30 N -16°02.80 W

• 55°56.90 N -16°02.80 W

• 55°56.90 N -16°11.30 W

Area 3

• 55°49.90 N -15°56.00 W

• 55°48.50 N -15°56.00 W

• 55°48.30 N -15°50.60 W

• 55°49.60 N -15°50.60 W

• 55°49.90 N -15°56.00 W

Edora’s bank

• 56°26.00 N -22°26.00 W

• 56°28.00 N -22°04.00 W

• 56°16.00 N -21°42.00 W

• 56°05.00 N -21°40.00 W

• 55°55.00 N -21°47.00 W

• 55°45.00 N -22°00.00 W

• 55°43.00 N -23°14.00 W

• 55°50.00 N -23°16.00 W

• 56°05.00 N -23°06.00 W

• 56°18.00 N -22°43.00 W

• 56°26.00 N -22°26.00 W

Southwest Rockall Bank

Area 1

• 55°58.16 N -16°13.18 W

• 55°58.24 N -16°02.56 W

• 55°54.86 N -16°05.55 W

• 55°58.16 N -16°13.18 W

Area 2

• 55°55.86 N -15°40.84 W

• 55°51.00 N -15°37.00 W

• 55°47.86 N -15°53.81 W

• 55°49.29 N -15°56.39 W

• 55°55.86 N -15°40.84 W

Hatton-Rockall Basin

Area 1

• 58°00.15 N-15°27.23 W

• 58°00.15 N -15°38.26 W

• 57°54.19 N -15°38.26 W

• 57°54.19 N -15°27.23 W

• 58°00.15 N -15°27.23 W

Area 2

• 58°06.46 N -16°37.15 W

• 58°15.93 N -16°28.46 W

• 58°06.77 N -16°10.40 W

• 58°03.43 N -16° 10.43 W

• 58°01.49 N -16°25.19 W

• 58°02.62 N -16°36.96 W

• 58°06.46 N -16°37.15 W

Hatton Bank 2

Area 1

• 57°51.76 N -18°05.87 W

• 57°55.00 N -17°30.00 W

• 58°03.00 N -17°30.00 W

• 57°53.10 N -16°56.33 W

• 57°35.11 N -18°02.01 W

• 57°51.76 N -18°05.87 W

Area 2

• 57°59.96 N -19°05.05 W

• 57°45.00 N -19°15.00 W

• 57°50.07 N -18°23.82 W

• 57°31.13 N -18°21.28 W

• 57°14.09 N -19°28.43 W

• 57°02.21 N -19°27.53 W

• 56°53.12 N -19°28.97 W

• 56°50.22 N -19°33.62 W

• 56°46.68 N -19°53.72 W

• 57°00.04 N -20°04.22 W

• 57°10.31 N -19°55.24 W

• 57°32.67 N -19°52.64 W

• 57°46.68 N -19°37.86 W

• 57°59.96 N -19°05.05 W

Logachev Mound:

• 55°17′ N, 16°10′ W

• 55°34′ N, 15°07′ W

• 55°50′ N, 15°15′ W

• 55°33′ N, 16°16′ W

• 55°17′ N, 16°10′ W

West Rockall Mound:

• 57°20′ N, 16°30′ W

• 57°05′ N, 15°58′ W

• 56°21′ N, 17°17′ W

• 56°40′ N, 17°50′ W

• 57°20′ N, 16°30′ W

2. Where, in the course of fishing operations in new and existing bottom fishing areas within the NEAFC Regulatory Area, the quantity of live coral or live sponge caught per gear set exceeds 60 kg of live coral and/or 800 kg of live sponge, the vessel shall inform its flag State, cease fishing and move at least 2 nautical miles away from the position that the evidence suggests is closest to the exact location where this catch was made. U.K.