This Regulation shall apply to activities pursued by Union fishing vessels and nationals of Member States, without prejudice to the primary responsibility of the flag State, in the fishing zones referred to in Article 5, as well as by fishing vessels flying the flag of, and registered in, third countries when fishing in Union waters.

Articles 7, 10, 11 and 12 shall also apply to recreational fishing. In cases where recreational fishing has a significant impact in a particular region, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts pursuant to Article 15 and in accordance with Article 29 in order to amend this Regulation by providing that the relevant provisions of Article 13 or parts A or C of Annexes V to X also apply to recreational fishing.