1.The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in the Union waters of the North Sea (ICES divisions 2a, 3a and subarea 4) to the following catches of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus):
(a)catches with pots (FPO(1));
(b)catches with bottom trawls (OTB, OTT, TBN) fitted with:
a cod-end larger than 80 mm; or
a cod-end with a mesh size of at least 70 mm equipped with a species selective grid with a bar spacing of maximum 35 mm; or
a cod-end of at least 35 mm equipped with a species selective grid with a bar spacing of maximum 19 mm.
2.When discarding Norway lobster caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the Norway lobster shall be released whole, immediately and in the area where it has been caught.
[F13. The exemption referred to in paragraph 1(b)(1) and (3) shall be provisionally applicable until 31 December 2020 . Member States having a direct management interest shall submit as soon as possible and not later than on 1 May 2020 , additional scientific information supporting the exemption laid down in paragraph 1(b) (1) and (3). The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) shall assess the provided scientific information by 31 July 2020 .]
Textual Amendments
Gear codes used in this Regulation are set out in Annex XI to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common fisheries policy. For the vessels whose LOA is less than 10 metres gear codes used in this Regulation are set out in the FAO gear classification.