The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in the Union waters of ICES division 4c, within six nautical miles of the coast but outside identified nursery areas, to catches of common sole (Solea solea) below the minimum conservation reference size, made using otter trawls (OTB) with a cod-end mesh size of 80-99 mm.

The exemption referred to in paragraph 1 shall only apply to vessels with a maximum length of 10 meters and a maximum engine power of 221 kW, fishing in waters with a depth of 30 meters or less and with tow durations of no more than 1:30 hours.

When discarding common sole caught in the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the common sole shall be released immediately.