Division 1.5 Inspection tasks at sea

Where dead fish are taken on-board the catching vessel or are present aboard a processing or a transport vessel, inspectors shall always verify the quantities of fish retained on-board and compare them with the quantities recorded in the relevant documentation on-board.

Where live fish are being transferred from catching vessels to caging vessel/transport tugs or from caging vessel/transport tugs into farming installations, inspectors should seek to identify the means used by the parties involved to estimate the quantities of live bluefin tuna transferred. Where video footage is available, inspectors should gain access to, and verify the quantities transferred, as observed by the video footage.

Inspectors shall systematically verify:

1. (a)

   that the fishing vessels are authorised to operate (markings, identity, licence, special permits, authorisation, and ICCAT list);

2. (b)

   that the relevant information is present on-board and duly completed and reported (logbooks, ICCAT bluefin tuna catch documents, ICCAT transfer declaration and transhipment declaration);

3. (c)

   that the fishing vessels are equipped with an operational Vessel Monitoring System (VMS);

4. (d)

   that the fishing vessels are not operating inside close areas and are respecting the closure of fishing seasons;

5. (e)

   the respect of quotas and by-catch limitations;

6. (f)

   the size composition of catches of bluefin tuna on-board;

7. (g)

   the physical quantities of bluefin tuna on-board, and their presentation;

8. (h)

   the fishing gear on-board;

9. (i)

   the presence of an observer where it is relevant.

Inspectors shall sight and report on IUU fishing activities, and on the use of spotting aircraft or helicopters.