Article 29 By-catches

Fishing vessels may not conduct directed fisheries for species for which by-catch limits apply. A directed fishery for a species is conducted when that species comprises the largest percentage by weight of the catch in any one haul.

By-catches of the species for which no quotas have been fixed by the Community for a part of the NAFO Regulatory Area and taken in that part when fishing directly for any species may not exceed for each species 2 500 kg or 10 % by weight of the total catch retained on board, whichever is the greater. However, in a part of the NAFO Regulatory Area where directed fishing of certain species is banned or an ‘others’ quota has been fully utilised, by-catches of each of the species listed in Annex ID shall not exceed 1 250 kg or 5 % respectively.

Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any haul exceed the limits laid down in paragraph 2, whichever is applicable, vessels shall immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the previous haul position. Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any subsequent haul exceed those limits, vessels shall again immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the previous haul position and shall not return to the area for at least 48 hours.

Whenever total by-catches of all species in any haul exceed 5 % by weight in Division 3M and 2,5 % in Division 3L, vessels fishing for shrimp (Pandalus borealis) shall immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the position of the previous haul.

Catches of shrimp shall not be used in the calculation of by-catch level of groundfish species.