Article 75 Assessment of bottom fishing activities in new and existing areas

Member States whose vessels conduct or intend to conduct bottom fishing activities in the SEAFO Regulatory Area shall carry out an assessment of the known and anticipated impacts of those activities on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems. Such an assessment shall aim at determining if such activities, taking account of the history of bottom fishing activities in the SEAFO Regulatory Area, would have a significant adverse impact on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems.

For the purposes of the implementation of the assessment referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall rely on the best scientific and technical information available concerning the location of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the areas in which their fishing vessels intend to operate. That information shall include, where available, scientific data on the basis of which the likelihood of occurrence of such ecosystems can be estimated.

Member States shall submit their assessment referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 to the Commission and SEAFO Secretariat as soon as possible but not later than 1 September 2009. This submission shall also include a description of the mitigation measures intended to prevent significant adverse impacts on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and be carried out in accordance with guidance developed by the SEAFO Scientific Committee, as available.