Article 20 Innovative fishing gear

Before making regulations under Article 15(2) which contain measures in relation to the use of innovative fishing gear, a fisheries administration must carry out an assessment based on appropriate data of the likely impacts of using such gear on the targeted species and on sensitive species and habitats.

The use of innovative fishing gear shall not be permitted where the assessments referred to in paragraph 1 indicate that their use will lead to significant negative impacts on sensitive habitats and non-target species.