Article 31 Boarding and inspection procedures for Contracting Parties

Each Member State shall ensure that for an inspection conducted under the Scheme, its inspectors:

1. (a)

   prior to boarding, notify the fishing vessel by radio, using the International Code of Signals, of the name of the inspection platform;

2. (b)

   display, on the inspection vessel and boarding vessel, the pennant depicted in Annex IV.E to the CEM referred to in point 39 of the Annex to this Regulation;

3. (c)

   ensure that during boarding, the inspection vessel remains at a safe distance from fishing vessels;

4. (d)

   do not require the fishing vessel to stop or manoeuvre when towing, shooting or hauling;

5. (e)

   limit each inspection team to a maximum of four inspectors including any inspection trainee who may accompany the inspection team for training purposes only. Where an inspection trainee accompanies the inspectors, inspectors shall, upon boarding, identify the trainee to the master of the vessel. The inspection trainee shall simply observe the inspection operation conducted by the authorised inspectors and shall in no way interfere with the activities of the fishing vessel;

6. (f)

   upon boarding, present to the master of the vessel their NAFO documents of identity issued by the NAFO Executive Secretary in accordance with Article 32.3(b) of the CEM;

7. (g)

   limit inspections to four hours, or the time required for the net to be hauled in and both the net and the catch to be inspected, whichever is longer, except:

   1. (i)

      in the case of an infringement; or

   2. (ii)

      where the inspector estimates the quantity of catch on board to be different from the quantity of catch recorded in the fishing logbook, in which case the inspector will limit the inspection to one additional hour with a view to verifying calculations and procedures, and re-examining the relevant documentation used to calculate the catch taken in the Regulatory Area and the catch on board the vessel;

8. (h)

   gather any relevant information used for identifying compliance with this Regulation provided by the observer.