Article 4 Survivability exemption for common sole
United Kingdom
The survivability exemption provided for in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply in ICES division 7d, within six nautical miles of the coast but outside identified nursery areas, to catches of common sole (Solea solea) below the minimum conservation reference size made using otter trawl gears (gear codes: OTT, OTB, TBS, TBN, TB, PTB, OT, PT, TX) with a cod end mesh size of 80 to 99 mm, by vessels:
having a maximum length of 10 metres and a maximum engine power of 221 kW; and
fishing in waters with the depth of 30 metres or less and with tow durations of no more than ninety minutes.
When discarding common sole caught in the cases referred to in paragraphs 1, the common sole shall be released immediately.