Authorisation of vessels
Article 55
1. Member States shall submit electronically, where possible, to the Commission by 1 June 2009, the list of their vessels that are authorised to operate in the SEAFO Convention Area by issue of a fishing authorisation. 2. Owners of the vessels included in the list referred to in paragraph 1 shall be citizens or legal entities of the Community. 3. Fishing vessels may be authorised to operate in the SEAFO Convention Area only if they are able to fulfil in respect of those vessels the requirements and responsibilities under the SEAFO Convention and its conservation and management measures. 4. No fishing authorisation shall be issued to vessels that have a history of IUU fishing activities unless the new owners have provided sufficient evidence demonstrating that the previous owners and operators have no legal, beneficial or financial interest in, or control over those vessels, or that, having taken into account all relevant facts, their vessels are not engaged in or associated with IUU fishing. 5. The list referred to in paragraph 1 shall include the following information: (a) the name of vessel, registration number, previous names (if known), and port of registry; (b) the previous flag (if any); (c) the International Radio Call Sign (if any); (d) the name and address of owner or owners; (e) the type of vessel; (f) the length; (g) the name and address of operator (manager) or operators (managers) (if any); (h) the gross register tonnage; and (i) the power of main engine or engines. 6. Member States shall promptly notify the Commission, after the establishment of the initial list of authorised vessels, of any addition to, deletion from and/or any modification whenever such changes occur.