Mitigation measures for seabirds in the area between 20° South and 25° South
Article 38
1. All vessels fishing between 20° and 25° South shall carry and use bird-scaring lines (tori lines) and tori poles that meet the requirements and supplemental guidelines set out in Annex V. 2. Tori lines shall be deployed prior to longlines entering the water, at all times. 3. Where practical, a second tori pole and tori line shall be used at times of high bird abundance or activity. 4. Back-up tori lines shall be carried by all vessels and be ready for immediate use. 5. Longline vessels targeting swordfish by using monofilament longline gear shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, subject to the following conditions: (a) longlines are set during the night, with night being defined as the period between nautical dusk/dawn as referenced in the nautical dusk/dawn almanac for the geographical position of fishing; and (b) minimum swivel weight of 60 g placed not more than 3 metres from the hook is used to achieve optimum sink rates. The flag Member States of the vessels subject to the exemption referred to in the first subparagraph shall inform the Commission of their scientific findings resulting from their observer coverage of those vessels.