Directed fishery and by-catch
Article 33
1. Masters of Community vessels shall not conduct directed fisheries for species for which by-catch limits apply. A directed fishery for a species shall be considered to have been conducted when that species comprises the largest percentage by weight of the total catch in any one haul. 2. However, when a vessel is conducting a directed fishery for skate with a legal mesh size appropriate for that fishery, the first time that, in a haul, catches of species for which by-catch limits comprise the largest percentage, by weight of the total catch, they shall be considered as incidental. In this event the vessel shall immediately change position in accordance with Article 32(1) and (2). 3. Following an absence from a Division of at least 60 hours in accordance with the provisions of Article 32(1) and (2), masters of Community vessels shall undertake a trial tow the duration of which shall not exceed 3 hours. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, if in a haul from such a trial tow catches of species for which by-catch limits comprise the largest percentage, by weight of the total catch, it shall not be considered as a directed fishery. In this event the vessel shall immediately change position in accordance with Article 32(1) and (2).