Number of authorised vessels
Article 18
1. The Council, acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, shall determine the number of Community fishing vessels greater than 24 metres in length overall authorised to fish in Area 2. The number of vessels is set at the number of Community fishing vessels registered in the IOTC vessels register in 2003. The restriction on the number of vessels must correspond to the overall gross tonnage (GT). Where vessels are replaced the overall tonnage must not be exceeded. 2. The Council, acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002, shall distribute among the Member States the number of vessels determined in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.