Sea turtles
Article 20
1. Member States shall do their utmost to reduce the impact of fishing on sea turtles, in particular by applying the measures provided for in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4. 2. The use of all fishing gear shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) appropriate handling, including the recovery or prompt release of sea turtles caught accidentally (by hooks or nets) or as by-catch; (b) the presence on board of equipment necessary for the release of sea turtles caught accidentally or as by-catch. 3. The use of the purse seine shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) an obligation to avoid, where possible, encircling sea turtles; (b) the development and application of specifications for appropriate gear for minimising by-catches of sea turtles; (c) the adoption of all the measures necessary for releasing encircled or caught sea turtles; (d) the adoption of all the measures necessary for monitoring fish-aggregating devices in which sea turtles could be caught, to release those taken and recover devices that are not used. 4. The use of longlines shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) the development and putting in place of combinations of hook shapes, type of lures, depth and design of nets and fishing practices to minimise accidental catches or by-catches and mortality of sea turtles; (b) the presence on board of equipment necessary for releasing sea turtles caught accidentally or as by-catch. including tools for unhooking them or cutting the lines and landing nets.