Limitation of fishing capacity of vessels fishing in the IOTC Area
Article 23
1. The maximum number of EU vessels fishing for tropical tunas in the IOTC Area and the corresponding capacity in gross tonnage (GT) shall be as set out in point 1 of Annex VI. 2. The maximum number of EU vessels fishing for swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) and albacore ( Thunnus alalunga ) in the IOTC Area and the corresponding capacity in GT shall be as set out in point 2 of Annex VI. 3. Member States may change the number of vessels referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 by gear type provided that they can demonstrate to the Commission that this change does not lead to an increase of fishing effort on the fish stocks involved. 4. Member States shall ensure that, where there is a proposed transfer of capacity to their fleet, vessels to be transferred are on the IOTC Record of Vessels or on the record of vessels of other tuna regional fisheries organisations. No vessels featuring on the list of vessels engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities (IUU vessels) of any regional fisheries management organisation may be transferred. 5. In order to take into account the implementation of the development plans submitted to the IOTC, Member States may only increase the limitations of fishing capacity, as mentioned in this Article, within the limits set out in those development plans.