Prohibition of fishing for oceanic whitetip sharks
Article 34
1. It shall be prohibited to fish for oceanic whitetip sharks ( Carcharhinus longimanus ) in the IATTC Convention Area, and to retain on board, to tranship, to store, to offer to sell, to sell or to land any part or whole carcass of oceanic whitetip sharks in that area. 2. When accidentally caught, the species referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be harmed. Specimens shall be promptly released by vessel operators. 3. Vessel operators shall: (a) record the number of releases with indication of status (dead or alive); (b) report the information specified in point (a) to the Member State of which they are nationals. Member States shall transmit the information collected during the previous year to the Commission by 31 January of the year in which this Regulation enters into force.