Specific authorisations for large-scale catching vessels targeting North and South Atlantic swordfish
Article 18a
1. Member States shall issue fishing authorisations, in accordance with the provisions laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/2403, to large-scale catching vessels flying their flag to fish North and South Atlantic swordfish in the ICCAT Convention area. 2. Large-scale fishing vessels not entered into the ICCAT record of authorised vessels targeting North and South Atlantic swordfish shall not be allowed to fish, retain on board, tranship, transport, transfer, process or land North and South Atlantic swordfish from the ICCAT Convention area. Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall not apply in such cases. 3. Union fishing vessels not authorised to fish North and South Atlantic swordfish pursuant to paragraph 1 may be allowed to retain on board, tranship, transport, process or land by-catch of North and South Atlantic swordfish in accordance with a maximum on-board by-catch limit for such vessels. Member States shall report to the Commission, as part of the annual report, the maximum by-catch limit they allow for vessels flying their flag.