Establishment of domestic scientific observer programmes
Article 61
1. Member States shall establish domestic scientific observer programmes ensuring the following: (a) a minimum of 5 % observer coverage of fishing effort in each of the pelagic longline, purse seine and baitboat fisheries; (b) for chartered vessels, by way of derogation from point (a), a minimum of 10 % observer coverage of fishing effort in each of the pelagic longline, purse seine and baitboat fisheries; (c) a representative temporal and spatial coverage of the operation of the fleet to ensure the collection of adequate and appropriate data, taking into account characteristics of the fleets and fisheries; (d) data collection on all aspects of the fishing operation, including catch, as specified in Article 63(1). 2. The observer coverage referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 shall be calculated as follows: (a) in number of sets or trips for purse seine fisheries; (b) in fishing days, number of sets or trips for pelagic longline fisheries; or (c) in fishing days for baitboat fisheries. 3. By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 1, for vessels less than 15 metres in length overall, where an extraordinary safety concern exists that precludes deployment of an on-board observer, a Member State may employ an alternative scientific monitoring approach. That alternative approach shall ensure a coverage comparable to that specified in point (a) of paragraph 1 and an equivalent collection of data. The Member State concerned shall present the details of the alternative approach to the Commission. 4. The Commission shall submit the details of the alternative approach referred to in paragraph 3 to the ICCAT Standing Committee on Research and Statistics for evaluation. Alternative approaches shall be subject to the approval of the ICCAT Commission at the ICCAT annual meeting prior to their implementation.