Exploratory fisheries authorisation
Article 17
1. Member States intending to authorise a fishing vessel flying their flag to fish in an exploratory fishery shall submit to the Commission, not later than 80 days in advance of the SPRFMO Scientific Committee meeting: (a) a request for authorisation providing the information contained in Annex V; (b) a Fisheries Operation Plan in accordance with Annex VI, including a commitment to comply with the SPRFMO Data Collection Plan referred to in Article 18(3), (4) and (5). 2. Not later than 60 days in advance of the SPRFMO Scientific Committee meeting, the Commission shall forward the request to the SPRFMO Commission, and the Fisheries Operation Plan to the SPRFMO Scientific Committee. 3. The Commission shall inform the Member State concerned of the SPRFMO decision regarding the authorisation to fish in an exploratory fishery.