Proposal for a regulation
Annex III a (new)
Annex III a Instructions for the issuing, numbering, completion and validation of the catch document 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES (1) Language If a language other than an official ICCAT language (English, French and Spanish) is used in completing the catch document, the English translation must be attached to it. (2) Numbering Member States must develop unique numbering systems for catch documents using their NUTS 2-alpha country code in combination with a number consisting of at least 8 digits, of which at least two digits should indicate the year of catch. Example: FR-09-123456 (where FR stands for France) In the case of split lots or processed products, copies of the original catch document must be numbered by supplementing the number of the original catch documents with a 2-digit number. Example: FR-09-123456-01, FR-09- 123456-02, FR-09-123456-03, etc. The numbering must be sequential and preferably printed. The serial numbers of blank catch documents issued shall be recorded according to the name of the recipient. 2. CATCH INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles This section is applicable to all catches of bluefin tunas. The master of the catching vessel or the trap operator or their authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag or trap Member State is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the CATCH INFORMATION section. The CATCH INFORMATION section must be completed at the latest by the end of the first transfer into towed cages, transhipment or landing operation. NB: in the case of joint fishing operations as defined by Article 2(g) of Council Regulation (EC) No 302/2009 of 6 April 2009 concerning a multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, amending Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No1559/2007 1 , the master of each catching vessel involved in the joint fishing operation must complete a catch document for each catch. (b) Specific instructions "FLAG": indicate the flag or trap Member State. "ICCAT Record No": indicate the ICCAT number of the catching vessel or trap authorised to fish bluefin tuna in the ICCAT Convention area. This information is not applicable to catching vessels which fish bluefin tuna as by- catch. "GEAR": indicate the fishing gear using the following codes BB Baitboat GILL Gillnet HAND Handline HARP Harpoon LL Longline MWT Mid-water trawl PS Purse seine RR Rod and reel SURF Surface fisheries unclassified TL Tended line TRAP Trap TROL Troll UNCL Unspecified methods OT Other type ____________________ 1 OJ L 96, 15.4.2009, p. 2 "TOTAL WEIGHT": indicate the round weight in kilograms. If round weight is not used at the time of catch, indicate the type of product (e.g. GG). In the case of joint fishing operations, the quantity reported must correspond to the allocation key defined for each catching vessel. "AREA": indicate the relevant geographical area of catch as defined by Article 4.30 of Council Regulation (EC) No1224 2009 by reference to an FAO sub- area and an ICES statistical rectangle or a GFCM geographical sub-area. "TAGS No (if applicable)": additional lines may be added to allow the listing of each tag number by individual fish. (2) Validation The flag or trap Member State is responsible for the validation of the CATCH INFORMATION section unless bluefin tuna are tagged in accordance with Article 5 of this Regulation. For landed or transhipped fish, validation must take place at the latest by the end of the transhipment or landing operation. For live transferred fish, validation may take place at the time of the first transfer into towed cages, but must take place in any event at the latest by the end of the caging operation. 3. TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is only applicable to domestic trade in or the export of live bluefin tunas. The master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE section. The TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE section must be completed at the latest by the end of the first transfer into towed cages. NB: where a quantity of fish die during the transfer operation and are domestically traded or exported, the original catch document (CATCH INFORMATION section completed and, where applicable, validated) must be copied, and the TRADE INFORMATION section of the copied catch document must be completed by the master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State and transmitted to the domestic buyer/importer. Validation of the copy guarantees that it is a true copy and has been recorded by the authorities of the Member State concerned. Without such validation, any catch document copy will be null and void. (b) Specific instructions: "ZONE": indicate the area of transfer, Mediterranean, western Atlantic or eastern Atlantic. "POINT OF EXPORT/DEPARTURE": indicate the Member State or CPC name of the fishery zone where the bluefin tuna were transferred or indicate "high seas" otherwise. "TRANSPORTATION DESCRIPTION": attach any relevant document certifying the trade. (2) Validation The flag Member State must not validate catch documents where the CATCH INFORMATION section has not been completed and, where applicable, validated. Validation may take place at the time of the first transfer into towed cages, but must in any event take place at the latest by the end of the caging operation. 4. TRANSFER INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is only applicable to live bluefin tunas. The master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State is responsible for the completion of the TRANSFER INFORMATION section. The TRANSFER INFORMATION section must be completed at the latest by the end of the first transfer operation. At the end of the first transfer operation, the master of the catching vessel must provide the catch document (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) to the master of the tug vessel. The completed and, where applicable, validated catch document must accompany the transfer of fish during transport to farm, including transfer of live bluefin tuna from the transport cage to another transport cage or transfer of dead bluefin tuna from the transport cage to an auxiliary vessel. NB: where some fish die during the transfer operation, the original catch document (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) must be copied, and the TRADE INFORMATION section of the copied catch document must be completed by the domestic seller/exporter or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State and transmitted to the domestic buyer/importer. Validation of the copy guarantees that it is a true copy and has been recorded by authorities of the Member State concerned. Without such validation, any catch document copy will be null and void. (b) Specific instructions: "No. OF FISH DEAD DURING TRANSFER" and "TOTAL WEIGHT OF DEAD FISH": information completed (if applicable) by the master of the tug vessel. "CAGE No.": indicate each number of cages in the case of a tug vessel having more than one cage. (2) Validation Validation of this section is not required. 5. TRANSHIPMENT INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is only applicable to dead bluefin tunas. The master of the transhipping fishing vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag State is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRANSHIPMENT INFORMATION section. The TRANSHIPMENT INFORMATION section must be completed at the latest by the end of the transhipment operation. (b) Specific instructions: "DATE": indicate the date of the transhipment. "PORT NAME": indicate the designated port of transhipment. "PORT STATE": indicate the Member State or CPC of the designated port of transhipment. (2) Validation The flag Member State must not validate catch documents where the CATCH INFORMATION section has not been completed and, where applicable, validated. Validation must take place at the latest by the end of the transhipment operation. 6. FARMING INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is only applicable to live caged tunas. The master of the tug vessel must provide the catch document (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) to the farm operator at the time of caging. The farm operator or his authorised representative or an authorized representative of the farm Member State is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the FARM INFORMATION section. The FARM INFORMATION section must be completed at the latest by the end of the caging operation. (b) Specific instructions: "CAGE No": indicate each number of cage. "ICCAT Regional Observer Information": indicate name, ICCAT number and signature. (2) Validation The farm Member State is responsible for the validation of the FARM INFORMATION section. The farm Member State must not validate catch documents where the CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections have not been completed and, where applicable, validated. Validation must take place at the latest by the end of the caging operation. 7. HARVESTING INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is only applicable to dead farmed tunas. The farm operator or his authorised representative or an authorized representative of the farm Member State is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the HARVEST FROM FARM INFORMATION section. The HARVESTING INFORMATION section must be completed at the latest by the end of the harvesting operation. (b) Specific instructions: "TAGS No (if applicable)": additional lines may be added to allow the listing of each tag number by individual fish. "ICCAT Regional Observer Information": indicate name, ICCAT number and signature. (2) Validation The farm Member State is responsible for the validation of the HARVESTING INFORMATION section. The farm Member State must not validate catch documents where the CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE, TRANSFER INFORMATION and FARMING INFORMATION sections have not been completed and, where applicable, validated. Validation must take place at the latest by the end of the harvesting operation. 8. TRADE INFORMATION (1) Completion (a) General principles: This section is applicable to domestic trade or export of dead bluefin tunas. The domestic seller or exporter or their authorised representative or an authorized representative of the Member State of the seller/exporter is responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRADE INFORMATION section, except the IMPORTER/BUYER subsection. The TRADE INFORMATION section, except the IMPORTER/BUYER subsection, must be completed prior to the fish being domestically traded or exported. In the case of domestic trade, the IMPORTER/BUYER subsection must be completed by the domestic buyer after the fish have been domestically traded. In the case of international trade, the IMPORTER/BUYER subsection must be completed by the importer. (b) Specific instructions: "TRANSPORTATION DESCRIPTION": attach any relevant document certifying the trade. (2) Validation The Member State of the seller/exporter is responsible for the validation of the TRADE INFORMATION (except the IMPORTER/BUYER subsection) section unless bluefin tuna are tagged in accordance with Article 5 of this Regulation. NB: where more than one domestic trade or export results from a single catch document, a copy of the original catch document must be validated by the Member State of the domestic seller or exporter and must be used and accepted as an original catch document. Validation of the copy guarantees that it is a true copy and has been recorded by the authorities of the Member State concerned. Without such validation, any catch document copy will be null and void. NB: In cases of re-export, the RE- EXPORT CERTIFICATE must be used to track further movements, which must relate to the catch information of the original catch document via the original catch document number. When bluefin tuna is caught by a catching vessel or trap flagged or established in a Member State or CPC using the tagging system, then exported dead and re-exported, the catch document accompanying the RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE does not have to be validated. However, the RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE must be validated. After import, a bluefin tuna may be divided into several pieces, which then may be subsequently exported. In such a case, the re-exporting Member State or CPC must confirm that the re-exported piece is part of the original fish accompanied by the catch document.