Based on the provisions of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in the South East Atlantic Ocean (SEAFO), this text sets (for the period from 1 January 2021 until 31 December 2021) related conservation measure: on Total Allowable Catches and related conditions for Patagonian Toothfish, Deep-Sea Red Crab, Alfonsino, Orange Roughy and Pelagic Armourhead in the SEAFO Convention Area. The Commission, taking account of the scientific advice provided by the Scientific Committee and pursuant to Article 6 of the Convention, has adopted the following measures: 1. Total allowable catches a) Patagonian toothfish: 275 tonnes for Sub-area D and zero tonnes for the remainder of the SEAFO CA; b) Deep-sea red crab: 171 tonnes in Division B1 and 200 tonnes in the remainder of the Convention Area; c) Alfonsino: 200 tonnes for the SEAFO CA of which a maximum of 132 tonnes may be taken in Division B1; d) Orange roughy: zero tonnes and a 4 tonnes bycatch allowance in Division B1, and 50 tonnes in the remainder of the SEAFO CA subject to exploratory fishing protocols, and e) Pelagic amourhead: 135 tonnes for the SEAFO CA. 2. Vessel reporting requirements Each Contracting Party shall ensure that their vessels fishing in the SEAFO CA shall send reports as cf. Article 10, 11, 12, 13 and 18 of the System of Observation, Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement to the Secretariat. 3. Bycatch of Alfonsino/Pelagic Armourhead Taking into account that highly selective fishery for pelagic armourhead and alfonsino is practically possible by trawl fishery in the CA, following measures should be applied for trawl fishery targeting armourhead and alfonsino in the CA: (a) Any vessels engaging in trawl fisheries targeting armourhead and/or alfonsino should send daily catch reports to the Secretariat; (b) Based on these daily catch reports, the cumulative catches of armourhead and alfonsino should be closely monitored by the Secretariat; (c) Fishing activities should be developed by first targeting one species (first target species); (d) When the Secretariat determines that 95% of the TAC for one of that species is reached in a management area, the fleet should be instructed by the Secretariat to target the other species (second target species). A total by catch of 5% of the first target species TAC is allowed to be taken when targeting the second species in the same management area; and (e) If 95% of the TAC for the second species is already reached by other vessels, the vessel can fish its second target species as long as the TAC is not exhausted. 4. Closure of fisheries The Executive Secretary shall close the fisheries when the total allowable catches referred to in paragraph 1 are deemed to be exhausted.
2020-11-26