1.The exemption from the landing obligation provided for in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, for species for which scientific evidence demonstrates high survival rates, shall apply to the following catches of Norway lobster:
(a)catches with pots (FPO);
(b)catches in ICES Division IIIa with bottom trawls (OTB, TBN) with a mesh size of at least 70 mm equipped with a species selective grid with bar spacing of maximum 35 mm; and
(c)catches in ICES Division IIIa with bottom trawls (OTB, TBN) with a mesh size of at least 90 mm equipped with a top panel of at least 270 mm mesh size (diamond mesh) or at least 140 mm mesh size (square mesh).
2.Norway lobster caught in cases referred to in paragraph 1(a), (b) and (c) shall be released immediately and in the area where it has been caught.
3.By 30 April 2016, Member States having a direct management interest in the North Sea shall submit to the Commission additional scientific information supporting the exemption laid down in paragraph 1(b).