1.The survivability exemption referred to in Article 15(4)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall apply to catches of common sole below minimum conservation reference size made within 6 nautical miles of the coast in ICES area IVc and outside identified nursery areas, with otter trawls (OTB) with cod end mesh size of 80-99 mm.
2.The exemption referred to in paragraph 1 shall only apply to vessels with a maximum length of 10 metres, a maximum engine power of 221 kW, when fishing in waters with a depth of 30 metres or less and with limited tow durations of no more than 1.30 hours.
3.When discarding common sole caught in cases referred to in paragraph 1, the common sole shall be released immediately.