CHAPTER IVSAFEGUARDS

Article 7Conservation reference points

F1F2The Secretary of State must request from ICES, or a similar independent scientific body recognised at international level, the following conservation reference points to safeguard the full reproductive capacity of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) based on the plan—

  1. (a)

    MSY Btrigger for stocks referred to in Article 1(1);

  2. (b)

    Blim for stocks referred to in Article 1(1).

Article 8Safeguards

1.

When scientific advice indicates that for a given year the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance of any of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) is below the MSY Btrigger, F3... appropriate remedial measures shall be adopted to ensure rapid return of the stock or functional unit concerned to levels above those capable of producing MSY. In particular, notwithstanding Article 4(3), fishing opportunities shall be set at levels consistent with a fishing mortality that is reduced below the upper range of FMSY, taking into account the F4current biomass or, in the case of Norway lobster, current abundance.

2.

When scientific advice indicates that the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance of any of the stocks referred to in Article 1(1) is below the Blim, further remedial measures shall be taken to ensure rapid return of the stock or functional unit concerned to levels above the level capable of producing MSY. In particular, those remedial measures may include, notwithstanding Article 4(3), suspending the targeted fishery for the stock or functional unit concerned and the adequate reduction of fishing opportunities.

3.

Remedial measures referred to in this Article may include:

F5(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)

measures pursuant to Article 9 of this Regulation.

4.

The choice of measures referred to in this Article shall be made in accordance with the nature, seriousness, duration and repetition of the situation where the spawning stock biomass and, in the case of Norway lobster stocks, abundance is below the levels referred to in Article 7.

F6(5)

The Secretary of State may, in view of a relevant change of circumstances, make a determination under section 23 of the Fisheries Act 2020 otherwise than in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 4.

F6(6)

If the Secretary of State makes a determination in reliance on paragraph 5 the Secretary of State must prepare and publish a document—

(a)

describing the relevant change of circumstances, and

(b)

explaining how the relevant change in circumstances affected the determination.

F6(7)

For the purposes of this Article, the changes in circumstances that are capable of being “relevant” include (in particular) changes relating to—

(a)

the international obligations of the United Kingdom,

(b)

things done (or not done) by the government of a territory outside the United Kingdom that affect the marine and aquatic environment (within the meaning of the Fisheries Act 2020),

(c)

available scientific evidence, or

(d)

available evidence relating to the social, economic or environmental elements of sustainable development.