This Regulation, unless otherwise provided, applies to Union fishing vessels used or intended for use for the purposes of commercial fishing activities conducted on fishery resources in the NAFO Regulatory Area, as defined in Annex I to the Convention, as well as activities by third country vessels under the Convention in Union waters or territory.

Unless otherwise provided in this Regulation, Union research vessels shall not be restricted by conservation and management measures pertaining to the catching of fish, in particular concerning mesh size, size limits, closed areas and seasons.