FantasticSearch

1. NEAFC inspectors shall not board any fishing vessel without transmitting prior notice by radio to that vessel or without giving that vessel the appropriate signal using the International Code of Signals, including the identity of the inspection platform. However, it shall not be necessary for such notice to be acknowledged as received.

2. NEAFC inspectors shall have the authority to examine all relevant areas, decks and rooms of the fishing vessel, catch (whether processed or not), nets or other gear, equipment and any relevant documents they deem necessary to verify compliance with the conservation and management measures adopted by NEAFC and to question the master or a person designated by the master.

3. The fishing vessel to be boarded shall not be required to stop or manoeuvre when fishing, shooting or hauling. The NEAFC inspectors may order that the hauling of the fishing gear be interrupted or delayed until they have boarded the fishing vessel provided that such order is transmitted within 30 minutes after the fishing vessel has received the prior notice referred to in paragraph 1.

4. NEAFC inspectors may instruct a fishing vessel to delay its entry into or exit from the Regulatory Area for up to 6 hours from the time of transmission by the fishing vessel of the reports referred to in Article 14(1), points (b) and (g).

5. The duration of an inspection shall not exceed 4 hours, or the time it takes to haul in the net and to inspect the net and the catch, whichever is longer. However, where an infringement is reported, the NEAFC inspectors may stay on board for the time necessary for the completion of measures provided for in Article 34(1), point (b).

6. In special circumstances relating to the size of a fishing vessel and the quantities of fish retained on board, the duration of the inspection may exceed the limits laid down in paragraph 5. In such a situation, NEAFC inspectors shall under no circumstances stay on board the fishing vessel for longer than the time required to complete the inspection. The reasons for exceeding the limit stipulated in paragraph 5 shall be recorded in the inspection report.

7. No more than four NEAFC inspectors shall board a fishing vessel of another Contracting Party.

8. In carrying out their inspection, the NEAFC inspectors may request the master to provide any assistance which is required.

9. NEAFC inspectors shall not interfere with the master’s ability to communicate with the authorities of the flag State during the boarding and inspection.

10. Inspection platforms shall manoeuvre at a safe distance from the fishing vessels in accordance with good seamanship.

11. NEAFC inspectors shall document each inspection by completing an inspection report in the format established in Annex XVIII. The inspection report may be commented upon by the master and shall be signed by the NEAFC inspectors at the end of the inspection. NEAFC inspectors shall provide the master of the fishing vessel with a copy of the inspection report.

12. NEAFC inspectors shall transmit without delay a copy of each inspection report to EFCA and shall promptly upload the information of the inspection report into the secure part of the NEAFC website. The original or a certified copy of each inspection report shall be forwarded on request to the flag Member State or Contracting Party of the inspected vessel.