Annexes to COM(2020)670 - Catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2020)670 - Catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
document	COM(2020)670
date	December 13, 2023

Agreement of 28 July 1994 relating to the implementation of Part XI thereof (OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 1).

(5) Council Decision 98/414/EC of 8 June 1998 on the ratification by the European Community of the Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 14).

(6) Council Decision 96/428/EC of 25 June 1996 on acceptance by the Community of the Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas (OJ L 177, 16.7.1996, p. 24).

(7) Council Decision 86/238/EEC of 9 June 1986 on the accession of the Community to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, as amended by the Protocol annexed to the Final Act of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the States Parties to the Convention signed in Paris on 10 July 1984 (OJ L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 33).

(8) Regulation (EU) No 640/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 establishing a catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1984/2003 (OJ L 194, 24.7.2010, p. 1).

(9) Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, amending Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU) 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2016/1627 (OJ L 238, 27.9.2023, p. 1).

(10) OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

(11) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

(12) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

(13) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1).

ANNEX I

Data to be included in the bluefin tuna catch document (BCD)

1.

ICCAT bluefin tuna catch document number

2.

Catch information
Name of the catching vessel or trap name

Name of the other vessels (in the case of joint fishing operations (JFOs))

Flag

ICCAT Record number

Individual quota

Quota used for this BCD

Date, area of catch and gear used

Number of fish, total weight and average weight (1)

ICCAT Record number of JFOs (if applicable)

Tag number (if applicable)

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

3.

Trade information for live fish trade
Product description

Exporter/seller information

Transportation description

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

Importer/buyer

4.

Transfer information
Towing vessel description

ICCAT transfer declaration number

Name and flag of the vessel

ICCAT Record number

Number of fish dead during transfer

Total weight of dead fish (kg)

Towing cage description

Cage number

5.

Transhipment information
Carrier vessel description

Name, flag, ICCAT Record number, date, port name, port state, position

Product description

(F/FR; RD/GG/DR/FL/OT)

Total weight (NET)

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

6.

Farming information
Farming facility description

Name, CPC, ICCAT record of bluefin tuna farming facilities (FFB) number and location of farm

Participation in national sampling programme (yes or no)

Cage description

Date of caging, cage number

Fish description

Estimates of number of fish, total weight and average weight (2)

ICCAT Regional Observer information

Name, ICCAT number, signature

Estimated size composition (<8 kg, 8-30 kg, >30 kg)

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

7.

Harvesting information
Harvesting description

Date of harvest

Number of fish, total (round) weight, and average weight

Tag number (if applicable)

ICCAT Regional Observer information

Name, ICCAT number, signature

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

8.

Trade information
Product description

(F/FR; RD/GG/DR/FL/OT)

Total weight (NET)

Exporter/seller information

Point of export or departure

Export company name, address, signature and date

State of destination

Description of transportation (relevant documentation to be attached)

Government validation

Name of authority and signatory, title, signature, seal and date

Importer/buyer information

Point of import or destination

Import company name, address, signature and date of signature

(1) Weight shall be reported by round weight, where available. If round weight is not used, specify the type of product (e.g. GG) in the ‘Total Weight’ and ‘Average Weight’ section of the form.

(2) Weight shall be reported by round weight where available. If round weight is not used, specify the type of product (e.g. GG) in the ‘Total Weight’ and ‘Average Weight’ section of the form.

ANNEX II

ICCAT bluefin tuna catch document

ANNEX III

Instructions for the issuing, numbering, completion and validation of the bluefin tuna catch document (BCD)

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

(1)

Language

An official ICCAT language (English, French and Spanish) shall be used in completing the BCD.

(2)

Numbering

Member States shall develop unique numbering system for BCDs using their ICCAT country code or ISO code in combination with an 8-digit number, of which two digits shall indicate the year of catch.

Example: CA-09-123456 (CA stands for Canada).

In the case of split shipments or processed products, copies of the original BCD shall be numbered by supplementing the number of the original BCD with a 2-digit number.

Example: CA-09-123456-01, CA-09-123456-02, CA-09-123456-03.

The numbering shall be sequential and preferably printed. The serial numbers of blank BCDs issued shall be recorded by the name of the recipient.

In the case of producing a grouped BCD, the farm operator or his authorised representative shall request a new BCD number from the farm Member State. The number for grouped BCDs shall contain ‘G’ as in ‘CA-09-123456-G’.

2. CATCH INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is applicable to all catches of bluefin tuna.

The master of the catching vessel or the trap operator or their authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag or trap Member State shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the CATCH INFORMATION section.

The CATCH INFORMATION section shall be completed no later than the end of transfer, transhipment or landing operation.

Remark: in the case of a JFO between different flags, one BCD for each flag shall be produced. In this case, each BCD shall indicate the same information in VESSEL/TRAP INFORMATION concerning the vessel which actually made the catch and all the other fishing vessels involved in that JFO, whereas CATCH DESCRIPTION shall indicate the catch information attributed to each flag based on the allocation key of the JFO.

In the case of catches originating from one JFO comprising vessels of the same flag, the master of the catching vessel which actually made such catches, or its authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State, shall complete the BCD form on behalf of all the vessels participating in such JFO.

(b)

Specific instructions:

‘NAME OF THE CATCHING VESSEL/TRAP’: list the name of the catching vessel which actually made the catches.

‘NAME OF THE OTHER FISHING VESSELS’: only applicable to JFOs and list the other participating fishing vessels.

‘FLAG’: indicate the flag or trap Member State.

‘ICCAT RECORD No’: indicate the ICCAT number of the catching vessel or trap authorised to fish bluefin tuna in the Convention area. That information is not applicable to catching vessels which fish bluefin tuna as by-catch. In the case of a JFO, list the ICCAT Record Numbers of the vessel which actually made the catch as well as other vessels participating in that JFO.

‘INDIVIDUAL QUOTA’: indicate the amount of individual quota given to each vessel.

‘QUOTA USED FOR THIS BCD’: indicate the amount of catch attributed to this BCD.

‘GEAR’: indicate the fishing gear using the following codes:

BB	Baitboat
GILL	Gillnet
HAND	Handline
HARP	Harpoon
LL	Longline
MWT	Mid-water trawl
PS	Purse seine
RR	Rod and reel
SPHL	Sport handline
SPOR	Sport fisheries unclassified
SURF	Surface fisheries unclassified
TL	Tended line
TRAP	Trap
TROL	Troll
UNCL	Unspecified methods
OT	Other type

‘No. of FISH’: in the case of a JFO comprising vessels of the same flag, indicate the total number of fish caught in such operation. In the case of a JFO between different flags, indicate the number of fish attributed to each flag in accordance with the allocation key.

‘TOTAL WEIGHT’: indicate the total round weight in kilograms. If round weight is not used at the time of catch, indicate the type of product (e.g. GG). In the case of a JFO between different flags, indicate the round weight attributed to that flag in accordance with the allocation key.

‘AREA’: indicate Mediterranean, western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic or Pacific.

‘TAG number (if applicable)’: additional lines may be added to allow the listing of each tag number by individual fish.

(2)

Validation

The flag or trap Member State shall be responsible for the validation of the CATCH INFORMATION section unless bluefin tuna are tagged in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.

3. TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is only applicable to export of live bluefin tuna.

The master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE section.

The TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE section shall be completed before the first transfer operation, i.e. the transfer of fish from the catching vessel net to the transport cage.

Remark: in the case that a quantity of fish dies during the transfer operation and is domestically traded or exported, the original BCD (CATCH INFORMATION section completed) shall be copied for the fish, and the TRADE INFORMATION section of the copied BCD shall be completed by the master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State and transmitted to the domestic buyer/importer. Government validation of that copy shall guarantee that it is a valid copy and has been recorded by authorities of the Member State. Without the government validation, any BCD copy is null and void.

In the case of a JFO comprising vessels of the same Member State, the master of the catching vessel which actually made the catches, or its authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State, shall be responsible for the completion.

(b)

Specific instructions:

‘ZONE’: indicate the area of transfer – Mediterranean, western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic or Pacific.

‘POINT OF EXPORT/DEPARTURE’: indicate the Member State or CPC name of the fishery zone where the bluefin tuna were transferred or indicate ‘high seas’ otherwise.

‘TRANSPORTATION DESCRIPTION’: attach any relevant document certifying the trade.

(2)

Validation

The flag Member State shall not validate documents where the CATCH INFORMATION section is not completed.

4. TRANSFER INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is only applicable to live bluefin tuna.

The master of the catching vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State shall be responsible for the completion of the TRANSFER INFORMATION section. In the case of a JFO comprising vessels of the same Member State, the master of the catching vessel which actually made the catches, or its authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State, shall be responsible for the completion.

The TRANSFER INFORMATION section shall be completed no later than the end of the first transfer operation, i.e. the transfer of fish from the catching vessel net to the transport cage.

At the end of the transfer operation, the master of the catching vessel (or the master of the catching vessel which actually made the catches in the case of a JFO comprising vessels of the same Member State) shall provide the BCD (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) to the master of the tug vessel.

The completed BCD shall accompany the transfer of fish during transport to farm, including transfer of live bluefin tuna from the transport cage to another transport cage or transfer of dead bluefin tuna from the transport cage to an auxiliary vessel.

Remark: in the case that some fish die during the transfer operation, the original BCD (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) shall be copied, and the TRADE INFORMATION section of the copied BCD shall be completed by the domestic seller/exporter or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State and transmitted to the domestic buyer/importer. Government validation of this copy shall guarantee that it is a valid copy and has been recorded by authorities of the Member State. Without the authorised government validation, any BCD copy is null and void.

(b)	Specific instructions: ‘No. OF FISH DEAD DURING TRANSFER’ and ‘TOTAL WEIGHT OF DEAD FISH’: information completed (if applicable) by the master of the tug vessel. ‘CAGE No.’: indicate each number of cages in the case of a tug vessel having more than one cage.

(2)

Validation

Validation of this section is not required.

5. TRANSSHIPMENT INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is only applicable to dead bluefin tuna.

The master of the transhipping fishing vessel or his authorised representative or the authorised representative of the flag Member State shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRANSHIPMENT INFORMATION section.

The TRANSHIPMENT INFORMATION section shall be completed at the end of the transhipment operation.

(b)	Specific instructions: ‘DATE’: indicate the date of the transhipment. ‘PORT NAME’: indicate the designated port of transhipment. ‘PORT STATE’: indicate the Member State or CPC of the designated port of transhipment.

(2)

Validation

The flag Member State shall not validate documents where the CATCH INFORMATION section is not completed and validated.

6. FARMING INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is only applicable to live caged tuna.

The master of the tug vessel shall provide the BCD (CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections completed and, where applicable, validated) to the farm operator at the time of caging.

The farm operator or his authorised representative or an authorised representative of the farm Member State shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the FARMING INFORMATION section.

The FARMING INFORMATION section shall be completed at the end of the caging operation.

(b)	Specific instructions: ‘CAGE No’: indicate each number of cage. ‘ICCAT REGIONAL OBSERVER INFORMATION’: indicate name, ICCAT number and signature.

(2)

Validation

The farm Member State shall be responsible for the validation of the FARMING INFORMATION section.

The farm Member State shall not validate BCDs where the CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE and TRANSFER INFORMATION sections are not completed and, where applicable, validated.

7. HARVESTING INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is only applicable to dead farmed tuna.

The farm operator or his authorised representative or an authorised representative of the farm Member State shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the HARVESTING INFORMATION section.

The HARVESTING INFORMATION section shall be completed at the end of the harvesting operations.

(b)	Specific instructions: ‘TAG Number (if applicable)’: additional lines may be added to allow the listing of each tag number by individual fish. ‘ICCAT REGIONAL OBSERVER INFORMATION’: indicate name, ICCAT number and signature.

(2)

Validation

The farm Member State shall be responsible for the validation of the HARVESTING INFORMATION section.

The farm Member State shall not validate BCDs where the CATCH INFORMATION, TRADE INFORMATION FOR LIVE FISH TRADE, TRANSFER INFORMATION and FARMING INFORMATION sections are not completed and, where applicable, validated.

8. TRADE INFORMATION

(1)

Completion

(a)

General principles:

This section is applicable to dead bluefin tuna.

The domestic seller or exporter or their authorised representative or an authorised representative of the Member State of the seller/exporter shall be responsible for the completion and the request for validation of the TRADE INFORMATION section.

The TRADE INFORMATION section shall be completed prior to the fish being domestically traded or exported.

(b)	Specific instructions: ‘TRANSPORTATION DESCRIPTION’: attach any relevant document certifying the trade.

(2)

Validation

The Member State of the seller/exporter shall be responsible for the validation of the TRADE INFORMATION section unless bluefin tuna are tagged in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.

Remark: in cases where more than one domestic trade or export results from a single BCD, a copy of the original BCD shall be validated by the Member State of the domestic seller or exporter and shall be used and accepted as an original BCD. Government validation of that copy shall guarantee that it is a valid copy and has been recorded by authorities of the Member State concerned. Without the authorised government validation, any BCD copy is null and void.

In cases of re-export, the RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE (Annex V) shall be used to track further movements, which shall be related to the catch information of the original BCD of the catch via the original BCD number.

When bluefin tuna is caught by a Member State or CPC using the tagging system, exported dead to a country, and re-exported to another country, the BCD accompanying the RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE does not have to be validated. However, the RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE shall be validated.

After import, a bluefin tuna may be divided into several pieces, which then may be subsequently exported. The re-exporting Member State or CPC shall confirm that the re-exported piece is part of the original fish accompanied by the BCD.

ANNEX IV

ICCAT bluefin tuna re-export certificate

Section 1: Bluefin tuna re-export certificate number

Section 2: Re-export section

Re-export country/entity/fishing entity

Point of re-export

Section 3: Description of imported bluefin tuna

Net weight (kg)

BCD (or eBCD) number and date(s) of importation

Section 4: Description of bluefin tuna for re-export

Net weight (kg)

Corresponding BCD (or eBCD) number

State of destination

Section 6: Government validation

ANNEX V

ICCAT bluefin tuna re-export certificate

1.	DOCUMENT NUMBER

ICCAT BLUEFIN TUNA RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE

2.	RE-EXPORT SECTION:

RE-EXPORTING COUNTRY/ENTITY/FISHING ENTITY

POINT OF RE-EXPORT

3.	DESCRIPTION OF IMPORTED BLUEFIN TUNA

Product Type

Net Weight

Flag CPC

Date of import

BCD

F/FR RD/GG/DR/FL/OT

(kg)

No.

4.	DESCRIPTION OF BLUEFIN TUNA FOR RE-EXPORT

Product Type

Net Weight

Corresponding BCD number

F/FR RD/GG/DR/FL/OT

(kg)

F = Fresh, FR = Frozen, RD = Round, GG = Gilled & Gutted, DR = Dressed, FL = Fillet, OT = Others (Describe the type of product:)

STATE OF DESTINATION:

5.	RE EXPORTER STATEMENT:

I certify that the above information is. complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief

Name

Address

Signature

Date

6.	GOVERNMENT VALIDATION:

I validate that the above information is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name & Title

Signature

Date

Government Seal

7.	IMPORT SECTION

IMPORTER STATEMENT

I certify that the above information is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Importer Certification

Name

Address

Signature

Date

Final Point of Import: City

State/Province

CPC

NOTE: This form is to be completed in one of the official languages of ICCAT (English, French or Spanish). All other language versions of this form are provided for information purposes only.

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2833/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)