Ministerial Decree establishing technical modalities for the enforcement of the closed season for the year 1997.

This Ministerial Decree makes provisions for the enforcement of the closed season for 1997. It consists of 21 articles and 3 annexes. The decree applies to drag net and midwater trawl fishing. The fishing season will be closed from 31 July to 13 September for the fishing vessels registered in the maritime districts of the Adriatic Sea and from 22 September to 5 November for those registered in the maritime districts of the Tyrrhenian and Ionic Seas. During the closed season the fishing vessels may carry out routine and extraordinary maintenance works and therefore reach the maintenance location, provided that all fishing equipment be unloaded. To be eligible for premiums the fishing vessels must satisfy requirements and conditions laid down in articles 9 and 10. During the months following the closed season fishing activities are banned on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As an exception fishing activities are allowed on Fridays but only for the purpose of recovering periods of inactivity due to adverse weather conditions. At the end of the season a declaration certifying the compliance with the provisions of the Decree shall be released for each fishing vessels by the appropriate authority, according to the form contained in Annex A (art. 12). The Decree establishes also an allowance of 40.000 or 30.000 It. Liras (depending on the gross tonnage of the fishing vessels) to be paid daily in favour of each member of the crew.