Order No. 110/2018 amending the requirements for the exemption from the use of satellite vessel monitoring system, recording and transmission by electronic means of fishing activity by national fishing vessels of length between 12 and 15 meters.

This Order amends the requirements for the exemption from the use of satellite vessel monitoring system, recording and transmission by electronic means of fishing activity by national fishing vessels of length between 12 and 15 meters. Whereas purse-seine fishing is essentially aimed at catching sardines, it is necessary to better monitor the catches and fishing sites of authorised vessels exceeding 12 meters through the installation and mandatory use of the system for non-exempted vessels. This measure was included in the Plan for the management and recovery of Iberian sardines for the period 2018-2023, presented to the European Commission, which provides for the reinforcement of monitoring of purse-seine fishing through the installation of such equipment. Amendments establish that authorised vessels to fish with purse-seine fishing which are no longer exempted have a 90-day period from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, for the installation and start-up of the satellite tracking equipment, provided for in Decree-Law No. 310/98 of 14 October.