Recommendation on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area (Rec. 19:2014). Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2014 (2015) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Data collection/reporting Monitoring Protected fishing area Fishing gear/fishing method Precautionary principle High seas Ecosystem preservation Coral Deep sea bed Marine area Aquatic animals Abstract This Recommendation of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission concerns protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems ("VMEs") (as defined by the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas) in the NEAFC area from fishing and related activities. The objective of this Recommendation is to ensure the implementation by NEAFC of effective measures to prevent significant adverse impacts of bottom fishing activities on VMEs known to occur or likely to occur in the NEAFC Regulatory Area based on the best available scientific information provided or endorsed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). This Recommendation concerns, among other things: regulation of bottom fishing activities, area closures, assessment of proposed exploratory bottom fishing activities, obligations of CCMs to ensure certain behaviour by fishing vessels flying its flag if such vessel encounters possible VMEs. Each Contracting Party proposing to undertake exploratory bottom fishing in the Regulatory Area shall submit to the Secretary, in addition to the Notice of Intent, a preliminary assessment of the known and anticipated impacts of the proposed bottom fishing activity as described in Annex 4. Observers on fishing vessels in the Regulatory Area who are deployed pursuant to Article 6.6 of this Recommendation shall observe the VME Data Collection Protocol as set out in Annex III to this Recommendation. Full text English Website www.neafc.org References - Legislation Amended by Recommendation on amending Recommendation 19:2014 on area management measures for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area (Rec. 07:2023). Legislation | 2023 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Marine fishes Source: FAO, FAOLEX Recommendation on amending Recommendation 19:2014 on area management measures for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area (Rec. 06:2023). Legislation | 2023 Keyword: Fishery management and conservation, Marine fisheries, Marine fishes Source: FAO, FAOLEX Recommendation 19 : 2014 on area management measures for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area, as amended (Rec. 07:2023). Legislation | 2023 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Data collection/reporting, Monitoring, Protected fishing area, Fishing gear/fishing method, Precautionary principle, High seas, Ecosystem preservation, Coral, Deep sea bed, Marine area, Aquatic animals Source: FAO, FAOLEX Recommendation 10:2021 to amend Recommendation 19:2014 on the Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area, as amended. Legislation | 2021 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Data collection/reporting, Monitoring, Protected fishing area, Fishing gear/fishing method, Precautionary principle, High seas, Ecosystem preservation, Coral, Deep sea bed, Marine area, Aquatic animals Source: FAO, FAOLEX A technical correction of Recommendation 19:2014 on area management measures for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area (Rec. 13:2024). Legislation | 2024 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Marine fishes Source: FAO, FAOLEX Recommendation on amending Recommendation 19:2014 on area management measures for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area. Legislation | 2024 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Marine fishes, Ecosystem preservation, Marine area Source: FAO, FAOLEX