Regulations on the Management of Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishing Operation Article 10

The priority sequence for issuing Pacific bluefin tuna fishing permits shall be as follows:(1)The first priority: fishing vessels that, in the preceding year, were permitted by the central competent authority to conduct Pacific bluefin tuna fishing operations, had historical catch records, and were not subject to any punishment for violating these Regulations.(2)The second priority: fishing vessels under 100 gross tonnage (GT) with historical catch records in the preceding five years.(3)The third priority: fishing vessels of 100 GT or above with historical catch records in the preceding five years.(4)The fourth priority: fishing vessels under 100 GT with no historical catch records in the preceding five years.(5)The fifth priority: fishing vessels of 100 GT or above with no historical catch records in the preceding five years.In the event that the number of applications submitted pursuant to Article 9 exceeds the prescribed limit in Article 7, and the priority cannot be decided in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the central competent authority shall draw lots to decide the priority in an equitable and impartial manner.