Definitions

Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Term	Definition	Source
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME)	Vulnerable marine ecosystems, defined in CM 22-06, including seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold water corals and sponge fields.	CCAMLR. 2012. Conservation Measure 22-06. Paragraph 3.
Registered VME	VME which have been reviewed by CCAMLR and added to the CCAMLR VME Register. This includes VMEs listed in CM 22-09.	CCAMLR. 2012. Annex 22-09/A of Conservation Measure 22-09.
VME Indicator Organism	VME indicator organisms are benthic taxa defined in the CCAMLR VME Taxa Classification Guide.	CCAMLR. 2009. VME Taxa Classification Guide.
VME Risk Area	A VME Risk Area is an area where 10 or more VME indicator units are recovered within a single line segment. A Risk Area has a radius of 1 n mile from the midpoint of the line segment from which the VME indicator units are recovered. However, CCAMLR Members may require their vessels to observe a larger Risk Area in accordance with their domestic laws. VME risk areas are included in the CCAMLR VME Register.	CCAMLR. 2013. Conservation Measure 22-07. Paragraph 2(v).
VME Indicator Unit	‘VME indicator unit’ means either one litre of those VME indicator organismsthat can be placed in a 10-litre container, or one kilogram of those VME indicatororganisms that do not fit into a 10-litre container.	CCAMLR. 2013. Conservation Measure 22-07. Paragraph 2(iii).
Line Segment	‘Line segment’ means a 1 000-hook section of line or a 1200 m section of line,whichever is the shorter, and for pot lines a 1 200 m section.	CCAMLR. 2013. Conservation Measure 22-07. Paragraph 2(iv).
Bottom Fishing Activity	Any fishing activity which uses any gear that interacts with the bottom (seafloor).	CCAMLR. 2012. Conservation Measure 22-06. Paragraph 4.
New Fishery	The regulatory framework for CCAMLR-managed fisheries recognises a new fishery as: biological data (including species distribution and abundance) and fishery data are not available, or data from the two most recent fishing seasons have not been submitted to CCAMLR; notification is required prior to fishing (Conservation Measure 21-01); and becomes an exploratory fishery after the first year of fishing.	CCAMLR. 2014. Fisheries Regulatory Framework.
Established Fishery	The regulatory framework for CCAMLR-managed fisheries recognises an established fishery as: appropriate time series of data to support a comprehensive stock assessment and evaluation of a management strategy; and notification and permission are required prior to fishing for krill (Conservation Measure 21-03), and are optional for other target species.	CCAMLR. 2014. Fisheries Regulatory Framework.
Exploratory Fishery	The regulatory framework for CCAMLR-managed fisheries recognises an exploratory fishery as: not allowed to expand faster than the acquisition of information necessary for managing the fishery within CCAMLR’s management objectives; notification and permission are required prior to fishing (Conservation Measure 21-02); and remains an exploratory fishery until sufficient information is available on appropriate catch and effort levels and the potential impacts on dependent and related species.	CCAMLR. 2014. Fisheries Regulatory Framework.
Research Fishing	Restricted fishing, notified under CM 24-01, for collecting data for the purpose of research, including the development of stock assessments in data-poor exploratory fisheries or areas closed to fishing.	CCAMLR. 2014. Conservation Measures 24-01. Paragraph 1(a).
Restricted Area	Prohibition on fishing for Dissostichus spp. in depths shallower than 550 m in exploratory fisheries to protect benthic communities.	CCAMLR. 2009. Conservation Measure 22-08.
Closed Fishery	The regulatory framework for CCAMLR-managed fisheries recognises a closed fishery as: directed fishing on the target species is prohibited.	CCAMLR. 2014. Fisheries Regulatory Framework.

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Term	Definition	Source
Deepwater Fisheries Restriction	The use of towed dredges and trawl nets fisheries at depths beyond 1000 m of depth is prohibited to all GFCM members in the Mediterranean and Black sea.	GFCM. 2005. Recommendations on Mediterranean Fisheries Management. (no resolutions). Paragraph 2.
Fisheries Restricted Areas	A spatial based management measure first used by GFCM in 2006 to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. Closure is permanent in the designated areas to towed dredges and trawl nets. Designation of these type of measure imply the filling up of a comprehensive ProForma application form adopted in 2007 [SAC, Appendix D, p. 55-66] and updated in 2014. [SCMEE 2014, Appendix E]. It can be requested by contracting parties or other partners of GFCM including civil society bodies.	GFCM. 2006. Recommendation GFCM/2006/3. Establishment of Fisheries Restricted Areas in order to protect the Deep Sea Sensitive Habitats. Paragraph 1.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
Term	Definition	Source
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME)	The term “vulnerable marine ecosystems” refers to paragraphs 42 and 43 of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas. (FC Doc 2008; CEM 2009-present).	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.5
VME indicator species	Refers to species that signal the occurrence of vulnerable marine ecosystems, as specified in Part VI of Annex I.E of the NAFO CEM.	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.7
VME indicator element	The term “VME indicator element” refers to topographical, hydrophysical or geological features which potentially support VMEs as specified in Part VII of Annex I.E of the 2015 NAFO CEM.	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.6
Significant Adverse Impacts (SAIs)	Refers to paragraphs 17 to 20 of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas.	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.1
New Bottom Fishing Area	The term "new bottom fishing areas" means all other areas within the Regulatory Area which are not defined as existing bottom fishing areas.	NAFO. 2012. Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.4.
Unfished Bottom Areas	The term “unfished bottom areas” means other areas within the Regulatory Area which are not defined as existing bottom fishing areas.	NAFO. 2013. Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.5.
Bottom Fishing Activities	The term “bottom fishing activities” means bottom fishing activities where the fishing gear is likely to contact the seafloor during the normal course of fishing operations. (2008-present).	NAFO. 2009. Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 1bis.2.
Encounter	The term “Encounter” means catch of a VME indicator species above threshold levels as set out in Article 22.1 of the NAFO CEM. Any encounter with a VME indicator species or merely detecting its presence is not sufficient to identify a VME. That identification should be made on a case-by-case basis through assessment by relevant bodies.	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.1.
Footprint	Otherwise known as “Existing bottom fishing areas”, means that portion of the NAFO Regulatory Area where bottom fishing has historically occurred, and is defined by the coordinates shown in Table 4 and illustrated in Figure 2 (Article 16 of the 2015 NAFO CEM).	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.3
Exploratory bottom fishing activities	Means bottom fishing activities conducted outside the footprint, or within the footprint with significant changes to the conduct or in the technology used in the fishery.	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15-2
Seamount Closure	Only defined in terms of the areas that are closed to bottom fishing (CEM 2007-present).	NAFO. 2015. NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 17-1.
Coral Protection Zone (30 Coral Closure)	Only defined in terms of the area that is closed to bottom fishing (CEM 2008 - present).	NAFO. 2008. Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 15.1.
Area of higher sponge and coral concentration	Only defined in terms of the areas that are closed to bottom fishing (CEM 2010 - present).	NAFO. 2010. Conservation and Enforcement Measures. Article 16.3.

North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
Term	Definition	Source
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME)	The term “vulnerable marine ecosystems” (VMEs) has the same meaning and characteristics as those contained in paragraphs 42 and 43 of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 2(h).
VME Indicator	Seven habitat types as well as physical elements for the NEAFC Regulatory Area, with the taxa most likely to be found in these habitats, are listed in Annex 5. These are considered as VME indicators. The VME Habitat types listed are: cold-water coral reef; coral garden; deep-sea sponge aggregations; seapen fields; tube-dwelling anemone patches; mud- and sand-emergent fauna; and bryzoan patches. The physical elements listed are: isolated seamounts; steep-slopes and peaks on mid-ocean ridges; knolls; canyon-like; and steep flanks ˃6.4° Greater details of these are to be found in Annex 5.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 2(g) and Annex 5.
Significant Adverse Impacts (SAIs)	The term “significant adverse impacts” (SAIs) has the same meaning and characteristics as those described in paragraphs 17-20 of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 2(f).
New Bottom Fishing Area	All areas within the Regulatory Area which are not defined as existing bottom fishing areas. Only exploratory bottom fisheries can take place in new bottom fishing areas, and these are subject to various restrictive conditions. The conditions include a pre-assessment of the proposed activities, observers on board and an encounter protocol. Proposed exploratory bottom fisheries can only commence after having been assessed by PECMAS and approved by the Commission.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Articles 2(e), 6 and 7.
Existing Bottom Fishing Area	The term "existing bottom fishing areas" means the portion of the Regulatory Area where bottom fishing has historically occurred, based on information concerning bottom fishing activities in the period 1987-2007. Areas where the Commission decides to authorise new bottom fishing activities based upon the results of exploratory fisheries conducted in the previous two years are also defined as “existing bottom fishing areas”.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Articles 2(c), 4 and 6(8).
Bottom Fishing Activities	The term “bottom fishing activities” means the use of fishing gear that is likely to contact the seafloor during the normal course of fishing operations.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 2(a).
Encounter	The term “encounter” means catch of vulnerable marine ecosystem indicator species above threshold levels set out in Article 9. If an encounter is discovered in connection with the hauling of a trawl gear, the fishing vessel shall cease fishing and move out of an area defined as a 2 nautical mile wide band (polygon) on both sides of the “track” of the trawl haul during which an encounter occurred. The “track” is defined as the line joining consecutive VMS positions, supplemented by more exact information, between the start and the end of the tow, extended by 2 nautical miles at both ends; If an encounter is discovered in connection with other bottom fishing gears the fishing vessel shall cease fishing and move away at least 2 nautical miles from the position that the evidence suggests is closest to the exact encounter location. The master shall use his or her best judgment based on all available sources of information; and The master shall report the incident, including the “track” or position, without delay to its flag state, which shall forward the information to the Secretary immediately. Contracting Parties may if they so wish also require their vessels to report the incident directly to the Secretary. The Secretary shall immediately inform all Contracting Parties, and ICES, and shall at the same time implement a temporary closure in the areas identified. PECMAS shall examine the temporary closure, and any relevant ICES advice, at its next meeting or by correspondence. If, on the basis of assessment by ICES, PECMAS advises that the area has or is likely to have a VME, the Secretary shall request Contracting Parties to maintain the temporary closure until such time that the Commission has acted upon the advice from PECMAS. If the PECMAS evaluation does not conclude that the temporary closed area has or is likely to have a VME, the Secretary shall inform Contracting Parties which may re-open the area to their fishing vessels.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 2(b) and 8.
Threshold	An encounter with a possible VME is defined as: (a) for a trawl tow, and other fishing gear than longlines: the presence of more than 30 kg of live coral and/or 400 kg of live sponge of VME indicators; and (b) for a longline set: the presence of VME indicators on 10 hooks per caught per 1000 hook segment or per 1200 m section of long line, whichever is the shorter.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 9.
Area closure for the protection of VMEs	Area closures for the protection of VMEs are areas where bottom fishing activities, including exploratory bottom fisheries, are prohibited. Area closures for the protection of VMEs in the Regulatory Area shall be based on advice by ICES and on the procedures set out in recommendations regulating fishing activities in the Regulatory Area.	NEAFC. 2014. Recommendation 19:2014. Article 5.

North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
Term	Definition	Source
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME)	Each Participating State, using the best information available, is to decide which species or areas are to be categorized as VMEs, identify areas where VMEs are known or likely to occur, and assess whether individual bottom fishing activities would have SAIs on such VMEs or marine species. The results of these tasks are to be submitted to and reviewed by the Scientific Working Group with a view to reaching a common understanding among the Participating States. The following list of characteristics is used as criteria in the identification of VMEs. Uniqueness or rarity - an area or ecosystem that is unique or that contains rare species whose loss could not be compensated for by other similar areas. These include: Habitats that contain endemic species; Habitats of rare, threatened or endangered species that occur in discrete areas; Nurseries or discrete feeding, breeding, or spawning areas Functional significance of the habitat – discrete areas or habitats that are necessary for the survival, function, spawning/reproduction or recovery of fish stocks, articular life-history stages (e.g. nursery grounds or rearing areas), or of rare, threatened or endangered marine species. Fragility – an ecosystem that is highly susceptible to degradation by anthropogenic activities. Life-history traits of component species that make recovery difficult – ecosystems that are characterized by populations or assemblages of species with one or more of the following characteristics: Slow growth rates Late age of maturity Low or unpredictable recruitment Long-lived Structural complexity – an ecosystem that is characterized by complex physical structures created by significant concentrations of biotic and abiotic features. In these ecosystems, ecological processes are usually highly dependent on these structured systems. Further, such ecosystems often have high diversity, which is dependent on the structuring organisms.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 3(3).
Significant Adverse Impacts (SAIs)	Significant adverse impacts are those that compromise ecosystem integrity (i.e., ecosystem structure or function) in a manner that: (i) impairs the ability of affected populations to replace themselves; (ii) degrades the long-term natural productivity of habitats; or (iii) causes, on more than a temporary basis, significant loss of species richness, habitat or community types. Impacts are to be evaluated individually, in combination and cumulatively. When determining the scale and significance of an impact, the following six factors are to be considered: The intensity or severity of the impact at the specific site being affected; The spatial extent of the impact relative to the availability of the habitat type affected; The sensitivity/vulnerability of the ecosystem to the impact; The ability of an ecosystem to recover from harm, and the rate of such recovery; The extent to which ecosystem functions may be altered by the impact; and The timing and duration of the impact relative to the period in which a species needs the habitat during one or more life-history stages.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 5(1).
Temporary Impacts	Temporary impacts are those that are limited in duration and that allow the particular ecosystem to recover over an acceptable timeframe. Such timeframes are to be decided on a case-by-case basis and be on the order of 5-20 years, taking into account the specific features of the populations and ecosystems. In determining whether an impact is temporary, both the duration and the frequency with which an impact is repeated is to be considered. If the interval between the expected disturbances of a habitat is shorter than the recovery time, the impact is to be considered more than temporary.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 5(3).
New Fishing Areas	Any place other than the fished seamounts above is to be regarded as a new fishing area. If a Participating State is considering fishing in a new fishing area, such fishing is to be subject to, in addition to these standards and criteria, an exploratory fisheries protocol to be developed separately.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 4(2).
Bottom Fisheries	For the purpose of applying the standards and criteria (for identification of VMEs and assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species), the bottom fisheries are defined as follows: The fisheries are conducted in the Area; The total catch (everything brought up by the fishing gear) includes species that can only sustain low exploitation rates; and The fishing gear is likely to contact the seafloor during the normal course of fishing operations.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 2(2).
Seamount Fishing Areas	The voluntary interim measures restrict bottom fishing “… by limiting such bottom fisheries to seamounts located south of 45 degrees north latitude.	NPFC. 2009. New Mechanisms for Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Sustainable Management of High Seas Bottom Fisheries in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Paragraph 4(B).
Fished Seamounts	As of October 2008, the following seamounts have been identified as fished seamounts: Suiko, [Showa], Youmei, Nintoku, Jingu, Ojin, Northern Koko, Koko, Kinmei, Yuryaku, Kammu, Colahan, and C-H.	NPFC. 2009. “Science-based Standards and Criteria for Identification of VME and Assessment of Significant Adverse Impacts on VMEs and Marine Species”. Paragraph 4(1a).
Areas Requiring Assessment	The voluntary interim measures restrict bottom fishing to “Ensure that no vessels engage in bottom fishing until such assessments have been carried out [from 119(a)], the determination called for in subparagraph (c) of this paragraph has been rendered and, where appropriate, managements measures have been implemented in accordance with the advice and recommendations of the SWG; [General obligation of UNGA and FAO]”	NPFC. 2010. Interim Measures for Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. Attachment 4. Paragraph 4(e). IN. Record of the 10th Multilateral Meeting on Management of High Seas Fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean.
Prohibited Bottom Fishing (provisional) areas	The voluntary interim measures restrict bottom fishing by “Not allow bottom fisheries to expand into areas of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean where no such fishing is currently occurring, in particular, by limiting such bottom fisheries to seamounts located south of 45 degrees north latitude and to provisionally prohibit bottom fisheries in other areas of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean covered by these measures.”	NPFC. 2009. New Mechanisms for Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and Sustainable Management of High Seas Bottom Fisheries in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Paragraph 4(B).

South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO)
Term	Definition	Source
New Bottom Fishing Area	The term “new bottom fishing areas” means all other areas within the Convention Area that are not defined as existing bottom fishing areas. Fisheries conducted in new bottom fishing areas are regarded as “exploratory fisheries”.	SEAFO. 2013. Conservation Measure 26/13 on Bottom Fishing Activities in the SEAFO Convention Area. Article 1. Paragraph 3.
Existing Bottom Fishing Area	The term “existing bottom fishing areas” initially means areas where VMS data and/or other available geo-reference data indicating bottom fishing activities have been conducted within a reference period of 1987 to July 2011. This shall be revised regularly in accordance with Article 2.4. A composite map of existing bottom fishing areas is contained in Annex 1, and coordinates thereof, are provided in Annex 2 and Annex 3. (see also SEAFO: Existing bottom fishing areas (set longlines))	SEAFO. 2013. Conservation Measure 26/13 on Bottom Fishing Activities in the SEAFO Convention Area. Article 1. Paragraph 2.
Existing Bottom Fishing Areas (set longlines)	Existing bottom fishing areas defined in Annex 2 are not subject to any gear restrictions; however, areas defined in Annex 3 pertain to the use of set longlines only. (see SEAFO: Existing bottom fishing areas)	SEAFO. 2013. Conservation Measure 26/13 on Bottom Fishing Activities in the SEAFO Convention Area. Article 1. Paragraph 23.
Encounter	An encounter is defined to be, above threshold levels as set out in Paragraph 4, with indicator species of coral identified as antipatharians, gorgonians, cerianthid anemone fields, lophelia, and sea pen fields or other VME elements.	SEAFO. 2013. Conservation Measure 26/13 on Bottom Fishing Activities in the SEAFO Convention Area. Annex 6(1).
Closed Areas	Closed Areas. In the case where an existing bottom fishing areas square would overlap with a closed area, the existing bottom fishing areas square would be deemed as closed.	SEAFO. 2010. Conservation Measure 18/10 on Management of Vulnerable Deep Water Habitats and Ecosystems. Paragraph 1 and Annex 1.

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO)
Term	Definition	Source
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME)	For the purposes of this Conservation and Management Measure, the term ‘vulnerable marine ecosystem’ (VME) means a marine ecosystem that has the characteristics referred to in paragraph 42 and elaborated in the Annex of the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas (FAO, 2009; FAO Deep-sea Fisheries Guidelines).	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 3.
VME evidence of encounter	Require vessels flying their flag to cease bottom fishing activities within five (5) nautical miles of any site in the Convention Area where evidence of a VME is encountered above threshold levels established under sub-paragraph (f) in the course of fishing operations, and to report the encounter to the Secretariat of the Commission in accordance with the guidelines at Annex 1, so that appropriate action can be taken in respect of the relevant site.	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 8(g).
Bottom Fishing	For the purposes of this Conservation and Management Measure, the term ‘bottom fishing’ is defined as fishing using any gear type likely to come in contact with the seafloor or benthic organisms during the normal course of operations.	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 4.
Bottom Fishing Footprint	For the purpose of this Conservation and Management Measure, the term ‘bottom fishing footprint’ means a map of the spatial extent and distribution of historical bottom fishing in the Convention Area of all vessels flagged to a particular Member or CNCP over the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006. In respect of bottom fisheries, Members and CNCPs agree to: Except as provided for in paragraphs 16 to 20 below, restrict bottom fishing to within the bottom fishing footprint of that Member or CNCP established in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 6.
Closed Fishery	Members shall require that vessels flying their flag prohibit the use of large‐scale pelagic driftnets and all deepwater gillnets in the Convention Area.	SPRFMO. 2013. CMM 1.02. Conservation and management measure for Gillnets in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 1.
Area Closed to Bottom Fishing	Subject to paragraph 8(h) of this CMM, in respect of areas where VMEs are known to occur or are likely to occur based on the best available scientific information, the Commission shall close such areas to bottom fishing by a particular gear type or types, drawing on advice from the Scientific Committee provided under paragraph 5, unless, based on an assessment undertaken in accordance with either paragraphs 10 to 15 or paragraphs 16 to 19 above, the Commission determines that such bottom fishing will not have significant adverse impacts on VMEs.	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 22.
Area Closed to Bottom Fishing (by member)	Notwithstanding sub-paragraphs (d) and (g) above, a Member or a CNCP may exclude part of its bottom fishing footprint from the application of sub-paragraph (g) by dividing its footprint into areas open to bottom fishing, areas closed to bottom fishing and areas to which sub-paragraph (g) would apply. These exclusions must have the purpose of preventing significant adverse impacts to VMEs.	SPRFMO. 2014. CMM 2.03. Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area. Paragraph 8(h).