This Regulation lays down general rules for the implementation by the Union of a multiannual recovery plan for swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), starting from 2017 and continuing until 2031. The objective of these provisions is to achieve a biomass of Mediterranean swordfish corresponding to MSY by 2031. The application scope includes: (a) European Union fishing vessels, and European Union vessels engaged in recreational fisheries, which catch Mediterranean swordfish or tranship or carry on board, including outside the ICCAT Convention area, Mediterranean swordfish; (b) third country fishing vessels, and third country vessels engaged in recreational fisheries, which operate in Union waters and which catch Mediterranean swordfish; (c) third country vessels which are inspected in Member States ports and which carry on board Mediterranean swordfish or fishery products originating from Mediterranean swordfish that have not been previously landed or transhipped at ports.