Artikel 9

1. The present Protocol shall remain open for signature at the Headquarters of the Organization from 1 July 1993 until 30 June 1994 and shall thereafter remain open for accession. All States may become Parties to the present Protocol by:
a) signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or
b) signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval; or
c) accession.
2. Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument to that effect with the Secretary-General.
3. Each State which has either signed the present Protocol without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval or has deposited the requisite instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in accordance with this article shall transmit to the Secretary-General, at the time of deposit of the above instrument and by the end of each year, information on the aggregate number of fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over entitled to fly the flag of that State.