The Northern Ireland inshore region
2.—(1) In this Act the “Northern Ireland inshore region” means the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland, including the bed and subsoil of the sea within that area.
(2) In this Act “sea” includes—
(a)any area submerged at mean high water spring tide,
(b)the waters of every estuary, river or channel, so far as the tide flows at mean high water spring tide.
(3) The area of sea referred to in subsection (2)(a) includes waters in any area—
(a)which is closed, whether permanently or intermittently, by a lock or other artificial means against the regular action of the tide, but
(b)into which seawater is caused or permitted to flow, whether continuously or from time to time, and
(c)from which seawater is caused or permitted to flow, whether continuously or from time to time.
(4) In relation to Part 3, subsections (1) to (3) are subject to section 13(2).
(5) The boundaries between the parts of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland and the parts not so adjacent are to be determined by reference to an Order in Council under section 98(8) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 if, or to the extent that, the Order in Council is expressed to apply—
(a)for the purposes of this Act, or
(b)if no such provision has been made, for the general or residual purposes of that Act.