Section 127(1) of the Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Act 1966 (“the 1966 Act”) prohibits the bringing to land, landing, sale or offering or exposure for sale or the possession for the purposes of sale of sea fish of a description prescribed by regulations where those fish are smaller than the minimum size so prescribed. For the purposes of this sub-section, this Order prescribes the minimum size for lobsters, male spider crabs and velvet crabs (Article 3 and Schedule 2).

Section 127(1)(A) of the 1966 Act provides that, in the case of lobsters, any possession (whether or not for the purposes of sale) of a lobster smaller than the minimum size is prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to the possession of a lobster smaller than the prescribed minimum size where that lobster has been purchased by retail in a shop.

There is an exemption in relation to foreign fishing boats (Article 4).

A person who commits an offence under section 127 of the 1966 Act, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).