The Mussels (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Mussels (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and come into operation on 8^th February 2013.

Application

2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations apply in the Northern Ireland zone.

(2) These Regulations do not apply to fishing vessels within the meaning of Article 3(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy (1) which are registered in another member State.

Interpretation

3.  In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966;

“mussels” means shell-fish of the species Mytilus Edulis;

“mussel seed licence” means a licence granted by the Department under section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (2) for the collection of mussel seed.

Prohibition of fishing

4.  Subject to regulation 6, fishing for mussels other than for direct human consumption is prohibited.

Prohibition of retaining on board

5.  Subject to regulation 6, retaining mussels, other than mussels taken for direct human consumption, on board any sea-fishing boat is prohibited.

Exemptions

6.  Regulation 4 and 5 do not apply in relation to any person operating under the authority and in accordance with the terms and conditions of—

(a) a fish culture licence granted under section 11 of the Act;

(b) a permit granted under section 14 of the Act; or

(c) a mussel seed licence.

Revocation

7.  The Mussels (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (3) are revoked.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 3^rd January 2013.

John Speers

A senior officer of the

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development