2020 No. 152
The Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
Made
Coming into operation
1966 c.17, Section 124 was substituted by S.I. 1981/227 (N.I.7), Article 6 and amended by S.I. 2002/790, Article 6 and 2001 c. 4 (N.I.), section 1
Citation and commencement1
These Regulations may be cited as the Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 and shall come into operation on 22nd August 2020.
Interpretation2
In these Regulations—
“the Act” means the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966;
“berried edible crab” means a female edible crab which is bearing eggs;
“edible crab” means crab of the species Cancer pagurus;
F1“foreign fishing boat” has the same meaning as in the Fisheries Act 2020 (see section 52 of that Act);
“size” means the maximum width of the carapace measured perpendicular to the antero-posterior midline of the carapace and shall be measured as shown in the Schedule to these Regulations;
F5““soft-shelled edible crab” means an edible crab which has recently cast its shell;”
“stock cage” means a containment device used to store crabs at sea or in the waters of a port or harbour.
Edible crabs3
1
Where an edible crab less than F6150mm in size is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
2
The retention of an edible crab less than F7150mm in size in a stock cage is prohibited.
Berried edible crabs4
1
The retention on board a sea-fishing boat, the bringing to land or the landing of a berried edible crab is prohibited.
2
Where a berried edible crab is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
3
The removal of eggs from a berried edible crab is prohibited.
4
The retention of a berried edible crab in a stock cage is prohibited.
F3Detached crab claws4A
The retention on board, the bringing to land on or the landing from a sea-fishing boat of a detached edible crab claw is prohibited.
F4Soft-shelled edible crab4B
1
The retention on board a sea-fishing boat, the bringing to land, the landing, having in possession, selling, exposing for sale, buying for sale, or consigning to any person for the purpose of sale, of a soft-shelled edible crab is prohibited.
2
Where a soft-shelled edible crab is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
F2Exemptions5
1
The obligations and prohibitions imposed by regulations F83,4,4A and 4B do not apply to any person operating under the authority of, and in accordance with a permit granted under, section 14 of the Act.
2
The obligations and prohibitions imposed by regulations F93,4,4A and 4B do not apply in relation to sea-fish caught by a foreign fishing boat in waters lying outside British fishery limits.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 22nd July 2020.
Formerly the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland; see S.I. 1999/283 (N.I.1), Art 3(4); and 2016 c. 5 (N.I.), Article 1(2).