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EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Undersized Velvet Crabs Order 1989, the Undersized Edible Crabs (Scotland) Order 2000 and the Undersized Lobsters (Scotland) Order 2000 so as to prescribe minimum sizes for the landing of velvet crabs, edible crabs and lobsters in the Outer Hebrides (articles 3, 4 and 5).

The Order also prescribes a maximum landing size for female lobsters in the Outer Hebrides (article 6).

The Order also prohibits the landing in Scotland of female lobsters with missing claws, caught in Scottish inshore waters surrounding the Outer Hebrides (article 7). These waters are shown on the illustrative map appended to this note.

The prescribed minimum and maximum landing sizes and the prohibition set out in article 7 apply only to landings from British fishing boats.

This Order is made in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 46 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 850/98 (OJ L 125, 27.4.1998, p.1) for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (“the Council Regulation”). Article 46 of the Council Regulation authorises Member States to take certain national measures for the conservation and management of local stocks.