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Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

Terminology describing marine areas

British Fishery Limits

30.British fishery limits currently extend 200 nm from the baseline. Similar to the apportioning of the territorial seas, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own areas within the British fishery limits, known as the Scottish and Northern Ireland Zones. The Northern Ireland Zone is defined as being the sea within British fishery limits which is adjacent to Northern Ireland. This may be thought of as being the area of British fishery limits lying between the territorial sea around Northern Ireland and that of the Isle of Man. The Act amends the definition of British fishery limits in the Fishery Limits Act 1976 by reference to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to be designated under Part 2.

31.The Scottish Zone is defined as that part of the sea within the British fishery limits established under the Fishery Limits Act 1976 which is adjacent to Scotland. The boundaries of both the Northern Ireland Zone and the Scottish Zone are defined by Order in Council.

32.This Act also includes provision for the designation of a Welsh Zone for fisheries matters. This will be defined by Order in Council but may be thought of as comprising that part of the sea within British fishery limits which is adjacent to Wales.

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