The Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls Order 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order revokes and re-enacts with amendments the Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/650) in relation to England. S.I. 2001/650 continues to apply insofar as it forms part of the law of Northern Ireland.

The Order prohibits fishing with any net other than a single trawl. The prohibition applies to a relevant British fishing boat wherever it may be and to any Scottish or Northern Ireland fishing boat which is within relevant British fishery limits (article 3(1)). The prohibition does not apply to beam trawlers, to fishing in certain areas with a net having a specified mesh size of not less than 80 millimetres or to fishing in any area with a net having a mesh size of 95 millimetres or more (article 3(2)). The prohibition in the previous Order did not provide an exemption for a mesh size between 95 and 100 millimetres.

Multiple trawls may be used in the Fladen area and three other specified areas provided they have a minimum mesh size of 80 millimetres (articles 2(1) and 3(2)(b)).

British Sea Fishery officers are given certain powers for the purpose of the enforcement of the Order (article 4).

Offences are prescribed by sections 5(1) of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (c. 84) and penalties by section 11 of that Act, as amended by section 24(1) of the Fisheries Act 1981 (c. 29).

The Order does not form part of the law of Scotland or Northern Ireland. It does not apply to fishing activities within the territorial sea of Wales, Isle of Man or Jersey or the sea adjacent to Guernsey (article 2(2) and Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967, section 22 as amended by S.I. 1999/1820).