The Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs M1 makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 124(1) and (2) of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 M2.
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;
F2““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 F3150mm 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 F4150mm 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.
F5Detached 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.
F6Soft-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.
F7Exemptions5.
(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.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
SCHEDULEMEASUREMENT OF THE SIZE OF AN EDIBLE CRAB
Carapace width
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations provide for obligations and prohibitions in relation to edible crabs less than 140mm in size and berried edible crabs in Northern Ireland.
Regulation 3 requires an edible crab less than 140mm in size brought on board a sea-fishing boat to be immediately returned to the sea and prohibits the retention of an edible crab less than 140mm in size in a stock cage.
In relation to berried edible crabs, regulation 4 prohibits their retention on board a sea-fishing boat, bringing to land, landing, retention in a stock cage or the removal of their eggs. Regulation 4 also requires a berried edible crab brought on board a sea-fishing boat to be immediately returned to the sea.
Regulation 5 of these Regulations provides for an exemption for foreign fishing boats or a person granted a permit under section 14 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.