This Order amends the Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (No. 2) (Scotland) Order 2000 (“the principal Order”) made under the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967. The Order forms part of the law of Scotland only.

The principal Order provides for stricter measures for the management and conservation of stocks pursuant to Article 46 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 850/98 of 30th March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (O.J. No. L 125, 27.4.98, p.1).

The Order, which is also made pursuant to Article 46 of that Regulation, substitutes a new article 3 of the principal Order (article 2). New article 3(1) prohibits fishing with any trawl other than a single trawl, subject to the exceptions set out in new article 3(2). The prohibition applies to Scottish fishing boats wherever they may be and to relevant British fishing boats within the Scottish zone (new article 3(1)).

The prohibition does not apply to fishing with two trawls where such fishing is carried out by any beam trawler (new article 3(2)(a)) or where such fishing is carried out in certain areas with trawls having a mesh size of not less than 80 millimetres (new article 3(2)(b) and (c)) or where such fishing is carried out in any area with trawls having a mesh size of 95 millimetres or more (new article 3(2)(d)).

Article 3 of the Order revokes the Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (No. 2) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2003 and the Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (No. 2) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2006.

Penalties for breaches of Orders made under the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 are provided for in that Act.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment relating to this Order has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies can be obtained from The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TW.