5.—(1) The Scottish Ministers may, following written application to them, issue a permit authorising any of the following activities which would, apart from any such permit, be unlawful under this Order:—
(a)to deploy or use any fishing gear, passive gear, pelagic trawl, rod and line, or handline; and
(b)to fish by hand,
for the purpose of scientific research.
(2) The Scottish Ministers must not issue a permit unless they are satisfied that there is no significant risk of the activity hindering the achievement of the stated conservation objectives for the South Arran MPA.
(3) In this article “fishing gear”, “passive gear”, “pelagic trawl”, “handline” and “fish by hand” have the same meanings as in article 4(11).