The Sole, etc. (Specified Sea Areas) (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 1997

Prohibition and Exception

2.—(1) Fishing is prohibited—

(a) by any British fishing boat registered in the United Kingdom within any part of a sea area; or

(b) by any other British fishing boat within any part of a sea area which lies within British fishery limits(1)

for the species specified in paragraph (2) below, in the sea areas and during the periods also specified in that paragraph.

(2) The species, sea areas and periods specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) above are—

(a) sole (Solea solea) in sea areas ICES Statistical Sub-Areas II and IV during the period beginning with the date of the coming into force of this Order and ending immediately before 22 April 1998; and

(b) (i) plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in sea areas ICES Statistical Divisions VIIh, j and k;

(ii) sole (Solea solea) in sea areas ICES Statistical Sub Areas VI, XII and XIV and ICES Statistical Divisions Vb and VIIh, j and k; or

(iii) other species in that part of sea areas ICES Statistical Sub-Area IV which lies within Norwegian fishery limits;

during the period beginning with the date of coming into force of this Order and ending immediately before 1st January 1998.

(3) The prohibition in paragraph (1) above shall not apply to any boat whose length exceeds 10 metres, except in the case of any boat when used for the purpose of conveying persons wishing to fish for pleasure.

(4) For the purpose of paragraph (2) above “other species” are all species of fish except:

• cod (Gadus morhua),

• haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus),

• whiting (Merlangius merlangus),

• saithe (Pollachius virens),

• plaice (Pleuronectes platessa),

• Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii),

• sandeels (Ammodytes tobianus),

• blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou),

• herring (Clupea harengus),

• mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and

• shrimps (Crangon vulgaris).

(1)

See section 1(1) of the Fishery Limits Act 1976 (c. 86).