The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

2022 No. 292

Sea Fisheries

The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022

Made

1st November 2022

Coming into operation-

1st January 2023

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs(1), in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 19(1) and 124(1), (2) and (2A) of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966(2), makes the following Regulations.

Citation and commencement N.I.

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 and come into operation on 1st January 2023.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Interpretation N.I.

2.  In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966;

“Carlingford Lough Marine Conservation Zone” means the areas of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 1, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence.

“co-ordinate” means a co-ordinate on the World Geodetic System 1984 Datum and co-ordinate reference system(3);

“demersal mobile gear” means any fishing gear that is towed along the sea bed or is otherwise moved through the water on or close to the sea bed to catch fish, and includes, for example, a dredge, demersal seine net and demersal trawl net;

“demersal seine net” means a fishing gear assembly incorporating a conical shaped net and ropes, constructed to catch fish by the method of encirclement, and which is towed along the sea bed by a fishing boat;

“demersal trawl net” means a fishing gear assembly incorporating a conical shaped net, ropes and devices to hold open the mouth of the net, constructed to catch fish whilst being towed along the sea bed by a fishing boat;

“dredge” means a mechanical dredge or suction dredge;

“mechanical dredge” means a device with a rigid framed mouth constructed to catch shell-fish whilst being towed along the sea bed by a fishing boat;

“Murlough Bay Special Area of Conservation” means the area of the sea drawn by a line joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 2, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point,

“Outer Belfast Lough Marine Conservation Zone” means the area of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 3, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence.

“Rathlin Island restricted area” means the area of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 4A, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence.

“Rathlin Island Special Area of Conservation and Marine Conservation Zone” means the area of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 4, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence.

“Red Bay Special Area of Conservation” means the areas of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 5, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence.

“Skerries and Causeway exempted areas” means the areas of sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in each table in Schedule 6A, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence.

“Skerries and Causeway restricted area” means the area of sea south of Great Skerries Island which is bounded by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 6B, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence.

“Skerries and Causeway Special Area of Conservation” means the areas of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 6, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence.

“static gear” means any pot, creel, receptacle or container with one or more openings or entrances and which is capable of being left at sea to catch crustaceans or molluscs.

“Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone restricted area” means the areas of the sea southwest of an imaginary line drawn from Killard Point to Ballyquintin Point which is bounded by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 7, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence;

“single pot” means a pot or creel not connected to another pot or creel by a rope;

“suction dredge” means—

(a)

a dredge which raises material or shell-fish from the sea bed using a solids pump, water pump, air lift, air jets or water jets which dig into the sea bed; or

(b)

any other mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic device which raises material or shell-fish from the sea bed by means of suction or pumping;

“The Maidens Special Areas of Conservation” means the areas of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 of each table in Schedule 8, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence; and

“Waterfoot Marine Conservation Zone” means the area of the sea drawn by a series of straight lines joining each of the points lettered alphabetically in column 1 in Schedule 9, the coordinates which are set out in columns 2 and 3 opposite each point, to the next point in sequence, with a line drawn joining the final point in the sequence to the point lettered A in the sequence.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Prohibited methods of fishing N.I.

3.—(1) Subject to regulation 4 fishing for sea-fish using demersal mobile gear is prohibited in—

(a) Carlingford Lough Marine Conservation Zone;

(b) Murlough Special Area of Conservation;

(c) Outer Belfast Lough Marine Conservation Zone;

(d) Rathlin Island Special Area of Conservation and Marine Conservation Zone;

(e) Red Bay Special Area of Conservation;

(f) Skerries and Causeway Special Area of Conservation;

(g) Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone F1 ...;

(h) The Maidens Special Areas of Conservation; and

(i) Waterfoot Marine Conservation Zone.

(2) Subject to regulation 4 fishing for sea-fish using static gear is prohibited in—

(a) Rathlin Island restricted area;

(b) Red Bay Special Area of Conservation at a depth of 10 metres or more below Chart Datum as shown on the Admiralty Chart(4);

(c) Skerries and Causeway restricted area; and

(d) Waterfoot Marine Conservation Zone.

(3) Where a fishing vessel is transiting any of the areas where the prohibitions in regulation 3(1) apply the person in charge of the fishing vessel must ensure that all demersal mobile gear is secured and stowed so that the gear may not be readily used.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 3(1)(g) deleted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(2)

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Exceptions N.I.

4.—(1) The prohibitions in regulation 3 do not apply to any person who is operating within any of those areas under the authority of and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted under section 14 of the Act.

(2) The prohibition in regulation 3(1)(f) does not apply where a licence has been granted in respect of a fishing vessel under section 15 of the Fisheries Act 2020(5) to fish using demersal mobile gear in the Skerries and Causeway exempted areas.

(3) The prohibition in regulation 3(2)(a) does not apply to any person fishing with single pots at a depth of less than 10 [F2 metres] below Chart Datum as shown on the Admiralty Chart(6).

Textual Amendments

F2 Word in reg. 4(3) inserted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(3)

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Revocation N.I.

5.  The following regulations are revoked—

(a) The Razor Shells (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998(7)

(b) The Rathlin Island (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016(8).

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 1st November 2022

Owen Lyttle

A senior officer of the

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

SCHEDULES

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 1 N.I. Carlingford Lough Marine Conservation Zone

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 1 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	54° 5.763’N	6° 14.862’W
B.	54° 5.754’N	6° 13.471’W
C.	54° 5.265’N	6° 11.535’W
D.	54° 5.053’N	6° 11.492’W
E.	54° 4.653’N	6° 12.192’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 2 N.I. Murlough Bay Special Area of Conservation

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 2 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	54° 13.472’N	005° 39.547’W
B.	54° 07.240’N	005° 52.969’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 3 N.I. Outer Belfast Lough Marine Conservation Zone

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 3 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	54° 42.711’N	5° 36.670’W
B.	54° 42.707’N	5° 34.734’W
C.	54° 42.315’N	5° 34.733’W
D.	54° 42.316’N	5° 35.203’W
E.	54° 41.978’N	5° 35.203’W
F.	54° 41.979’N	5° 36.672’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 4 N.I. Rathlin Island Special Area of Conservation and Marine Conservation Zone

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 4 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 22.849’N	006° 10.894’W
B.	55° 18.672’N	006° 07.220’W
C.	55° 17.529’N	006° 07.256’W
D.	55° 17.579’N	006° 09.599’W
E.	55° 15.215’N	006° 09.714’W
F.	55° 15.277’N	006° 13.880’W
G	55° 17.044’N	006° 13.808’W
H	55° 17.104’N	006° 18.060’W
I	55° 20.764’N	006° 17.906’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 4A N.I. Rathlin Island restricted area

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 4A in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 17.50224’N	006° 14.9902’W
B.	55° 17.46768’N	006° 14.991’W
C.	55° 17.2701’N	006° 15.0012’W
D.	55° 17.2815’N	006° 15.6948’W
E.	55° 17.36214’N	006° 15.6912’W
F.	55° 17.40138’N	006° 15.6893’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 5 N.I. Red Bay Special Area of Conservation

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 5 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 08.440’N	[F3 006° 01.492’W]
B.	55° 08.440’N	[F4 006° 00.516’W]
C.	[F5 55° 05.450’N]	[F6 006° 00.516’W]
D.	55° 05.450’N	[F7 006° 02.816’W]

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(4)(a)

F4 Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(4)(b)

F5 Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(4)(c)

F6 Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(4)(d)

F7 Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(4)(e)

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 6 N.I. Skerries and Causeway Special Area of Conservation

Commencement Information

I12 Sch. 6 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 11.300’N	006° 43.269’W
B.	55° 11.300’N	006° 44.200’W
C.	[F8 55° 13.540’N]	006° 44.200’W
D.	55° 17.000’N	006° 36.930’W
E.	55° 17.000’N	[F9 006° 26.920’W]
F.	55° 14.360’N	006° 26.920’W

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in Sch. 6 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(5)(a)

F9 Words in Sch. 6 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(5)(b)

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 6A N.I. Skerries and Causeway exempted areas

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 6A in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Area 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 14.064’N	006° 36.968’W
B.	55° 13.740’N	006° 36.016’W
C.	55° 13.623’N	006° 36.004’W
D.	55° 13.546’N	006° 38.546’W
E.	55° 13.221’N	006° 39.805’W
F.	55° 12.998’N	006° 39.977’W
G.	55° 13.573’N	006° 40.079’W
H.	55° 13.584’N	006° 39.080’W
I.	55° 13.692’N	006° 38.854’W
J.	55° 13.801’N	006° 38.848’W

Area 2

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 17.001’N	006° 35.862’W
B.	55° 16.858’N	006° 29.041’W
C.	55° 16.497N	006° 31.064’W
D.	55° 15.655’N	006° 33.760’W
E.	55° 15.412’N	006° 33.529’W
F.	55° 15.000’N	006° 35.146’W
G	55° 14.853’N	006° 36.040’W
H	55° 15.100’N	006° 36.044’W
I	55° 15.214’N	006° 36.949’W
J	55° 15.393’N	006° 37.524’W
K	55° 15.391’N	006° 36.977’W
L	55° 16.589’N	006° 35.266’W
M	55° 16.814’N	006° 35.274’W
N	55° 16.771’N	006° 36.430’W
O	55° 17.006’N	006° 35.869’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 6B N.I. Skerries and Causeway restricted area

Commencement Information

I14 Sch. 6B in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 13.308’N	006° 37.481’W
B.	55° 13.286’N	006° 38.230’W
C.	55° 13.363’N	006° 38.235’W
D.	55° 13.369’N	006° 37.477’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 7 N.I. Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 7 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	54° 23.122’N	005° 27.589’W
B.	54° 23.041’N	005° 27.404’W
C.	54° 22.211’N	005° 27.589’W
D.	54° 19.681’N	005° 29.119’W
E.	54° 16.517’N	005° 33.385’W
F.	54° 16.518’N	005° 34.478’W

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 8 N.I. The Maidens Special Areas of Conservation

Commencement Information

I16 Sch. 8 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

[F10 Area 1]

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 01.160’N	005° 42.600’W
B.	54° 59.560’N	005° 41.140’W
C.	54° 59.060’N	005° 43.630’W
D.	55° 00.650’N	005° 45.090’W

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in Sch. 8 substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(6)

Area 2

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	54° 57.900’N	005° 39.210’W
B.	54° 57.000’N	005° 39.150’W
C.	54° 56.990’N	005° 40.180’W
D.	54° 57.870’N	005° 40.240’W

Area 3

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 00.330’N	005° 47.060’W
B.	54° 58.080’N	[F11 005° 45.010’W]
C.	54° 57.250’N	[F12 005° 42.250’W]
D.	54° 54.100’N	005° 42.040’W
E	54° 54.150’N	005° 44.290’W
F	54° 51.990’N	005° 44.150’W
G	54° 53.610’N	005° 47.910’W
H	55° 00.120’N	005° 48.360’W

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in Sch. 8(B) substituted (15.10.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/135), regs. 1, 2(2)(a)

F12 Words in Sch. 8(C) substituted (15.10.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/135), regs. 1, 2(2)(b)

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 9 N.I. [F13 Waterfoot ] Marine Conservation Zone

Textual Amendments

F13 Word in Sch. 9 heading substituted (1.1.2023) by The Marine Protected Areas (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/303), regs. 1, 2(7)

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 9 in operation at 1.1.2023, see reg. 1

Points	Latitude	Longitude
A.	55° 04.260’N	006° 03.151’W
B.	55° 04.261’N	006° 03.038’W
C.	55° 04.015’N	006° 02.950’W
D.	55° 03.582’N	006° 02.243’W
E.	55° 03.384’N	006° 02.215’W
F.	55° 03.312’N	006° 02.631’W
G.	55° 03.780’N	006° 03.283’W
H.	55° 03.936’N	006° 03.058’W

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations prohibit fishing for sea-fish by demersal mobile and static fishing gear in the waters in a number of marine protected areas which were designated under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 and the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013.

Regulation 3 prohibits fishing within the respective marine protected areas using demersal fishing gear and static fishing gear.

Regulation 4 provides for exceptions to the prohibitions in regulation 3.

Regulation 5 revokes some Statutory Rules as a consequence of the Regulations.

Contravention of these Regulations is an offence under section 124(3) of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).

(1)

The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland was renamed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development by Article 3(4) of S.I. 1999/283 and renamed the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in 2016 (c. 5 (N.I.)), section 1(2).

(2)

1966 c.17 (N.I.); Section 124 was substituted by S.I. 1981/227 (N.I.7), Article 6, and relevant amendments were made by 2001 c.4 (N.I.) section 1 and S.I. 2002/790, Article 6(2). There is another amendment but it is not relevant.

(3)

Definitions of World Geodetic System 1984 Datum and co-ordinate reference system are available via EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry as EPSG:6326 (http://epsg.io/6326-datum) and EPSG:4326 (http://epsg.io/4326) respectively.

(4)

see Admiralty Chart 2198 published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

(5)

2020 c.22

(6)

see Admiralty Chart 2494 published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

(7)

S.R. 1998 No. 414 as amended by S.R. 2000 No. 157

(8)

S.R.2016 No. 408