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09/06/2008
Crabs In 'Fine' Form As Protection Enhanced
Ulster's crustaceans are to get better protection - with heavy fines on anyone flouting the new legislation.
The NI Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has introduced new legislation to improve the management and conservation of crabs and lobsters in local inshore waters.
The Unlicensed Fishing for Crabs and Lobster Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, which came into effect on 31 May, aims to tackle concerns over the increase in commercial fishing without a licence.
The new regulations, which compliment existing measures aimed at conserving crabs and lobsters, set the level of fishing that can reasonably be described as "for personal use". Fishing in excess of this amount without a shellfish licence is now an offence.
They place limits on unlicensed fishing such as no more than five crabs and one lobster may be landed (or retained on board) per boat per day; no more than five pots may be fished; any marker buoys or similar floats used to indicate the location of the pots must be legibly and indelibly marked with either the name of the boat or the name of the owner of the boat from which the pots are set; and use of a stock cage/box is prohibited.
Fishermen are also being reminded that any crabs or lobsters which are under minimum landing sizes must be returned to the sea.
These are, spider crabs under 120 mm (female) and 130 mm (male); velvet crabs under 65 mm; brown crabs under 130 mm; and lobster under 87 mm carapace length.
In addition, breeding lobsters that have been "V-notched" are protected and any V notched lobster or lobster with a mutilated tail must be returned to the sea.
A V notch is a marking in the shape of the letter "V" with a depth of at least 5mm cut into at least one of the inner uropods of the tail fan of any lobster, with the apex of the letter V positioned inward from the edge of the flap.
If the lobster is mutilated in such a way as to obscure a possible V notch in its tail then it must be returned to the sea.
Failure to observe any of these regulations could result in a fine of up to £5,000 and possible forfeiture of gear.
(BMcC)
The NI Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has introduced new legislation to improve the management and conservation of crabs and lobsters in local inshore waters.
The Unlicensed Fishing for Crabs and Lobster Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, which came into effect on 31 May, aims to tackle concerns over the increase in commercial fishing without a licence.
The new regulations, which compliment existing measures aimed at conserving crabs and lobsters, set the level of fishing that can reasonably be described as "for personal use". Fishing in excess of this amount without a shellfish licence is now an offence.
They place limits on unlicensed fishing such as no more than five crabs and one lobster may be landed (or retained on board) per boat per day; no more than five pots may be fished; any marker buoys or similar floats used to indicate the location of the pots must be legibly and indelibly marked with either the name of the boat or the name of the owner of the boat from which the pots are set; and use of a stock cage/box is prohibited.
Fishermen are also being reminded that any crabs or lobsters which are under minimum landing sizes must be returned to the sea.
These are, spider crabs under 120 mm (female) and 130 mm (male); velvet crabs under 65 mm; brown crabs under 130 mm; and lobster under 87 mm carapace length.
In addition, breeding lobsters that have been "V-notched" are protected and any V notched lobster or lobster with a mutilated tail must be returned to the sea.
A V notch is a marking in the shape of the letter "V" with a depth of at least 5mm cut into at least one of the inner uropods of the tail fan of any lobster, with the apex of the letter V positioned inward from the edge of the flap.
If the lobster is mutilated in such a way as to obscure a possible V notch in its tail then it must be returned to the sea.
Failure to observe any of these regulations could result in a fine of up to £5,000 and possible forfeiture of gear.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear intervals and occasional wintry showers this evening with local fresh snowfalls and some ice. Overnight as winds ease showers will die back to northern coastal areas. Frosty. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
