
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Lobster (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and shall come into operation on 28th April 1997.
2 
In these Regulations—
 “the Act” means the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966;
 “flap” in relation to the tail from a lobster means any part of the five flaps of the tail fan of any lobster including the telson with anus and left and right uropod each uropod containing two flaps;
 “lobster” means lobster of the species Homarus gammarus;
 “mutilated lobster” means a lobster which has been mutilated in such a manner which could hide or obliterate a V notch;
 “V notch” in relation to a lobster means a marking in the shape of the letter “V” with a depth of at least 5mm cut (for the purposes of identification of particular lobsters) into one or more of the five flaps of the tail fan of any berried or sexually mature female lobster, with the apex of the V positioned inward from the edge of the flap.
3 
Subject to regulation 4—
(a) the retention on board a sea fishing boat of a mutilated lobster or V notched lobster is prohibited;
(b) a mutilated lobster or V notched lobster taken by a sea fishing boat shall be carefully handled and returned alive to the sea forthwith.
4 
The prohibition contained in regulation 3 shall not apply to any person who is not a British citizen or to any person who is operating under the authority of and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a fish culture licence granted under section 11 of the Act or a permit granted under section 14 of the Act.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland on
G. Lavery
Assistant Secretary
14th March 1997.