
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Salmon Drift Net Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 and come into operation on 1st March 2014.
2 
In these Regulations—
 “drift net” means a net consisting of a single sheet or wall of netting loosely hung on cork and sole ropes;
 “drift net licence” means a fishing licence authorising the use of drift nets for the taking of salmon in the sea.
3 
Subject to regulation 4, the use of drift nets for fishing for salmon is prohibited.
4 

(1) The Department may issue a drift net licence for salmon fishing only if it decides that such fishing is not likely to have an adverse impact on:
(a) a Special Area of Conservation as defined under the Habitats Directive  or;
(b) any rivers which are not meeting such salmon management targets as may be determined and published by the Department.
(2) Where the Department so decides, then, subject to paragraph (3), first preference shall be given to a person who has held a drift net licence in any one of the 3 calendar years immediately preceding the coming into operation of these Regulations.
(3) A person mentioned in paragraph (2) may by written notice given to the Department, nominate another person in his place.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on 21st January 2014.
(L.S.)C. Smith
A senior officer of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
