
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 and shall come into operation on 22nd August 2020.
2 
In these Regulations—
 “the Act” means the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966;
 “berried edible crab” means a female edible crab which is bearing eggs;
 “edible crab” means crab of the species Cancer pagurus;
 “foreign fishing boat” has the same meaning as in the Fisheries Act 2020 (see section 52 of that Act);
 “size” means the maximum width of the carapace measured perpendicular to the antero-posterior midline of the carapace and shall be measured as shown in the Schedule to these Regulations;
 ““soft-shelled edible crab” means an edible crab which has recently cast its shell;”
 “stock cage” means a containment device used to store crabs at sea or in the waters of a port or harbour.
3 

(1) Where an edible crab less than  150mm  in size is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
(2) The retention of an edible crab less than  150mm  in size in a stock cage is prohibited.
4 

(1) The retention on board a sea-fishing boat, the bringing to land or the landing of a berried edible crab is prohibited.
(2) Where a berried edible crab is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
(3) The removal of eggs from a berried edible crab is prohibited.
(4) The retention of a berried edible crab in a stock cage is prohibited.
4A. 
The retention on board, the bringing to land on or the landing from a sea-fishing boat of a detached edible crab claw is prohibited.
4B. 

(1) The retention on board a sea-fishing boat, the bringing to land, the landing, having in possession, selling, exposing for sale, buying for sale, or consigning to any person for the purpose of sale, of a soft-shelled edible crab is prohibited.
(2) Where a soft-shelled edible crab is brought on board a sea-fishing boat, it must be immediately returned to sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.
5 

(1) The obligations and prohibitions imposed by regulations  3,4,4A and 4B  do not apply to any person operating under the authority of, and in accordance with a permit granted under, section 14 of the Act.
(2) The obligations and prohibitions imposed by regulations  3,4,4A and 4B  do not apply in relation to sea-fish caught by a foreign fishing boat in waters lying outside British fishery limits.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 22nd July 2020.
Claire Vincent

A senior officer of the

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

SCHEDULE

Regulation 2