The Unlicensed Fishing for Crabs and Lobster Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has introduced new legislation to improve the management and conservation of crabs and lobsters in Northern Ireland inshore waters.  The new Regulations aim to tackle concerns over the increase in commercial fishing without a licence.  

The Unlicensed Fishing for Crabs and Lobster Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 apply from 31 May 2008 and set the level of fishing that can reasonably be described as “for personal use”.  Any fishing in excess of this amount without a shellfish licence is now an offence.  

If you are not a licensed fisherman it is illegal to:

• Land, bring to land or retain on board a boat more than five crabs and one lobster per boat per day;

• Use more than five pots;

• Take on board a boat pots on behalf of anyone else;

• Use a stock cage.

In addition, any marker buoys or similar floats used to indicate the location of 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.

The species covered by this legislation are Spider crabs of the species Maia squinado; Velvet crabs of the species Necora puber; Edible crabs of the species Cancer pagarus; Green crabs of the species Cancinus maenas; and Lobster of the species Homarus gammarus.

These Regulations do not apply to:

• vessels fishing outside Northern Ireland inshore waters;

• any licensed fishing vessels; or

• anyone granted a permit under Section 14 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.

Failure to observe these Regulations could result in a fine of up to £5000 and possible forfeiture of gear.

The new Regulations compliment existing measures aimed at conserving crabs and lobster.  Fishermen are reminded that any crabs or lobsters which are under the following minimum landing sizes must be returned to the sea:

• 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.  

Further information can be obtained from:

Fisheries and Rural Policy Division
Sea Fisheries Policy Branch
Room 427,
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST
BT4 3SB

Tel:  028 9052 4615
Fax: 028 9037 8323