Scallop closed season for Wales

[BSAC Wales SDCO]

3rd August 12
Scallop closed season for Wales

After recent reports of illegal scalloping, the Fisheries Unit for
Pembrokeshire are asking divers to be aware of the no take season.

Between the 1st May and the 31st October, it is illegal to fish for,
take or kill scallops in Welsh waters during this period.

Full details are outlined in the Welsh Scallop Order which legislates
for inside the 12 mile limit or Welsh Territorial Waters. The Order is
mainly for scallop dredgers but does also cover divers.

The main points for divers to be aware of are:-
•The closed season for scallops is 1 May to 31 October inclusive, and
the minimum landing size is 110mm, across the broadest part of the
shell.
•Regarding crustaceans; a maximum of eight shellfish can be removed
in a days fishing regardless of how many people are on board. These
limits also apply to divers removing shellfish during a dive.
•1 person on a boat can take 1 lobster or crawfish and 7 crabs
(spider / brown) = 8 shellfish.
•2 people on a boat can take 2 lobsters or crawfish and 6 crabs
(spider / brown) = 8 shellfish.
•The Minimum Landing Size for lobster is 90mm carapace length and
crawfish 110mm carapace length .
•Lobster or crawfish with a V notched or mutilated tail are protected
by national legislation and must be returned to the sea immediately.
•It is unlawful to sell any fish or shellfish caught from a boat
without a Licence from the Government, The statutory maximum fine for
a breach of this offence is £50,000.

All these offences are strict liability offences which means it is no
defence to say you were not aware or did not know of the legislation.

For more information :
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/foodandfisheries/fisheries/contactandlinks/fisheriescontacts/?lang=en

[Skomer MNR]

Can I just add that the collection of scallops in Skomer Marine Nature
Reserve (which includes the sea around Marloes peninsula) is illegal at
all times and is subject to the same fines. I'm sure that most know
this already, but just a reminder. We've had a couple of incidents in
Martins Haven reported recently and are currently looking through CCTV
footage to get identities to pass on to the fisheries authorities.
Cheers,
Phil Newman

>>> BSAC Wales SDCO <swale...@bsac.com> 08/08/2012 20:39 >>>

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