Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Conservation Order 2016 and comes into force on 23rd March 2016.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order-

"boundary line" means a boundary delineated by a line as described in Schedule 1 or 2;

"co-ordinate" means a co-ordinate of latitude and longitude according to the World Geodetic System 1984(6);

"Firth of Lorn SAC" means that part of the protected area which is designated as a special area of conservation pursuant to regulation 8 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and described in Schedule 3;

"Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA" means that area designated as a nature conservation marine protected area by, and described in article 3 of, the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2014(7); and

"the protected area" means the area described in article 3.

The protected area

3.  For the purposes of this Order, the area protected by it is-

(a)the seabed and subsoil; and

(b)all of the water covering the seabed,

within the area enclosed by the boundary lines described in Schedule 1.

Prohibited and regulated activities

4.-(1) Paragraphs (2), (3) and (4)(b) apply in order to further the stated conservation objectives for the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA in relation to common skate and to protect the Firth of Lorn SAC in respect of reefs.

(2) A person must not deploy (by any means) or use any fishing gear within the protected area.

(3) While a fishing vessel is within the protected area the master of the vessel must ensure that any fishing gear carried on board the vessel is properly lashed and stowed in such a way that it may not be readily used.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to the deployment or use of-

(a)any fishing gear within the protected area for the purpose of saving life, or for the purpose of securing the safety of a vessel, aircraft or marine structure; or

(b)a mechanical dredge, or a demersal trawl (other than a beam trawl) but without the attachment and use of tickler chains, within those parts of the protected area which are described in Schedule 2.

(5) Paragraph (4)(b) has effect with regard to those parts of the protected area which are described in Parts 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 only during the following periods-

(a)1st January to 31st March; and

(b)1st October to 31st December,

each year.

(6) In this article-

"beam trawl" means a type of demersal trawl which has its mouth extended by a beam, bar or other rigid device;

"creel" means a basket, small cage, pot, receptacle or container with one or more openings or entrances which may be baited and placed on the seabed for the purpose of catching fish or shellfish;

"demersal seine net" means an encircling net, attached to ropes, which is laid on, and towed across, the seabed;

"demersal trawl" means a net which is towed along the seabed;

"dredge" means-

"fishing gear" means any beam trawl, demersal seine net, demersal trawl, dredge, passive gear and any rope or wire associated with the gear;

"groundrope" means a weighted rope or wire which holds the bottom of the net mouth to the seabed;

"parlour creel" means a creel which has at least two compartments, entry to one or more of which is likely to be gained only through an internal connection from another compartment;

"passive gear" means any fishing gear or catch operation which does not require an active movement of the gear, including-

but excluding creels and parlour creels; and

"tickler chain" means a chain which is attached across the mouth of a trawl, and positioned in front of the groundrope, for the purpose of disturbing fish from the seabed causing them to rise and be caught by the net.

Authorisation for the purpose of scientific research

5.-(1) The Scottish Ministers may, following written application to them, issue a permit authorising the activity mentioned in paragraph (2) which would, apart from any such permit, be unlawful under this Order.

(2) The activity mentioned in this paragraph is the deployment or use of any fishing gear for the purpose of scientific research.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must not issue a permit unless they are satisfied that there is no significant risk of the activity hindering the achievement of the stated conservation objectives for the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA.

(4) In this article, "fishing gear" has the same meaning as in article 4(6).

Disapplication of exception to the offences under sections 94 and 95 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010

6.-(1) Paragraph (b) of section 97(1) of the 2010 Act does not apply in relation to-

(a)an offence under section 94 of the 2010 Act of contravening this Order;

(b)an offence under section 95 of the 2010 Act in relation to the protected area.

(2) In this article "the 2010 Act" means the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

Revocation

7.  The Inshore Fishing (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Lorn) (No. 2) Order 2007(8) is revoked.

Articles 2 and 3

SCHEDULE 1THE PROTECTED AREA

For the purposes of articles 2 and 3 the protected area described in this Schedule is enclosed by the boundary lines which are described below, in each case by reference to the co-ordinates of the points joined by a line and a topographical description of the line-

Where-

"A" is 56°42.650′N, 006°13.564′W;

"B" is 56°40.798′N, 006°01.803′W;

"C" is 56°39.030′N, 006°00.165′W;

"D" is 56°32.058′N, 005°46.534′W;

"E" is 56°32.009′N, 005°46.330′W;

"F" is 56°31.499′N, 005°35.962′W;

"G" is 56°29.976′N, 005°34.161′W;

"H" is 56°31.970′N, 005°27.809′W;

"I" is 56°31.223′N, 005°26.208′W;

"J" is 56°28.815′N, 005°28.524′W;

"K" is 56°26.245′N, 005°28.945′W;

"L" is 56°25.380′N, 005°29.072′W;

"M" is 56°25.317′N, 005°29.280′W;

"N" is 56°24.890′N, 005°29.798′W;

"O" is 56°24.554′N, 005°29.303′W;

"P" is 56°21.244′N, 005°32.148′W;

"Q" is 56°21.046′N, 005°32.302′W;

"R" is 56°07.806′N, 005°36.320′W;

"S" is 56°06.777′N, 005°34.108′W;

"T" is 56°06.591′N, 005°34.018′W;

"U" is 56°05.556′N, 005°34.961′W;

"V" is 55°59.132′N, 005°41.294′W;

"W" is 56°00.818′N, 005°46.929′W;

"X" is 56°06.815′N, 005°47.699′W;

"Y" is 56°09.635′N, 005°47.702′W;

"Z" is 56°10.258′N, 005°51.915′W;

"AA" is 56°12.583′N, 005°55.945′W;

"AB" is 56°16.220′N, 005°49.392′W;

"AC" is 56°18.749′N, 005°49.789′W;

"AD" is 56°22.736′N, 005°41.379′W;

"AE" is 56°23.009′N, 005°40.806′W;

"AF" is 56°25.025′N, 005°39.148′W;

"AG" is 56°25.467′N, 005°39.069′W;

"AH" is 56°36.604′N, 006°01.898′W;

"AI" is 56°36.651′N, 006°01.797′W;

"AJ" is 56°36.678′N, 006°01.765′W;

"AK" is 56°36.743′N, 006°01.712′W;

"AL" is 56°37.500′N, 006°02.676′W;

"AM" is 56°38.071′N, 006°03.598′W; and

"AN" is 56°38.572′N, 006°11.715′W.

Articles 2 and 4(4)(b)

SCHEDULE 2AREAS WHERE MECHANICAL DREDGING AND, PROVIDED CERTAIN SPECIFIED EQUIPMENT IS NOT USED, DEMERSAL TRAWLING (EXCEPT BEAM TRAWLING) IS ALLOWED

For the purposes of articles 2 and 4(4)(b) the parts of the protected area described in this Schedule are enclosed by the boundary lines which are described below, in each case by reference to the co-ordinates of the points joined by a line and a topographical description of the line-

PART 1

Where-

"AO" is 56°42.650′N, 006°13.564′W;

"AP" is 56°40.798′N, 006°01.803′W;

"AQ" is 56°39.030′N, 006°00.165′W;

"AR" is 56°32.664′N, 005°52.001′W;

"AS" is 56°31.276′N, 005°51.997′W;

"AT" is 56°36.604′N, 006°01.898′W;

"AU" is 56°36.651′N, 006°01.797′W;

"AV" is 56°36.678′N, 006°01.765′W;

"AW" is 56°36.743′N, 006°01.712′W;

"AX" is 56°37.500′N, 006°02.676′W;

"AY" is 56°38.071′N, 006°03.598′W; and

"AZ" is 56°38.572′N, 006°11.715′W.

PART 2

Where-

"BA" is 56°27.683′N, 005°35.959′W;

"BB" is 56°31.970′N, 005°27.809′W;

"BC" is 56°31.223′N, 005°26.208′W;

"BD" is 56°28.815′N, 005°28.524′W;

"BE" is 56°26.245′N, 005°28.945′W;

"BF" is 56°25.380′N, 005°29.072′W;

"BG" is 56°25.317′N, 005°29.280′W;

"BH" is 56°23.459′N, 005°34.981′W;

"BI" is 56°27.287′N, 005°36.539′W;

"BJ" is 56°27.629′N, 005°36.047′W;

"BK" is 56°27.639′N, 005°36.028′W; and

"BL" is 56°27.671′N, 005°35.978′W.

PART 3

Where-

"BM" is 56°11.276′N, 005°37.940′W;

"BN" is 56°11.583′N, 005°37.773′W;

"BO" is 56°10.893′N, 005°34.954′W; and

"BP" is 56°08.322′N, 005°36.546′W.

PART 4

Where-

"BQ" is 56°07.799′N, 005°36.400′W;

"BR" is 56°07.806′N, 005°36.320′W;

"BS" is 56°06.777′N, 005°34.108′W;

"BT" is 56°06.591′N, 005°34.018′W;

"BU" is 56°06.104′N, 005°34.461′W; and

"BV" is 56°06.263′N, 005°37.932′W.

PART 5

Where-

"BW" is 55°59.543′N, 005°42.667′W;

"BX" is 56°04.239′N, 005°37.446′W;

"BY" is 56°04.208′N, 005°36.504′W; and

"BZ" is 55°59.132′N, 005°41.294′W.

PART 6

Where-

"CA" is 56°04.606′N, 005°43.483′W;

"CB" is 56°04.545′N, 005°43.164′W;

"CC" is 56°00.531′N, 005°45.972′W; and

"CD" is 56°00.818′N, 005°46.929′W.

PART 7

Where-

"CE" is 56°09.856′N, 005°49.197′W;

"CF" is 56°13.284′N, 005°45.400′W;

"CG" is 56°11.986′N, 005°43.459′W; and

"CH" is 56°09.635′N, 005°47.702′W.

PART 8

Where-

"CI" is 56°21.778′N, 005°42.284′W;

"CJ" is 56°21.469′N, 005°41.857′W;

"CK" is 56°18.750′N, 005°47.500′W;

"CL" is 56°18.378′N, 005°49.731′W; and

"CM" is 56°18.749′N, 005°49.789′W.

PART 9

Where-

"CN" is 56°28.681′N, 005°42.561′W; and

"CO" is 56°28.273′N, 005°41.771′W.

Article 2

SCHEDULE 3THE FIRTH OF LORN SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION

For the purposes of article 2 the part of the protected area described in this Schedule is enclosed by the boundary lines which are described below, in each case by reference to the co-ordinates of the points joined by a line and a topographical description of the line-

Where-

"CP" is 56°12.583′N, 005°55.945′W;

"CQ" is 56°16.220′N, 005°49.392′W;

"CR" is 56°16.878′N, 005°48.205′W;

"CS" is 56°16.071′N, 005°46.993′W;

"CT" is 56°20.348′N, 005°39.148′W;

"CU" is 56°20.334′N, 005°34.040′W;

"CV" is 56°18.828′N, 005°34.871′W;

"CW" is 56°18.876′N, 005°35.167′W;

"CX" is 56°15.910′N, 005°37.369′W;

"CY" is 56°15.750′N, 005°37.831′W;

"CZ" is 56°11.300′N, 005°38.016′W;

"DA" is 56°08.315′N, 005°36.524′W;

"DB" is 56°07.800′N, 005°36.374′W;

"DC" is 56°07.654′N, 005°41.262′W;

"DD" is 56°06.815′N, 005°47.699′W;

"DE" is 56°09.635′N, 005°47.702′W;

"DF" is 56°11.986′N, 005°43.459′W;

"DG" is 56°13.284′N, 005°45.400′W;

"DH" is 56°13.606′N, 005°45.882′W; and

"DI" is 56°10.258′N, 005°51.915′W.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Article 11(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p.22) empowers EU member States to adopt conservation measures which are necessary for compliance with obligations under EU environmental legislation.

The Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2014 ("the 2014 Order") designated Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura as a nature conservation marine protected area ("Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA"). The 2014 Order provides that common skate, a mobile species, and the Quaternary of Scotland which is a geomorphological feature are protected features within the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA.

This Order furthers the stated conservation objectives for the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA insofar as they relate to common skate and protects the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation ("Firth of Lorn SAC") in respect of reefs.

Article 3 and Schedule 1 describe the area protected by this Order ("the protected area"). It comprises part of the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA, the whole of the Firth of Lorn SAC which is described in article 2 and Schedule 3, and an area which is outwith both of those designated areas.

Article 4 prohibits and regulates activities within the protected area.

Article 4(2) provides that a person must not deploy or use any fishing gear within the protected area. The term "fishing gear" is defined in article 4(6) of the Order.

Article 4(3) regulates the storage of fishing gear on fishing vessels within the protected area.

Article 4(4) provides that the provision made by the Order in prohibiting and regulating activities is subject to certain specified exceptions. Article 4(4)(a) provides that the prohibitions and regulations do not apply to activities carried out in the protected area for the purpose of saving life or for the purpose of securing the safety of a vessel, aircraft or marine structure. Article 4(4)(b) provides that mechanical dredging and, provided that certain specified equipment is not used, demersal trawling (other than beam trawling) by fishing vessels, is permitted within certain specified parts of the protected area, which are described in Schedule 2.

Article 4(5) provides that the exceptions to the prohibition which are provided by article 4(4)(b) only apply within certain specified parts of the protected area at certain specified times of the year.

Article 5 provides that the Scottish Ministers may issue permits authorising fishing within the protected area only for the purpose of scientific research which would, apart from such a permit, be unlawful under the Order. The article makes provision regarding the procedure which applies to the making of applications for permits and the determination of such applications.

Article 6 provides that paragraph (b) of section 97(1) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 does not apply in relation to an offence under section 94 of that Act of contravening this Order or an offence under section 95 of that Act.

Article 7 provides that the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Lorn) (No. 2) Order 2007 ("the 2007 Order") is revoked. The provision made by the 2007 Order is broadly re-made by this Order.

A person who contravenes this Order commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to £50,000, and on conviction on indictment to an unlimited fine. The penalty on summary conviction under this Order is greater than that which is provided by the 2007 Order.

A business and regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to this Order and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. A copy of this can be obtained from Marine Scotland, the Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.

An illustrative map showing that part of the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA, the Firth of Lorn SAC, and that area which is outwith both the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA and the Firth of Lorn SAC in respect of which the Order applies is attached to this note.