Citation, commencement and duration in force

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Loch Carron Urgent Marine Conservation Order 2017 and comes into force on 20th May 2017.

(2) This Order remains in force for the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which it comes into force.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order-

"the Loch Carron MPA" means the area designated as a nature conservation marine protected area by, and described in article 3 of, the Loch Carron Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2017(3); 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 Loch Carron MPA.

Prohibited and regulated activities

4.-(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply in order to further the stated conservation objectives for the Loch Carron MPA.

(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) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to the deployment or use of 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.

(5) 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, any other device used for fishing purposes, and any rope or wire associated with the gear but excluding–

"handline" means a single fishing line which is held in a person's hand;

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

and includes any rope or wire associated with the gear; and

"pelagic trawl" means any trawl or encircling net which has no contact with the seabed during a fishing operation, and includes any rope or wire associated with the gear.

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

5.-(1) Paragraph (b) of section 97(1) (exception to offence where act authorised by a public authority) 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 committed in relation to the protected area.

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

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 Carron Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2017 ("the 2017 Order") designated that part of the Scottish marine area which is within Loch Carron as a nature conservation marine protected area ("the Loch Carron MPA"). The 2017 Order provides that flame shell beds within Loch Carron are protected features.

This Order furthers the stated conservation objectives for the Loch Carron MPA.

This Order is made under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, including section 88(1) and (2) of that Act which allows the Scottish Ministers to make this Order on an urgent basis. In accordance with section 88(1)(b) of that Act the Order remains in force for a specified period, which is the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which it comes into force. In accordance with that section of that Act the Scottish Ministers must keep under review the need for this Order to remain in force.

Article 3 describes the area protected by this Order ("the protected area"). It is the seabed and subsoil and all of the water covering the seabed within the Loch Carron MPA.

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" and associated terms are defined in article 4(5) of the Order.

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

Article 4(4) provides that article 4(2) and (3) does 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 5 provides that paragraph (b) of section 97(1) (exception to offence where act authorised by a public authority) 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 committed in relation to the protected area.

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.

An illustrative map showing the Loch Carron MPA is attached to this note.