Division Article 4

Access to zone III areas within the Natura 2000 site of the North Sea Coastal Zone shall be restricted in the sense that seabed fishing and other activities that disturb the seabed shall be prohibited throughout the year, with the exception of the activities listed below:

1. a))

   with regard to fisheries:

   • fishing in accordance with the best available techniques and fisheries practice;

   • shrimp fisheries until 1 January 2014 on the basis of the licence applicable under the Nature Conservation Act at the time of adoption of this decree; and thereafter subject to licence under the Nature Conservation Act;

   • trawl fishing with tickler chains until 1 January 2014 in the zone III areas near Petten and Eierlandsegat;

   • shellfish fisheries, except spisula fisheries in the zone III area above Ameland, provided it is regulated by a licence under the Nature Conservation Act or regulated by the management plan;

   • pelagic fisheries using fishing gear that cannot also be used for seabed fishing;

   • handline fishing;

   • fishing with fixed gear;

   • mussel seed capture installations.

2. b))

   with regard to the extraction of shells:

   • shells may be extracted until 1 January 2014 on the basis of the licence applicable under the Nature Conservation Act at the time of adoption of this decree, but only in accordance with the concession areas applicable until that date;

   • extraction of shells in the zone III area north of Schiermonnikoog after 1 January 2014 if licensed under the Nature Conservation Act.

3. c))

   with regard to the laying and maintenance of cables and pipelines:

   • laying of cables and pipelines and the maintenance thereof, if licensed in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act;

   • from 1 November to 1 April the maintenance of cables and (pipe)lines is only permitted in emergencies or in other cases of urgent need, to be decided in advance by the competent authority, and in accordance with any specific provisions.

4. d))

   with regard to vessels:

   • transit and anchoring of vessels.