Article 54c Restrictions on the use of automatic grading equipmentF1
United Kingdom
The carrying or use on board a fishing vessel of equipment which is capable of automatically grading, by size or by sex, herring or mackerel or horse mackerel shall be prohibited.
However, the carrying and use of such equipment shall be permitted provided that:
the vessel does not simultaneously carry or use on board either towed gear of mesh size less than 70 mm or one or more purse seines or similar fishing gear; or
the whole of the catch which may be lawfully retained on board:
- (i)
is stored in a frozen state;
- (ii)
the graded fish are frozen immediately after grading and no graded fish are returned to the sea; and
- (iii)
the equipment is installed and located on the vessel in such a way as to ensure immediate freezing and not to allow the return of marine species to the sea.
By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, any vessel authorised to fish in the Baltic Sea, the Belts or the Sound may carry automatic grading equipment in the Kattegat provided that a fishing authorisation has been issued in accordance with Article 7. The fishing authorisation shall define the species, areas, time periods and any other required conditions applicable to the use and carriage on board of the grading equipment.
This Article shall not apply in the Baltic Sea.