Explanatory note

These Regulations make amendments to assimilated law in the field of sea fisheries.

Regulation 2 makes minor amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (EUR 2019/1241). It introduces a minimum conservation reference size for lemon sole, turbot and brill in ICES divisions 7d and 7e and increases it for crawfish in English waters.

Regulation 2 also introduces a minimum mesh size requirement for flyseining gear in the English waters of ICES divisions 7d and 7e. The engine power of vessels using flyseining gear within 12 nautical miles of the English coast in those ICES divisions is additionally limited to 221 kW.

Regulation 3 amends Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123, by removing seabass catch limits for United Kingdom registered fishing vessels from Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123. It is intended that catch limits will be managed through vessel licence conditions.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen.