Article 2 InterpretationI1

In this Order—

• “the Act” means the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967;

• “the application window” means the period prescribed by the Authority in which an application for a licence or transitional period licence must be submitted;

• “the Authority” means the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority established under section 149 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009^f1 and as defined in articles 2 and 4 of the Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010^f2;

• “cockle” means any shellfish of the genus Cerastoderma;

• “fisheries offence” means any offence under any UK fisheries legislation other than that specified by the definition of “relevant offence”;

• “licence holder” means the person or company named on a licence issued by the Authority under this Order permitting that person to dredge, fish for or take cockles within the regulated fishery;

• “the regulated fishery” means that part of the Thames Estuary described in Schedule 1;

• “relevant fishing vessel” means a vessel—

  1. (a)

     registered in accordance with Part 2 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995^f3 and the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993^f4; and

  2. (b)

     in respect of which there is a valid fishing licence issued under the Fisheries Act 2020^f5;

• “relevant offence” means any offence under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 or section 292 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;

• “transitional period licence” means a licence to dredge, fish for or take cockles within the regulated fishery issued pursuant to article 6.