Order No. 957 on fishing restrictions in marine protected areas.

This Order establishes fishing restrictions in specified Danish marine protected areas, mainly by prohibiting the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in a long list of designated habitat areas and in the additional protected areas of Kalø Vig and Vejle Fjord. It also prohibits all fishing in certain areas where bubbling reef structures occur. The restricted bottom-towed gear includes beam trawls, shrimp trawls, bottom trawls, pair bottom trawls, Danish seines/flyshooters/seines and dredges, as listed in Annex 1. The annexes define the protected areas and restricted zones through coordinates and maps, covering numerous Natura 2000 habitat areas and other marine protected sites. Limited exceptions are provided for fishing for mussels, oysters and starfish in certain areas where the Danish Agricultural and Fisheries Agency has issued a permit following an environmental impact assessment. The Order provides for fines and corporate liability for breaches, and implements parts of the EU Habitats Directive.