Order No. 959 on commercial and recreational fishing for lobsters.

This Order regulates commercial and recreational fishing for European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Denmark. It prohibits fishing for berried lobsters, requires lobsters to be landed whole, bans the landing of lobster tails and claws, and requires by-caught lobsters in other commercial fisheries to be released immediately. For commercial lobster fishing, it sets gear requirements for pots, fyke nets and multi-pots, including escape-hole dimensions and placement, and provides that commercial lobster fishing may only be carried out by registered commercial fishing vessels holding a lobster-fishing permit, with special permit criteria for the Limfjord. For recreational fishing, each fisher may land no more than five lobsters per day and must release any excess catch. The Order also establishes a closed season for lobster fishing in the Limfjord from 1 July to 31 August, special rules on gear use and storage of live lobsters during that period, restrictions on gillnets west of the Aggersund Bridge, penalties and possible withdrawal of permits.