Sea Fisheries (Driftnets) Order, 1998.

The effect of this Order is to give effect to the enforcement of Council Regulation 1239/98. From the making of the Order no vessel may keep on board or use for fishing one or more driftnets whose individual or total length is more than 2.5 kilometres. From 1 January 2002 no vessel may keep on board or use driftnets for the capture of a specified number of species listed in the Annex to the Council Regulation. Until 31 December 2001 a vessel may keep on board or use for fishing one or more driftnets for the capture of these species if it has received an authorization. In the case of an Irish Sea fishing boat the authorization can be granted under this Order. In the case of a boat operating under the flag of another Member State of the European Community the vessel must keep on board the authorization from the competent authority of the relevant Member State. Specific conditions attach to authorizations issued under this Order.