Fisheries Biologically Sensitive Area

The Biologically Sensitive Area sets out the criteria and procedures for a system relating to the management of fishing effort in waters around Ireland that are considered biologically sensitive. A specific effort regime shall apply to the area enclosed by the coast of Ireland to the south of 53° 30' N and to the west of 07° 00' W and straight lines sequentially joining the following geographical coordinates: - a point on the coast of Ireland at latitude 53° 30; N, latitude 53° 30 N, longitude 12° 00 W, latitude 53° 00 N, longitude 12° 00 W, latitude 51° 00 N, longitude 11° 00 W, latitude 49° 30 N, longitude 11° 00 W and latitude 49° 30 N, longitude 07° 00 W. A point on the coast of Ireland at longitude 07° 00 W. An area to the South and West of Ireland has been identified as an area of high concentration of juvenile hake. This area has been made subject to special restrictions on the use of demersal gear. For the same conservation purpose it should also be subject to specific effort limitation requirements within the general system described above. A review of these requirements by December 2008 would allow the Council to reassess the situation. Council Regulation (EC) No 1954/2003 of 4 November 2003 on the management of the fishing effort relating to certain Community fishing areas and resources and modifying Regulation (EC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 685/95 and (EC) No 2027/95. The area covered by this designation includes the south coast of Ireland in the Celtic Sea from Waterford to Mizen Head and the south-west coast of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean from Mizen Head to Galway Bay. In 2003 the EU Commission established a Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA); off the south west of Ireland. Area designated via fisheries science research information. Area has been designated as a protected site for fishing effort monitoring. The Biologically Sensitive Area has been created by the European Council directive. Area 100% designated a protected site for biological sensitivity.