The closure boundary as published in the source dataset, simplified for display. Basemap © Esri, HERE, Garmin, OpenStreetMap contributors.

What the rule actually says

A CAUGHT review has read the instrument behind this closure, rather than relying on the summary published with the boundary. Where the two differ, the instrument governs; this reading was made on 2026-11-06.

What is prohibited

Fishing for sea fish with demersal mobile gear.

The prohibition, in the instrument’s own words

Article 7(1): "Fishing for sea fish with demersal mobile gear is prohibited in the East Rockall Bank First Protected Area and the East Rockall Bank Second Protected Area." Article 7(3): Parts 1 and 2 of schedule 5. Article 2: "demersal mobile gear" means a demersal seine net, a demersal trawl (a beam trawl or a bottom trawl) or a dredge (mechanical or suction).

In summary

Article 7(1) of the Offshore Fishing Order 2025 bans fishing with demersal mobile gear (trawls, dredges and demersal seines) in the East Rockall Bank First and Second Protected Areas, year-round. Static gear is not banned in these two areas. There is no exception, season or permit.

As published with the boundary

Demersal mobile gear prohibited.

Summary as published in the source dataset, shown for comparison. A dataset paraphrase can be narrower or wider than the instrument it summarises, and finding out which is the work above.

What is prohibited: Bottom-towed gear prohibited
Authority: Scottish Government (Marine Scotland)
Instrument: Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025
Type: Byelaw/ Regulation
In force since: 2025-10-16
Area: 2,528 km²

What satellites have recorded here

No cases have been recorded in this closure. That is not a finding that nothing happens here — it means our sweeps have not flagged anything inside these boundaries, and coverage depends on satellite passes and on vessels being tracked at all.

What a case here means. A CAUGHT case is a reason to look, not a verdict. Each one is judged on three independent factors — was it fishing, here and then; what gear does the vessel actually use; and what was prohibited there at that time — and the weakest of the three decides. Most cases are resolved.

Boundaries and rule summaries come from the published datasets named at the foot of this page and can contain errors; the legislation is the authority. If you believe this closure is described wrongly, tell us at contact@caught.org.uk.

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