Statutory guidance

Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) in UK waters

Updated 12 November 2018

1. Fish

Species Scientific name MCRS in UK waters*
Anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus Whole area, except ICES division IXa east of longitude 7° 23′ 48″ W: 12 cm or 90 individuals/kg.

ICES division IXa east of longitude 7° 23′ 48″ W:10cm
Bass Dicentrarchus labrax 42 cm (1)
Blue ling Molva dipterygia 70 cm
Cod Gadus morhua 35 cm
Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 30 cm
Hake Merluccius merluccius 27 cm
Herring Clupea harengus 20 cm
Horse mackerel Trachurus spp. 15 cm
Ling Molva molva 63 cm
Mackerel Scomber spp. Whole area, except North Sea: 20 cm.

North Sea: 30 cm
Megrim Lepidorhombus spp. 20 cm
Plaice Pleuronectes platessa 27 cm
Pollack Pollachius pollachius 30 cm
Red Sea Bream Pagellus bogaraveo 33 cm (2)
Saithe (Coalfish) Pollachius virens 35 cm
Sardine Sardina pilchardus 11 cm
Sole Solea spp. 24 cm
Whiting Merlangius merlangus 27 cm

*Region 2 as defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 Article 2 1 (b)

(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1316

(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/787

2. Molluscs

Species Scientific name MCRS in UK waters*
Bean Solen** Pharus legumen 65 mm
Carpetshell** Venerupis pullastra 38 mm
Clam** Venus verrucosa 40 mm
Donax Clams** Donax spp. 25 mm
Grooved carpetshell** Ruditapes decussatus 40 mm
Hard Clam** Callista chione 6 cm
Octopus Octopus Vulgaris 750 grams
Queen scallop** Chlamys spp. 40 mm
Razor Clam** Ensis spp 10 cm
Scallop** Pecten maximus Whole area, except ICES VIIa north of 52o 30′ N and VIId: 100 mm

ICES VIIa north of 52o 30′ N, VIId: 110 mm
Short-necked Clam** Ruditapes Phillippinarum 35 mm
Surf Clams** Spisula solida 25 mm
Whelk** Buccinum undatum 45 mm

*Region 2 as defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 Article 2 1 (b)

**Must be landed whole

3. Crustaceans

Species Scientific name MCRS in UK waters*
Crawfish** Palinurus spp. 95 mm
Deepwater Rose Shrimp Parapenaeus longirostirs 22 mm (carapace length)
Edible crab*** Cancer pagarus Regions 1 and 2 north of 56o N: 140 mm

Region 2 south of 56o N, except ICES Divisions VIId, e, f, and ICES Divisions IVb, c: 130 mm

ICES Divisions IVb, c south of 56 oN: 130 mm, except for an area limited by a point at 53o28′22″ N, 0o09′24″ E, on the coast of England, a straight line joining this point with 53o28′22″ N, 0o22′24″ E, the 6 mile boundary of the United Kingdom, and a straight line connecting a point at 51o54′06″ N, 1o30′30″ E, with a point on the coast of England at 51o55′48″ N, 1o17′00″ E, where the minimum landing conservation reference size shall be 115 mm

ICES Divisions VIId, e, f: 140 mm

Region 3: 130 mm

Devon, Cornwall and the Scilly Isles male edible crab: 160mm (1)
Lobster** Homarus gammarus 87 mm
Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus Whole area, except Region 3 and ICES VIa, VIIa: total length 85 mm, carapace length 25 mm, tail 46mm

ICES VIa, VIIa; Region 3: total length 70 mm, carapace length 20 mm, tail 37mm
Norway lobster tails Nephrops norvegicus Whole area, except Region 3 and ICES VIa, VIIa: 46 mm

ICES VIa, VIIa; Regione 3: 37 mm
Spinous Spider Crab** Maia squinado Male 130mm2

Female 120 mm
Velvet crab** Necora puber Whole area except Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Islands 65 mm. (3) Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Islands 70 mm. (3)

*Region 2 as defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 Article 2 1 (b)

**Must be landed whole

***When using pots or creels, a maximum of 1 % by weight of the total catch of edible crabs landed may consist of detached claws. For all other gear types a maximum of 75kg of detached claws may be landed

(1) Statutory Instrument 2000/ 2029 The Undersized Edible Crabs Order 2000. Applies to UK vessels only

(2) Statutory Instrument 2000/1502 The Undersized Spider Crabs Order 2000. Applies to UK vessels only

(3) Statutory Instrument 1898/919 Undersized Velvet Crabs Order 1989. Applies to UK vessels only