Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRSs)
The minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) is the size of a living marine aquatic species, taking into account maturity, as established by Union law, below which restrictions or incentives apply that aim to avoid capture through fishing activity. Marine species must be measured in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1241. MCRSs for common species within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) can be found in the tables below.
Table 1 – MCRS List within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
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The table below outlines the MCRS for common species within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
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Species
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Scientific Name
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FAO Code
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MCRS
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FISH
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Anchovy
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Engraulis encrasicolus
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ANE
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12 cm or 90 individuals per kg (1)
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Sea Bass
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Dicentrarchus labrax
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BSS
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42 cm
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Blue Ling
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Molva dypterygia
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BLI
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70 cm
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Cod
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Gadus morhua
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COD
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35 cm
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Haddock
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Melanogrammus aeglefinus
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HAD
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30 cm
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Hake
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Merluccius merluccius
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HKE
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27 cm
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Herring
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Clupea harengus
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HER
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20 cm (1)
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Horse mackerel
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Trachurus trachurus
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HOM
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15 cm (1)
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Ling
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Molva molva
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LIN
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63 cm
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Mackerel
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Scomber scombrus
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MAC
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20 cm (1)
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Megrim
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Lepidorhombus spp.
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LEZ
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20 cm
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Plaice
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Pleuronectes platessa
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PLE
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27 cm
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Pollack
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Pollachius pollachius
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POL
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30 cm
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Saithe
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Pollachius virens
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POK
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35 cm
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Sardine
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Sardina pilchardus
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PIL
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11 cm (1)
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Sole
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Solea sole
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SOL
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24 cm
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Whiting
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Merlangius merlangus
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WHG
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27 cm
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MOLLUSCS
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Queen scallop
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Aequipecten opercularis
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QSC
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40 mm
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Razor clam
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Ensis spp.
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EQX
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100 mm
125 mm - North Irish Sea
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King Scallop
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Pecten maximus
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SCE
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100 mm
110 mm - VIIa North of 52°30’N and VIId
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Solid Surf clam
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Spisula solida
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ULO
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25 mm
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Whelk
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Buccinum undatum
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WHE
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25 mm diameter (at its broadest part)
45 mm length
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Grooved carpetshell
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Ruditapes decussatus
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CTG
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40 mm
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Octopus
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Octopus vulgaris
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OCC
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750g
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Cockles
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Cerastoderma edule
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COC
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17mm - Waterford Estuary, Tramore Bay & Dundalk Bay
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Native Oysters
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Ostrea edulis
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OYF
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80mm – Lough Foyle
76mm – Outside of Lough Foyle
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CRUSTACEANS
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Crawfish (Crayfish)
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Palinurus spp.
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CRW
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110mm
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Edible/Brown crab
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Cancer pagurus
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CRE
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140 mm
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Lobster
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Homarus gammarus
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LBE
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87 mm (max. 127mm)
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Spider crab
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Maja squinado
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SCR
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130 mm (Male) & 125mm (Female)
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Norway lobster
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Nephrops norvegicus
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NEP
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6a & 7a: Total length 70mm, Carapace 20mm, Tail 37mm
All other areas: Total length 85 mm, Carapace 25 mm, Tail 46 mm
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Velvet Crab
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Necora puber
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LIO
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65 mm
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(1) By way of derogation from Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the minimum conservation reference sizes of sardine, anchovy, herring, horse mackerel and mackerel shall not apply within a limit of 10% by live weight of the total catches retained on board of each of those species. The percentage of sardine, anchovy, herring, horse mackerel or mackerel below the minimum conservation reference size shall be calculated as the proportion by live weight of all marine organisms on board after sorting or on landing. The percentage may be calculated on the basis of one or more representative samples. The limit of 10% shall not be exceeded during transhipment, landing, transportation, storage, display or sale.