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)

The table below outlines the MCRS for common species within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Species

Scientific Name

FAO Code

MCRS

FISH

Anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

ANE

12 cm or 90 individuals per kg (1)

Sea Bass

Dicentrarchus labrax

BSS

42 cm 

Blue Ling

Molva dypterygia

BLI

70 cm

Cod

Gadus morhua

COD

35 cm

Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

HAD

30 cm

Hake

Merluccius merluccius

HKE

27 cm

Herring

Clupea harengus

HER

20 cm (1)

Horse mackerel

Trachurus trachurus

HOM

15 cm (1)

Ling

Molva molva

LIN

63 cm

Mackerel

Scomber scombrus

MAC

20 cm (1)

Megrim

Lepidorhombus spp.

LEZ

20 cm

Plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

PLE

27 cm

Pollack

Pollachius pollachius

POL

30 cm

Saithe

Pollachius virens

POK

35 cm

Sardine

Sardina pilchardus

PIL

11 cm (1)

Sole

Solea sole

SOL

24 cm

Whiting

Merlangius merlangus

WHG

27 cm

MOLLUSCS

Queen scallop

Aequipecten opercularis

QSC

40 mm

Razor clam

Ensis spp.

EQX

100 mm

125 mm - North Irish Sea

King Scallop

Pecten maximus

SCE

100 mm

110 mm - VIIa North of 52°30’N and VIId

Solid Surf clam

Spisula solida

ULO

25 mm

Whelk

Buccinum undatum

WHE

25 mm diameter (at its broadest part) 

45 mm length

Grooved carpetshell

Ruditapes decussatus

CTG

40 mm

Octopus

Octopus vulgaris

OCC

750g

Cockles

Cerastoderma edule

COC

17mm - Waterford Estuary, Tramore Bay & Dundalk Bay

Native Oysters

Ostrea edulis

OYF

80mm – Lough Foyle

76mm – Outside of Lough Foyle

CRUSTACEANS

Crawfish (Crayfish)

Palinurus spp.

CRW

110mm

Edible/Brown crab

Cancer pagurus

CRE

140 mm 

Lobster

Homarus gammarus

LBE

87 mm (max. 127mm)

Spider crab

Maja squinado

SCR

130 mm (Male) & 125mm (Female)

Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

NEP

6a & 7a: Total length 70mm, Carapace 20mm, Tail 37mm

All other areas: Total length 85 mm, Carapace 25 mm, Tail 46 mm 

Velvet Crab

Necora puber

LIO

65 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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.