The Directorate of Fisheries would therefore like to ask fishermen and operators to familiarize themselves with the rules and laws governing fishing.

A few things to consider:

• It is safe to release spotted catfish if it is viable.

• It is mandatory to release bone shark, spotted catfish, dogfish and mackerel shark if it is viable.

• It is safe to release starry skate if it is viable.

• It is mandatory to release lumpfish caught in cod fishing nets.

• When fishing for lumpfish, it is permitted to release viable male lumpfish.

• If halibut comes on board a fishing vessel as bycatch, viable halibut must be released immediately.

• When fishing with a line, all halibut should be released by cutting the leash of the line.

• During hand reel and sea angling fishing, halibut should be carefully unhooked or the loop of the trail should be cut before the halibut comes on board.