Commission Regulation (EC) No 517/2008 of 10 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 as regards the determination of the mesh size and assessing the thickness of twine of fishing nets (c. 517)

CHAPTER II U.K. EC GAUGES

Article 3 U.K. Mesh gauge and twine thickness gauges

1. Community and national inspectors shall use the mesh gauge and twine thickness gauges which comply with the provisions of this Regulation for the determination of the mesh size and the twine thickness of fishing nets when conducting fishery inspections.

2. The technical specifications applying to the mesh gauge are set out in Annex III.

3. The technical specifications applying to twine thickness gauges are set out in Annex IV.

4. The mesh gauge and twine thickness gauges referred to in paragraph 1 shall be marked ‘EC gauge’ and certified by the manufacturer as complying with the technical specification referred in paragraphs 2 and 3 respectively.

5. The mesh gauge and twine thickness gauges sold or distributed for use by entities or persons other than national fisheries authorities shall not be marked ‘EC gauge’.

Article 4 U.K. Calibration instruments for the mesh gauge

The calibrated test weights and calibrated test measuring plate provided for in figure 1 of Annex V shall be certified by the competent national authorities and marked ‘EC’.

Article 5 U.K. Testing of the mesh gauges

The accuracy of the mesh gauge shall be verified by:

(a)

inserting the jaws of the gauge into slots of the calibrated test plate as provided for in figure 1 of Annex V;

(b)

hanging the calibrated test weights on the fixed jaw, as provided for in figure 2 of Annex V.