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ANNEX VU.K.NORTH SEA(1)

PART BU.K.Mesh sizes

1.Baseline mesh sizes for towed gearU.K.

1.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 120 mm F1....U.K.

Textual Amendments

1.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation,F2... vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the North Sea F3... provided that:U.K.

(i)

the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod, haddock and saithe do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip; or

(ii)

other selectivity modifications are used which have been [F4authorised by a fisheries administration following scientific assessment and approval]. Those selectivity modifications shall result in the same or better selectivity characteristics for cod, haddock and saithe as that of 120 mm.

Textual Amendments

Textual Amendments

a

Vessels shall be prohibited from using any beam trawl with a mesh size between 32 and 99 mm north of a line joined by the following points by a point on the East Coast of the United Kingdom at latitude 55° N, then east to latitude 55°, longitude 5° E, then north to latitude 56° N and east to a point on the west coast of Denmark at latitude 56° N. It is prohibited to use any beam trawl of mesh size range 32 to 119 mm within ICES Division 2a and that part of ICES Sub-area 4 to the north of 56° 00′ N.

Mesh SizeGeographical AreasConditions
At least 100 mmaNorth Sea south of 57° 30′ NDirected fishing for plaice and sole with otter trawls, beam trawls, and seines. A square mesh panel of at least 90 mm shall be fitted.
At least 80 mmaICES Divisions 4b and 4c

Directed fishing for sole with beam trawls. A panel with a mesh size of at least 180 mm fitted in the upper half of the anterior part of the net shall be fitted.

Directed fishing for whiting, mackerel and species not subject to catch limits with bottom trawls. A square mesh panel of at least 80 mm shall be fitted.

At least 80 mmNorth Sea

Directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). A square mesh panel of at least 120 mm or sorting grid with a maximum bar spacing of 35 mm or equivalent selectivity device shall be fitted.

Directed fishing for species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table. A square mesh panel of at least 80 mm shall be fitted.

Directed fishing for skates and rays.

At least 80 mmICES division 4cDirected fishing for sole using otter trawls. A square mesh panel of at least 80 mm shall be fitted.
F5. . .F5. . .F5. . .
At least 40 mmWhole areaDirected fishing for squid (Lolignidae, Ommastrephidae).
F6. . .F6. . .F6. . .
At least 32 mmWhole area F7...Directed fishing for Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis). A sorting grid with a maximum bar spacing of 19 mm or equivalent selectivity device shall be fitted.
At least 16 mmWhole area

Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table.

Directed fishing for Norway pout. A sorting grid with a maximum bar spacing of 35 mm in the Norway pout fishery shall be fitted.

Directed fishing for common and Aesop shrimps. A separator trawl or sorting grid must be fitted in accordance with nationally or regionally established rules.

Less than 16 mmWhole areaDirected fishing for sandeel.

Textual Amendments

2.Baseline mesh sizes for static nets and driftnetsU.K.

2.1.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 120 mm.U.K.

2.2.Without prejudice to the landing obligation, and notwithstanding point 2.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the North Sea F8... provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with and by-catches of cod, haddock and saithe do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip.U.K.

Textual Amendments

Mesh SizeGeographical AreasConditions
At least 100 mmWhole areaDirected fishing for haddock, whiting, dab and bass
At least 90 mmWhole areaDirected fishing for flatfish or species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 50 mmWhole areaDirected fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table
(1)

For the purposes of this Annex:

  • the Kattegat is limited in the north by a line drawn from Skagen Lighthouse to the lighthouse in Tistlarna, and from there to the nearest point on the Swedish coast, and in the south by a line drawn from Hasenøre Head to Gniben Point, from Korshage to Spodsbjerg, and from Gilbjerg Head to the Kullen,

  • the Skagerrak is limited in the west by a line drawn from the lighthouse of Hanstholm to the lighthouse of Lindesnes, and in the south by a line drawn from Skagen Lighthouse to the lighthouse of Tistlarna, and from there to the nearest point on the Swedish coast,

  • the North Sea shall comprise ICES sub-area 4, the adjacent part of ICES Division 2a lying south of latitude 64° N, and that part of ICES Division 3a which is not covered by the definition of Skagerrak given in the second indent.