Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

PART B Mesh sizes

1. Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear

1.1. Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 70 mm(1),(2), or at least 55 mm in ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W.

1.2. Without prejudice to the landing obligation and notwithstanding point 2.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for South Western waters provided that:

(i)

the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of hake 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 assessed by STECF upon request of one or more Member States and approved by the Commission. Those selectivity modifications shall result in the same or better selectivity characteristics for hake as that of 70 mm, or 55 mm in ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W respectively.

Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 55mm	Whole area excluding ICES division 9a east of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W	Directed fishing for species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for red sea bream Directed fishing for mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting with bottom trawls
At least 35mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for wedge sole
At least 55 mm	ICES division 9a west of longitude 7°23′ 48″ W	Directed fishing for crustaceans
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table Directed fishing for shrimps (Palaemon serratus, Crangon crangon), and crab (Polybius henslowi)
Less than 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for sandeel

2. Baseline mesh sizes for static nets and driftnets

2.1. Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 100 mm(3), or at least 80 mm in ICES division 8c and ICES sub-area 9.

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 South Western waters provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of hake do not exceed 20 % of the total catch in live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip.

a A mesh size of less than 40 mm may be used for sardines.
Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 80 mm	Whole area except ICES division 8c and ICES sub-area 9	Directed fishing for sea bass, whiting, turbot, flounder and pollack
At least 60 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species not subject to catch limits and which are not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 50 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic speciesa which are not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 40 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for red mullet, shrimps (Penaeus spp.), mantis shrimp, wedge sole and wrasse

(1)

This provision is without prejudice to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 494/2002.

(2)

For directed fishing for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), a square mesh panel of at least 100 mm or equivalent selectivity device shall be fitted when fishing in ICES divisions 8a, 8b, 8d and 8e. For 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.

(3)

For directed fishing for anglerfish a mesh size of at least 220 mm shall be used.