ANNEX VIII U.K. BALTIC SEA

PART B U.K. Mesh sizes

1. Baseline mesh sizes for towed gear U.K.

1.1. Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 120 mm constructed from T90 or at least 105 mm fitted with a Bacoma exit window of 120 mm. U.K.

1.2. Without prejudice to the landing obligation and notwithstanding point 1.1, vessels may use smaller mesh sizes as listed in the following table for the Baltic Sea provided that: U.K.

(i)

the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod do not exceed 10 % 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 cod as that of 120 mm T90, or of 105 mm fitted with a 120 mm Bacoma exit window, respectively.

a The use of beam trawl shall not be authorised.
b The catch may consist of up to 45 % of herring by live weight
Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditions
At least 90 mm	In sub-divisions 22 and 23	Directed fishing for flatfisha Directed fishing for whiting
At least 32 mm	In sub-divisions 22-27	Directed fishing for herring, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting
At least 16 mm	In sub-divisions 22-27	Directed fishing for spratb
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species other than flatfish and which are not subject to catch limits and not covered elsewhere in the table
At least 16 mm	In sub-divisions 28-32	Directed fishing for small pelagic species which are not covered elsewhere in the table
Less than 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for sandeel

2. Baseline mesh sizes for static nets U.K.

2.1. Without prejudice to the landing obligation, vessels shall use a mesh size of at least 110 mm, or 157 mm when fishing for salmon. 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 Baltic Sea provided that the associated conditions set out in that table are complied with, and by-catches of cod do not exceed 10 % of the total catch live weight of all marine biological resources landed after each fishing trip or 5 specimens of salmon. U.K.

a The use of gillnets, entangling nets or trammel nets of more than 9 km for vessels with an overall length of less than 12 m and 21 km for vessels with an overall length of more than 12 m shall be prohibited. The maximum immersion time for such gear shall be 48 hours, except when fishing under ice cover.
Mesh Size	Geographical Areas	Conditionsa
At least 90 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for flatfish species
Less than 90 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for small pelagic species
At least 16 mm	Whole area	Directed fishing for species which are not subject to catch limits and not covered elsewhere in the table