MINIMUM MESH SIZE WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 4(1)
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ANNEX II
RULES FOR DETERMINING MINIMUM MESH SIZES WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 5
A. Description of gauges
1. The gauges to be used for determining mesh size shall be 2 mm thick, flat, of durable material and capable of retaining their shape. They shall have either a series of parallel-edged sides connected by intermediate tapering edges with a taper of one to eight on each side, or only tapering edges with the taper specified above. They shall have a hole at the narrowest extremity.
2. Each gauge shall be inscribed on its face with the width in millimetres both on the parallel-sided section, if any, and of the tapering section. In the case of the latter, the width shall be inscribed at intervals of 1 mm and shall be indicated at regular intervals.
B. Use of the gauge
1. The net shall be stretched in the direction of the long diagonal of the meshes.
2. A gauge as described in paragraph A shall be inserted by its narrowest extremity into the mesh opening in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the net.
3. The gauge shall be inserted into the mesh opening either manually or using a weight or dynamometer, until it is stopped at the tapering edges by the resistance of the mesh.
C. Selection of meshes to be measured
1. The portion of net to be measured shall form a series of 20 consecutive meshes running in the direction of the long axis of the net.
2. Meshes situated less than 50 cm from lacings, ropes or codline shall not be measured. This distance shall be measured perpendicular to the lacings, ropes or codline with the net stretched in the direction of that measurement. Nor shall any mesh be measured which has been mended or broken or has attachments to the net fixed at that mesh.
3. By way of derogation from 1, the meshes to be measured need not be consecutive if the conditions set out in 2 apply.
4. Nets shall be measured only when wet and unfrozen.
D. Measurements of each mesh
The size of each mesh shall be the width of the gauge at the point where the gauge is stopped when it is used in accordance with paragraph B.
E. Determination of the mesh size of the net
The mesh size of the net shall be the arithmetical mean, in millimetres, of the measurements of the total number of meshes selected and measured as provided for in paragraphs C and D, the arithmetical mean being rounded up to the nearest millimetre.
The total number of meshes to be measured is specified in paragraph F.
F. Sequence of inspection procedure
1. The inspector shall measure one series of 20 meshes, selected in accordance with paragraph C, inserting the gauge manually without using a weight or dynamometer.
The mesh size of the net shall then be determined in accordance with paragraph E.
If the calculation of the mesh size shows that the mesh size does not appear to comply with the rules in force, two additional series of 20 meshes selected in accordance with paragraph C shall be measured.
The mesh size shall then be recalculated in accordance with paragraph E, taking into account the 60 meshes already measured. Without prejudice to 2 this shall be the mesh size of the net.
2. If the master of the vessel contests the mesh size determined in accordance with 1, such measurement shall not be considered for the determination of the mesh size and the net shall be remeasured, using a weight or dynamometer attached to the gauge; the choice of weight or dynamometer shall be left to the discretion of the inspector. The weight shall be fixed (using a hook) to the hole in the narrowest extremity of the gauge. The dynamometer may either be fixed to the hole in the narrowest extremity of the gauge or be applied at the widest extremity of the gauge. The accuracy of the weight or dynamometer shall be certified by the appropriate national authority.
For nets of a mesh size of 35 mm or less as determined in accordance with 1, a force of 19,61 newtons (equivalent to a mass of two kilograms) shall be applied and a force of 49,03 newtons (equivalent to a mass of five kilograms), shall be applied for other nets.
For the purposes of determining the mesh size in accordance with paragraph E, only one series of 20 meshes shall be measured wherever a weight or dynamometer is used.
ANNEX III
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE STREAMER LINE REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 8(5) AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT
1. The streamer line is to be suspended at the stern from a point approximately 4,5 m above the water and such that the line is directly above the point where the baits hit the water.
2. The streamer line is to be approximately 3 mm diameter, have a minimum length of 150 m and have a device at the end to create tension so that the main line streams directly behind the vessel even in cross winds.
3. At 5 m intervals commencing from the point of attachment to the vessel five branch streamers each comprising two strands of approximately 3 mm diameter cord should be attached. The length of the streamer should range between approximately 3,50 m nearest the vessel to approximately 1,25 m for the fifth streamer. When the streamer line is deployed the branch streamers should reach the sea surface and periodically dip into it when the vessel heaves. Swivels should be placed in the streamer line at the towing point, before and after the point of attachment of each branch streamer and immediately before any weight placed on the end of the streamer line. Each branch streamer should also have a swivel at its attachment to the streamer line.
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ANNEX IV
EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOLS FOR THE SETTING OF LONGLINES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 8(7)
PROTOCOL A
A1. The vessel shall, under observation by a scientific observer:
(a) set a minimum of five longlines with a minimum of four time depth recorders (TDR) on each line;
(b) place TDRs at random on the longline within and between sets;
(c) calculate an individual sink rate for each TDR when returned to the vessel, where:
(i) the sink rate shall be measured as an average of the time taken to sink from the surface (0 m) to 15 m; and
(ii) this sink rate shall be at a minimum rate of 0,3 m/s;
(d) if the minimum sink rate (0,3 m/s) is not achieved at all 20 sample points, repeat the test until such time as a total of 20 tests with a minimum sink rate of 0,3 m/s are recorded; and
(e) all equipment and fishing gear used in the tests is to be the same as that to be used in the Convention area.
A2. During fishing, for a vessel to maintain the exemption from night-time setting requirements, continuous line sink monitoring shall be undertaken by the CCAMLR scientific observer. The vessel shall cooperate with the CCAMLR observer who shall:
(a) seek to place a TDR on every longline set during the observer's shift;
(b) every seven days place all available TDRs on a single longline to determine any sink rate variation along the line;
(c) place TDRs at random on the longline within and between sets;
(d) calculate an individual rate for each TDR when returned to the vessel; and
(e) measure the sink rate as an average of the time taken to sink from the surface (0 m) to 15 m.
A3. The vessel shall:
(a) ensure the average sink rate is at a minimum of 0,3 m/s;
(b) report daily to the fishery manager; and
(c) ensure that data collected from line sink trials is recorded in the approved format and submitted to the fishery manager at the end of the season.
PROTOCOL B
B1. The vessel shall, under observation by a scientific observer:
(a) set a minimum of five longlines of the maximum length to be used in the Convention area with a minimum of four bottle tests (see paragraphs B5 to B9) on the middle one-third of the longline;
(b) place test bottles at random on the longline within and between sets, noting that all tests should be applied halfway between weights;
(c) calculate an individual sink rate for each bottle test where the sink rate shall be measured as the time taken for the longline to sink from the surface (0 m) to 10 m;
(d) this sink rate shall be at a minimum rate of 0,3 m/s;
(e) if the minimum sink rate is not achieved at all 20 sample points (four tests on five lines), continue testing until such time as a total of 20 tests with a minimum sink rate of 0,3 m/s are recorded; and
(f) all equipment and fishing gear used in the tests is to be to the same specifications as that to be used in the Convention area.
B2. During fishing, for a vessel to maintain the exemption provided for in Article 7(8), regular line sink rate monitoring shall be undertaken by the CCAMLR scientific observer. The vessel shall cooperate with the CCAMLR observer who shall:
(a) aim to conduct a bottle test on every longline set during the observer's shift, noting that the test should be undertaken on the middle one-third of the line;
(b) every seven days place at least four test bottles on a single longline to determine any sink rate variation along the line;
(c) place test bottles at random on the longline within and between sets, noting that all bottles should be attached halfway between weights;
(d) calculate an individual sink rate for each bottle test; and
(e) measure the line sink rate as the time taken for the line to sink from the surface (0 m) to 10 m.
B3. The vessel shall whilst operating under this exemption:
(a) ensure that all longlines are weighted to achieve a minimum line sink rate of 0,3 m/s at all times;
(b) report daily to its national agency on the achievement of this target; and
(c) ensure that data collected from line sink rate monitoring are recorded in the approved format and submitted to the relevant national agency at the end of the season.
B4. A bottle test is to be conducted as described below.
Bottle set-up
B5. 10 m of 2 mm multifilament nylon snood twine, or equivalent, is securely attached to the neck of a 750 ml plastic bottle(1) (buoyancy about 0,7 kg) with a longline clip attached to the other end. The length measurement is taken from the attachment point (terminal end of the clip) to the neck of the bottle, and should be checked by the observer every few days.
B6. Reflective adhesive tape should be wrapped around the bottle to allow it to be observed at night. A piece of waterproof paper with a unique identifying number large enough to be read from a few metres away should be placed inside the bottle.
Test
B7. The bottle is emptied of water, the stopper is left open and the twine is wrapped around the body of the bottle for setting. The bottle with the encircled twine is attached to the longline(2), midway between weights (the attachment point).
B8. The observer records the time at which the attachment point enters the water as t1 in seconds(3). The time at which the bottle is observed to be pulled completely under is recorded as t2 in seconds. The result of the test is calculated as follows:
Line sink rate = 10/(t2 - t1)
B9. The result should be 0,3 m/s or more. These data are to be recorded in the space provided in the electronic observer logbook.
(1) A plastic water bottle that has a hard plastic screw-on stopper is needed. The stopper of the bottle is left open so that the bottle will fill with water after being pulled under water. This allows the plastic bottle to be re-used rather than being crushed by water pressure.
(2) On autolines attach to the backbone; on the Spanish longline system attach to the hookline.
(3) Binoculars will make this process easier to view, especially in foul weather.
ANNEX V
RULES CONCERNING BY-CATCHES IN THE FISHERIES CARRIED OUT IN THE CONVENTION AREA
A. Regulated fisheries
1. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides in FAO statistical sub-area 48.3, the by-catch of any species is one tonne or more in any one haul or set, the fishing vessel shall move to another fishing location not closer than five nautical miles distant. The fishing vessel shall not return to any point within a radius of five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch exceeded one tonne, for a period of at least five days.
2. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Champsocephalus gunnari in FAO statistical sub-area 48.3, the by-catch in any one haul of any of the following species: Chaenocephalus aceratus, Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Lepidonotothen squamifrons, Notothenia rossii, or Pseudochaenichthys georgianus,
(a) is greater than 100 kg and exceeds five percent of the total catch of all fish by weight,
or
(b) is two tonnes or more, then
the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least five nautical miles distant. It shall not return to any point within a radius of five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch of the above species exceeded five percent for a period of at least five days.
3. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides or Champsocephalus gunnari in FAO statistical division 58.5.2, the by-catch in any one haul of Channichthys rhinoceratus, Lepidonotothen squamifrons, Macrourus spp., or skates and rays, is two tonnes or more, the fishing vessel shall not fish using that method of fishing at any point within five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch of the above species exceeded two tonnes for a period of at least five days.
If, in the course of the above fisheries, the by-catch in any one haul of any other by-catch species for which limits have been imposed under Community rules is one tonne or more, the fishing vessel shall not fish using that method of fishing at any point within five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch of the above species exceeded one tonne for a period of at least five days.
4. If, in the course of the directed fishery for Electrona carlsbergi in FAO statistical sub-area 48.3, the by-catch in any one haul of a species other than the target species:
(a) is greater than 100 kg and exceeds five percent of the total catch of all fish by weight,
or
(b) is two tonnes or more, then
the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least five nautical miles distant. It shall not return to any point within a radius of five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch of species other than the target species exceeded five percent for a period of at least five days.
5. The location where the by-catch exceeds the quantities referred to in points 1 to 4 is defined as the path followed by the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear is first deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear is retrieved by the fishing vessel.
B. New and exploratory fisheries
1. If the by-catch of any one species is equal to or greater than one tonne in any one haul or set, then the fishing vessel shall move to another location at least five nautical miles distant. It shall not return to any point within a radius of five nautical miles of the location where the by-catch exceeded one tonne for a period of at least five days. The location where the by-catch exceeded one tonne is defined as the path followed by the fishing vessel from the point at which the fishing gear is first deployed from the fishing vessel to the point at which the fishing gear is retrieved by the fishing vessel.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1:
(a) by-catch is constituted by catches of any species other than the target species;
(b) Macrourus spp. and skates and rays should each be counted as a single species.
ANNEX VI
RESEARCH HAULS IN THE FISHERY FOR CHAMPSOCEPHALUS GUNNARI IN FAO STATISTICAL SUB-AREA 48.3 DURING THE SPAWNING SEASON
1. Twelve research hauls shall be carried out in the Shag Rocks/Black Rocks area. These shall be distributed between the four sectors illustrated in Figure 1: four each in the NW and SE sectors, and two each in the NE and SW sectors. A further eight research hauls shall be conducted on the north-western shelf of South Georgia over water less than 300 m deep, as illustrated in Figure 1.
2. Each research haul must be at least five nautical miles distant from all others. The spacing of stations is intended to be such that both areas are adequately covered in order to provide information about the length, sex, maturity and weight composition of Champsocephalus gunnari.
3. If concentrations of fish are located en route to South Georgia, they should be fished in addition to the research hauls.
4. The duration of research hauls must be of a minimum of 30 minutes with the net at fishing depth. During the day, the net must be fished close to the bottom.
5. The catch of all research hauls shall be sampled by the international scientific observer on board. Samples should aim to comprise at least 100 fish, sampled using standard random sampling techniques. All fish in the sample should be at least examined for length, sex and maturity determination, and where possible weight. More fish should be examined if the catch is large and time permits.
Figure 1:
Distribution of 20 exploratory fishing hauls on Champsocephalus gunnari at Shag Rocks (12) and South Georgia (8) from 1 March to 31 May. Haul locations around South Georgia (stars) are illustrative.
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ANNEX VII
FUNCTIONS AND TASKS OF SCIENTIFIC OBSERVERS ON BOARD VESSELS ENGAGED IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OR HARVESTING OF MARINE LIVING RESOURCES IN THE CONVENTION AREA REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 15(2)
A. The function of scientific observers on board vessels engaged in scientific research or harvesting of marine living resources is to observe and report on the operation of fishing activities in the Convention area with the objectives and principles of the Convention in mind.
B. In fulfilling this function, scientific observers will undertake the following tasks using the observation formats approved by the CCAMLR Scientific Committee:
(a) record details of the vessel's operation (e.g. partition of time between searching, fishing, transit etc., and details of hauls);
(b) take samples of catches to determine biological characteristics;
(c) record biological data by species caught;
(d) record by-catches, their quantity and other biological data;
(e) record entanglement and incidental mortality of sea birds and mammals;
(f) record the procedure by which declared catch weight is measured and collect data relating to the conversion factor between green weight and final product in the event that catch is recorded on the basis of weight of processed product;
(g) prepare reports of their observations using the observation formats approved by the Scientific Committee and submit them to their respective authorities;
(h) submit copies of reports to masters of vessels;
(i) assist, if requested, the master of the vessel in the catch recording and reporting procedures;
(j) undertake other tasks as may be decided by mutual agreement of the parties concerned to the bilateral agreement applicable;
(k) collect and report factual data on sightings of fishing vessels in the Convention area, including vessel type identification, position and activity; and
(l) collect information on fishing gear loss and waste disposal by fishing vessels at sea.
