Mesh sizes
1. The use of trawl net having in any section thereof net meshes of dimensions less than 130 mm shall be prohibited for direct fishing of the groundfish species referred to in Annex VII. This mesh size may be reduced to a minimum of 60 mm for direct fishing of short-finned squid ( Illex illecebrosus ). For direct fishing of skates ( Rajidae ) this mesh size shall be increased to a minimum of 280 mm in the cod-end and 220 mm in all other parts of the trawl.
2. Vessels fishing for shrimp ( Pandalus borealis ) shall use nets with a minimum mesh size of 40 mm.
Attachments to nets
1. The use of any means or device other than those described in this Article which obstructs the meshes of a net or which diminishes their size shall be prohibited.
2. Canvas, netting or any other material may be attached to the underside of the cod-end in order to reduce or prevent damage.
3. Devices may be attached to the upper side of the cod-end provided that they do not obstruct the meshes of the cod-end. The use of top-side chafers shall be limited to those listed in Annex VIII.
4. Vessels fishing for shrimp ( Pandalus borealis ) shall use sorting grids or grates with a maximum spacing between bars of 22 mm. Vessels fishing for shrimp in Division 3L shall also be equipped with toggle chains of a minimum of 72 cm in length as described in Annex IX.
By-catches
1. Fishing vessels may not conduct directed fisheries for species for which by-catch limits apply. A directed fishery for a species is conducted when that species comprises the largest percentage by weight of the catch in any one haul.
2. By-catches of the species for which no quotas have been fixed by the Community for a part of the NAFO Regulatory Area and taken in that part when fishing directly for any species may not exceed for each species 2 500 kg or 10 % by weight of the total catch retained on board, whichever is the greater. However, in a part of the NAFO Regulatory Area where directed fishing of certain species is banned or an ‘others’ quota has been fully utilised, by-catches of each of the species listed in Annex ID shall not exceed 1 250 kg or 5 % respectively.
3. Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any haul exceed the limits laid down in paragraph 2, whichever is applicable, vessels shall immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the previous haul position. Whenever the total amounts of species subject to by-catch limits in any subsequent haul exceed those limits, vessels shall again immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the previous haul position and shall not return to the area for at least 48 hours.
4. Whenever total by-catches of all species in any haul exceed 5 % by weight in Division 3M and 2,5 % in Division 3L, vessels fishing for shrimp ( Pandalus borealis ) shall immediately move a minimum of five nautical miles from the position of the previous haul.
5. Catches of shrimp shall not be used in the calculation of by-catch level of groundfish species.
Minimum size of fish
1. Fish from the NAFO Regulatory Area which do not have the size required as set out in Annex X may not be processed, retained on board, trans-shipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea.
2. Where the quantity of caught fish not having the size required as set out in Annex X exceeds 10 % of the total quantity, the vessel shall move away to a distance of at least five nautical miles from any position of the previous haul before continuing fishing. Any processed fish for which minimum fish size requirements apply which is below a length equivalent in Annex X, shall be deemed to originate from fish that is below the minimum fish size.
