Regulations relating to the design and mounting of sorting grids in shrimp trawls

On 15 January 2008, pursuant to section 4 of the Act of 3 June 1983 No. 40 relating to sea-water fisheries, section 91 of the Regulations of 22 December 2004 relating to sea-water fisheries, section 4 of the Act of 17 December 1976 No. 91 relating to the Economic Zone of Norway, section 13 of the Royal Decree of 13 May 1977 relating to fishing and hunting operations by foreign nationals in the Economic Zone of Norway, section 3 of the Royal Decree of 3 June 1977 relating to a fisheries protection zone around Svalbard, section 6a of the Regulations of 21 September 1994 relating to mesh sizes, bycatches and minimum sizes, etc, for fishing in the fisheries protection zone around Svalbard, section 4 of the Act of 17 July 1925 relating to Spitsbergen, section 1 of the Royal Decree 28 April 1978 relating to regulatory measures for fishing in the territorial and internal waters of Svalbard and section 6a of the Regulations of 21 September 1994 relating to mesh size, bycatches, minimum sizes, etc., in fishing operations in the territorial and internal waters of Svalbard § 6a, the Directorate of Fisheries laid down the following regulations:

§ 1 Distance between bars
The distance between the bars of the sorting grid shall not exceed 19 mm.

§ 2 Mounting
The sorting grid shall be mounted across the trawl, in such a way that all sides of the grid are attached to the trawl. If two lastridge ropes are used, the centre of the grid shall be attached to the selvedges. If a different number of lastridge ropes is used, the grid shall be attached to the natural midpoint of the extension. The sorting grid is to be mounted in front of the codend or in the extension of the codend.

The angle at which the sorting grid is mounted shall not exceed 50°. If a long metal grid is used, the angle at which the sorting grid is mounted shall not exceed 30°.

§ 3 Fish outlet
There shall be a fish outlet in the upper panel of the trawl, in front of the upper edge of the sorting grid, to direct fish that have been separated from the catch away from the trawl.

The opening of the fish outlet shall be in front of the upper edge of the sorting grid. The rear edge of the fish outlet shall be of the same width as the sorting grid. The opening is made by means of bar cuts running from the top corners of the grid to form a triangle.

§ 4 Guiding funnel/panel
It is permitted to use a guiding funnel/panel. If this is done, the distance between the lower edge of the sorting grid and the guiding funnel/panel shall not be less than 50 cm.

The mesh size of the guiding funnel/panel may be less than 35 mm.

§ 5 Supporting chain/supporting rope
It is permitted to use a supporting chain/rope to stabilise the angle of the grid. If this is used, the following restrictions apply:

a) The chain/rope shall be at least as long as the distance between the point where the grid is attached to the lastridge to the point where the chain/rope is attached to the lastridge, plus half the installation length of the grid, as measured along the lastridge.

b) The distance between the point where the grid is attached to the lastridge and the point where the chain/rope is attached to the lastridge shall not be more than 1.6 metres if a standard grid is used and 2 metres if a long grid is used.

§ 6 Specifications
The frame of the grid may be made of aluminium, steel or plastic.

The bars may be made of aluminium, steel or fibreglass. The diameter of the bars may be between 8 and 20 mm. To provide flexibility, the diameter should be between 8 and 10 mm if the bars are of fibreglass, between 10 and 12 mm if they are of aluminium and 20 mm if they are of HDPE plastic.

The largest permitted dimensions (length x breadth) for a standard grid are 1.50 m x 1.30 m if the frame is made of aluminium or steel and 1.50 m x 1.50 m if the frame is made of plastic.

The largest permitted dimensions (length x breadth) for a long grid are 2.50 m x 1.30 m if the frame is made of aluminium or steel. If the frame is made of plastic, the largest permitted dimensions are as follows:

a) 2.00 m x 1.50 m (“Iceland grid”/ “Canada grid”)

b) 2.44 m x 1.22 m (“Cosmos grid”)

c) 2.44 m x 1.72 m (“Cosmos grid” with bars that are drop-shaped in cross section).

§ 7 Penalties and confiscation
Any person who wilfully or negligently contravenes these regulations is liable to a penalty pursuant to section 53 of the Act of 3 June 1983 No. 40 relating to sea-water fisheries, section 8 of the Act of 17 December 1976 No. 91 relating to the Economic Zone of Norway and section 4 of the Act of 17 July 1925 relating to Spitsbergen. Complicity or an attempt to contravene the said provisions is subject to the same penalty. Confiscation may be effected pursuant to section 54 of the Act relating to Sea-water Fisheries and section 9 of the Act relating to the Economic Zone of Norway.

§ 8 Entry into force
These regulations enter into force immediately. From the same date, the Regulations of 14 September 2000 relating to the design and mounting of sorting grids in shrimp trawls, issued by the Directorate of Fisheries, are repealed.