Appendix 1 to Annex IVa

Any vessel using this gear type shall hold a special fishing permit in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1627/94.

A copy of the special permits referred to in point 1 shall be kept on board the fishing vessel.

When holding the special fishing permit the vessel shall only keep on board and use a towed net with an exit window as specified point 4. The gear shall be approved by the national inspectors before commencing fishing.

1. (a)

   The window shall be inserted in the untapered section with a minimum of 80 open meshes in the circumference. F1The window shall be inserted into the top panel. There shall be no more than two open diamond meshes between the posterior row of meshes in the side of the window and the adjacent selvedge. The window shall terminate no more than 6 metres from the cod-line. The joining rate shall be two diamond meshes to one square mesh.

2. (b)

   X1The window shall be at least three metres in length. The meshes shall have a minimum opening of 120 mm. The meshes shall be square meshes i.e. all four sides of the window netting will be cut all bars. The netting shall be mounted such that the bars run parallel and perpendicular to the length of the cod-end.

3. (c)

   The netting of square-meshed panel shall be knotless single twine. The window shall be inserted in such a way that the meshes remain fully open at all times when fishing. The window shall not be obstructed in any way by either internal or external attachments.