Appendix 2 to Annex III Specifications fo the Sorting grid for 70 mm trawl fisheryF1

The species selective grid shall be attached in trawls with full square mesh codend with a mesh size equal to or larger than 70 mm and smaller than 90 mm. The minimum length of the codend shall be 8 m. It shall be prohibited to use any trawl having more than 100 square meshes in any circumference of the codend, excluding the joining or the selvedges.

The grid shall be rectangular. The bars of the grid shall be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grid. The bar spacing of the grid shall not exceed 35 mm. It shall be permitted to use one or more hinges in order to facilitate its storage on the net drum.

The grid shall be mounted diagonally in the trawl, upwards backwards, anywhere from just in front of the codend to the anterior end of the untapered section. All sides of the grid shall be attached to the trawl.

In the upper panel of the trawl there shall be an unblocked fish outlet in immediate connection to the upper side of the grid. The opening of the fish outlet shall have the same width in the posterior side as the width of the grid and shall be cut out to a tip in the anterior direction along mesh bars from both sides of the grid.

It shall be permitted to attach in front of the grid a funnel to lead the fish towards the trawl floor and grid. The minimum mesh size of the funnel shall be 70 mm. The minimum vertical opening of the guiding funnel towards the grid shall be 15 cm. The width of the guiding funnel towards the grid shall be the grid width.

Schematic illustration of a size and species selective trawl. Entering fish is lead towards the trawl floor and grid via a leading funnel. Larger fish is then led out of the trawl by the grid while smaller fish and Norway lobster pass through the grid and enter the codend. The full square mesh codend enhance escapement of small fish and undersized Norway lobster.