Article 2 Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:

1. (1)

   ‘Seltra panel’ means a selectivity device which:

   • consists of a top panel of at least 270 mm mesh size (diamond mesh) placed in a four-panel section and mounted with a joining ratio of three meshes of 90 mm to one mesh of 270 mm, or of a top panel of at least 140 mm mesh size (square mesh);

   • is at least 3 metres long;

   • is positioned no more than 4 metres from the cod line; and

   • is the full width of the top sheet of the trawl (i.e. from selvedge to selvedge).

2. (2)

   ‘Netgrid selectivity device’ means a selectivity device consisting of a four panel section inserted into a two-panel trawl with an inclined sheet of diamond mesh netting with a mesh size of at least 200 mm, leading to an escape hole in the top of the trawl.

3. (3)

   ‘Flemish panel’ means the last tapered netting section of a beam trawl whose:

   • posterior is directly attached to the cod-end;

   • upper and lower netting sections are constructed of at least 120 mm mesh as measured between the knots;

   • stretched length is at least 3 m.

4. (4)

   ‘Benthos release panel’ means a panel of larger mesh or square mesh netting fitted into the lower panel of a trawl, usually a beam trawl to release any benthic material and seabed debris before it passes into the F1cod-end;

5. (5)

   ‘SepNep’ means an otter trawl which:

   • is constructed within the mesh size range of 80 to 99 +≥ 100 mm;

   • is fitted with multiple cod-ends of mesh sizes ranging from at least 80 to 120 mm attached to a single extension piece, the uppermost cod-end being constructed with a mesh size of at least 120 mm and fitted with a separation panel with a maximum mesh size of 105 mm F2, except that in United Kingdom waters of ICES division 4b the uppermost cod-end may be constructed with square meshes of at least 80 mm; and

   • may furthermore be fitted with an optional selection grid with a bar spacing of at least 17 mm provided it is constructed in such a way so as to allow the escape of small Norway lobster;

6. (6)

   F3‘cod-end’ means the rearmost part of the trawl, having either a cylindrical shape, with the same circumference throughout, or a tapering shape. It may be made up of one or more panels attached to one another along their sides and includes any lengthening piece which is made up of one of more panels located just in front of the cod-end;

7. (7)

   F4‘the English zone’ has the meaning given in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241