Annex SepNep gear specifications

Upper cod end (fish cod-end)

• Minimum mesh opening 120mm (between knots)

• Maximum 80 mesh round (including selvedges)

Lower cod end (Nephrops cod-end)

• Minimum mesh opening 80mm (between knots)

• Maximum 110 mesh round (including selvedges)

Separation panel

• The separation panel should be attached to all netting material of the trawl, so that the only way for a fish/Nephrops to enter the lower compartment of the trawl is by passing through the meshes of the panel. The panel should guide the large individuals towards the entrance of the upper cod-end. The start of the panel should be connected to the trawl belly.

• Maximum mesh opening 105mm (between knots)

• Minimum length panel 100# meshes

• Aft edge of the panel, maximum 16# mesh wide

• The front edge the panel should have a maximum width of 88 % of the trawl width. This equals for instance 2 panel meshes (105mm) on 3 trawl meshes (80mm).

  1. o

     Double knotted Dyneema advised for efficient functioning panel

  2. o

     Floats attached to under panel raise the fore section improving sieving efficiency for Nephrops

Grid (optional)

• The grid should be attached to all cod-end or extension netting material around the grid, preventing any form of free entrance to the lower cod-end other than upper openings of the grid.

• Minimum bar spacing 17mm

• Angle of the grid should be between 40 and 90 degree, but 45 is advised.

• Entrance to the lower cod-end should be on the upper section of the grid.

• The vertical grid entrance to the lower cod-end should be maximal 35 % of the combined length of the vertical bar openings and opening to the lower cod-end.

• Weighted curtain ropes (72gr/m, 6mm diameter) are connected to the upper section of the extension or cod-end, and should be at least 4 meshes before the bottom section of the grid.

• Weighted curtain ropes should be extended until they reach through the lower bars of the grid.