Code of Massachusetts Regulations
322 CMR - Division of Marine Fisheries
Title 322 CMR 5.00 - Northern Shrimp
Section 5.05 - Gear Restrictions

Universal Citation: 322 MA Code of Regs 322.5

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Net Mesh Size.

(a) It is unlawful to fish for, have on board, land, transport, or have in possession shrimp on any vessel which:
1. is rigged for otter trawling with any net having a mesh opening of less than 13/4 inches stretched mesh opening between knots; or

2. has onboard any net, netting or portions thereof, having a mesh opening of less than 13/4 inches stretched mesh opening between knots, except for the optional webbing funnel that may be constructed of one inch webbing.

(b) Mesh size shall be measured by a flat wedge shaped gauge, having a taper of four cm in 20 cm and a thickness of 2.3 mm, inserted into the mesh under a pressure or pull of 1.9 kg. or by any other approved and certified net measurement gauge including the caliper gauge called the Marfish Gauge.

(2) Use of Net Strengtheners and Chafing Gear.

(a) Net Strengtheners. An outer mesh may be used as a cod-end strengthener while fishing for shrimp. The outer mesh opening must be a minimum of six inches and at least three times larger than the size of the inner mesh. The mesh may be single or double twine and diamond or square in shape. The hanging ratio must be the same as the mesh size ratio. Hanging ratio shall mean the number of meshes in the circumference of the cod-end to the number of meshes in the circumference of the strengthener. The mesh size ratio shall mean the number of inner meshes to the number of outer meshes. The outer mesh may only cover the cod-end. No chafing gear may be used on a net with a cod-end strengthener.

(b) Chafing Gear. If the cod-end does not have a net strengthener, then it shall be lawful to attach chafing gear to the lower half of the circumference of the cod-end.

(3) Finfish Excluder System. It is unlawful for any vessel to fish for, have on board, land, transport or possess shrimp unless said vessel is equipped with a single or double Nordmore Grate System consisting of a properly installed rigid or semi-rigid grate, a fish outlet (hole) in the extension of the trawl forward of the cod end and an optional webbing funnel installed in front of the grate designed to direct the catch toward the grate to maximize retention of shrimp.

(a) Single Nordmore Grate System. The System shall be constructed and installed as follows:
1. parallel bars of the grate shall be oriented to facilitate the escapement of fish out of the outlet by pointing toward the outlet.

2. grate shall be tilted at approximately a 45' angle from the vertical plane.

3. frame or perimeter of the grate shall be secured to the extension piece of the trawl to prevent passage of fish between the frame of the grate and the webbing of the extension into the codend.

4. triangular base of the fish outlet shall be aligned with the apex of the opening forward and shall be attached to the rear portion of the tilted grate closest to the cod end so that no lip or protruding edge of webbing is present to impede the escape of finfish.

5. base of the triangular opening shall not be less than 19 inches in length. The sides of the triangular outlet shall taper to a forward (toward the mouth of the trawl) apex and shall be cut "all bars" to achieve the triangular shaped opening. The fish outlet may be positioned at the top or bottom of the extension.

6. optional webbing funnel shall be constructed of webbing or mesh not less than 1 3/8" and shall be located in the extension in front of the grate. The circumference of the front of the funnel shall match the circumference of the extension, and the outlet of the funnel shall be of sufficient diameter to allow the passage of fish captured by the trawl. The funnel shall be secured to the grate in such a manner that the funnel mouth will be directed to the part of the grate furthest from the fish outlet to maximize the separation characteristics of the grate.

(b) Double Nordmore Grate System. A double Nordmore Grate is a second grate placed behind the single Nordmore Grate for the purposes of releasing small shrimp from the net while retaining larger shrimp. In addition to the features listed in the single Nordmore Grate System, the Double Nordmore Grate System must have the following features:
1. A second grate must be positioned at least six feet but not more than ten feet behind the first grate.

2. The second grate must be hung at the same orientation as the first grate

3. The space between the bars of the second grate shall be 7/16".

4. The exit holes to the cod-end must be at the top and no more than 10% of the surface area.

5. A funnel in front of the second grate designed to direct catch toward the grate to maximize the retention of the shrimp may be used but may not have mesh lass than 1/38" stretched mesh.

6. A one inch mesh panel behind the second grate 45 [degrees] down from the top of bars to the bottom of the cod-end.

7. An escape hole in the cod-end in front of the one inch panel.

(4)Additional restrictions. It is unlawful for any vessel to fish for shrimp with a net having:

(a) more than 90 feet between the trawl doors and trawl wings, including the ground cables, bridles, and legs.

(b) bottom legs of other than bare or uncovered wire or chain.

(5)Approved excluder trawls. The Director may approve the experimental use of alternative finfish excluder systems based on evaluation and recommendations by the Director's conservation engineering personnel

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