§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the practice of his officials to prohibit the use of nets between 70 and 90mm in the United Kingdom nephrops fishery where the square mesh panel is fitted forward of any flapper as an alternative to placing it three flapper lengths to the rear of the flapper.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 12 May 1994]: Article 4(1) and (2) of the Sea Fish (Specified Sea Areas) (Regulation of Nets and Other Fishing Gear)(Variation) Order 1991, as amended, sets out the requirements for the use of square mesh panels in nets of between 70–90mm mesh size used for nephrops fishing in ICES area IV (north Sea).
Guidance to Fishery Officers was issued in December 1993 to confirm that square mesh panels should be sited either in the cod-end or in any extension piece, or immediately in front of any cod-end or any extension piece, as required by article 4(1)(c). Article 4(1)(f) sets out additional requirements in relation to any flappers that may be used, and allows the panel to be placed forward of any flapper.