Gear Restriction definition
Gear Restriction. Vessels will use otter trawls, hooks or gillnets. Hook Size: All tub trawl and longline hooks must be 12/0 circle hooks or larger unless an exemption is approved for the 2019-2020 fishing years. (Handline hooks have no minimum size.) For these purposes, a “circle hook” is defined as a hook with the point turned back towards the shank and the barbed end of the hook is displaced (offset) relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank of the hook when laid on its side. Mesh size: All otter trawl mesh must be 6 ½ inch mesh or larger. Spawning Season Restrictions: Sector Vessels are not required to adhere to the seasonal closure on Georges Bank (May 1 through May 31). Participating vessels are exempt from existing “rolling closures” with the exception of the designated inshore spawning areas, including the Whaleback Ridge closure. However, all vessels need to abide by new spawning closures as defined in Amendment 16.