| (1) | A holder of a commercial west coast rock lobster permit shall use the deck grid sorters, traps and ringnets according to the specifications set out in this regulation. |
(2) For the purposes of this regulation—
| (a) | "frame" means the rectangular metal frame supporting the rods and supporting bar; |
| (b) | "grid" means the rods and supporting bar without the frame; and |
| (c) | "usable surface area" means the area measured from the inside edges of the frame (but excluding the two end gaps, if the gaps are less than the specified minimum). |
| (3) | A deck grid sorter used for sorting west coast rock lobster shall comply with the following specifications: |
| (a) | The grid and the frame shall be made from stainless steel or galvanised mild steel; |
| (b) | the grid shall be rectangular in shape with a minimum width of 750 mm; |
| (c) | the usable surface area shall not be less than 1,1 square meters; |
| (d) | the gap between adjoining rods, measured at any point shall be at least 41,6 mm but shall not exceed 42,4 mm; |
| (e) | the width of the gaps between the last rod and the frame shall not exceed 42,4 mm; |
| (f) | the frame shall consist of flat bars with a thickness of not less than 8 mm and a width of not less than 40 mm; |
| (g) | the two longitudinal bars forming the sides of the frame shall be drilled with a series of 16 mm clearance holes to accommodate the rods of the grid; |
| (h) | the two transverse bars shall be welded to the ends of the longitudinal bars to form a rectangular frame; |
| (i) | the pitch of the holes of the longitudinal bars shall be such that the gaps between the rods, when in position, are within the specified limits; |
| (j) | the grid shall consist of rods of a nominal diameter of 16 mm and a supporting bar with thickness of not less than 6 mm and a width of not less than 40 mm; |
| (k) | the supporting bar shall be centrally positioned between and parallel to the longitudinal bars of the frame and shall be drilled with a series of clearance holes matching those in the longitudinal bars; |
| (l) | the ends of the supporting bar shall be welded to the frame and the ends of the rods shall be tackwelded to the frame in such manner that the welds do not protrude above the outer surface of the frame; |
| (m) | in the case of stainless steel the welds shall be fusion welds done by the inert gas arc welding process or, in the case of stainless or mild steel, by any other welding process that produces a weld of which the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance are similar to those of the parent metal; and |
| (n) | all exposed surfaces shall be smooth and free of sharp edges or any other defects that may be injurious to a rock lobster. |
| (4) | West coast rock lobster taken on board any fishing vessel fitted with west coast rock lobster traps, shall be sorted forthwith by means of a deck grid sorter, and any such west coast rock lobster passing through the sorter shall be resumed to the sea without delay. |
| (5) | The master or owner of any fishing vessel that is being used for the fishing of west coast rock lobster shall not use or allow to be conveyed or have on board that fishing vessel any west coast rock lobster trap which does not comply with the following specifications, except on the authority of a permit— |
| (a) | The cod-end, measured from the bottom horizontal side of the trap shall not exceed 400 mm in length; |
| (b) | the mesh sizes of the cod-end shall not be less than 60 mm stretched or 30 mm bar, measured from inside of knot or joint to inside of knot or joint, that is links of at least 30 mm; |
| (c) | the net or netting with which the trap is covered shall be made from polyethylene; |
| (d) | the mesh sizes of the net or netting with which the trap is covered, with the exception of the opening or entrance funnels, shall not be less than 100 mm stretched or 50 mm bar from inside of knot or joint to inside of knot or joint; and |
| (e) | the net or netting on the horizontal and vertical sides of the trap shall be stretched in such manner that the openings of the mesh are rectangular at all times. |
| (6) | The owner or master of a fishing vessel used for the fishing of west coast rock lobster shall not have on board, use or allow to be used or transport on such fishing vessel a ringnet with a mesh less than 90 mm stretched (measured from inside of knot or joint to inside of knot or joint) or 45 mm bar and a cod-end longer than 1 200 mm measured from the point where it is attached to the ring: Provided that if west coast rock lobster is caught for the purpose of selling, the mesh of a ringnet shall not be less than 62 mm stretched (measured from inside of knot or joint to inside of knot or joint) or 31 mm bar. |
