Description
Bottom otter trawl (FAO code OTB 03.12): a trawl net operating on or near the seabed, consisting of a conical body, usually with two to four sides, ending in a bag that retains the captured species. From the opening of the net, called the mouth, it is extended laterally by net panels called "wings". The mouth of the net is kept open by floats in the upper panel and ballast in the lower panel. The net is operated by a single vessel, with the horizontal opening of the mouth maintained by the traction of the trawl boards connected to the side wings.
Features
The number of meshes in the net, in width, must not increase from the front to the back of the net nor be lower at the mouth of the bag. Devices that obstruct or reduce the dimensions of the mesh or grid may not be attached. Liners and other devices provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 3440/84 of 6 December 1984 on the attachment of devices to trawl nets, Danish nets and similar nets may be used.
Mesh ranges
Depending on the target species:
- Fishing targeting crustaceans: minimum mesh size of 55 mm.
- Fishing targeting fish: minimum mesh size of 65 mm or 70 mm.
Target species
Bottom otter trawl fishing- targeting crustacean
Vessels authorized to use a minimum mesh size of 55 mm for crustaceans may also catch blue whiting.
They are prohibited from landing a greater quantity of cephalopods and fish, except blue whiting, than crustaceans per tide.
Bottom otter trawl fishing - targeting fish
Vessels authorized to use a minimum mesh size of 65 mm are prohibited from landing crustaceans in quantities exceeding 10% of the total landed, the composition of which must include at least 60% mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, and species not subject to catch limits.
If licensed only for the minimum mesh size of 70 mm, they are prohibited from landing crustaceans in quantities exceeding 30% of the total, of which a maximum of 10% may be crayfish.
Fishing for sardines (Sardina pilchardus) is prohibited in quantities exceeding 15% of the total on board at the time of unloading.
In trawling, if a mesh size of less than 70 mm is used, fishing for hake (Merluccius merluccius) is prohibited in quantities exceeding 20% ??of the total on board at the time of unloading.
Area of action
Bottom otter trawl fishing is prohibited within 6 miles of the coast. The 6-mile distance is measured, between Cape Raso, Cape Espichel, and Cape Sines, from their respective straight baselines.
Other conditions
On each trip, fishing vessels cannot operate nor have on board nets of different mesh sizes.
Fishing is prohibited in an area of ??the Vicentina Coast between 37º 50´N and 37º 00´N between December and February.
Fishing for crayfish is prohibited from May to August in an area off Sines (between 38º 10´N and 37º 45´N).
Legislation
| National Legislation | |
| Decree No. 198/2023, of July 11, which establishes the regulations for the practice of fishing using trawling gear. | Ordinance No 198/2023 |
| Decree No. 12/2024, of January 18, which amends Decree No. 198/2023, of July 11. | Ordinance No 12/2024 |
| EU Legislation | |
| Commission Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 including rules applicable to trawl net devices - consolidated version | Commission Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 |
| Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3440/84 of 6 December 1984 on the attachment of devices to trawls, Danish seines and similar nets | Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3440/84 Download |
| Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures | Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 Download |
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