Lake Michigan trawl configuration requirements

Lake Michigan trawl configuration requirements. Lake Michigan trawl configuration requirements. A trawl authorized under s. NR 25.09 (2) (d) 2. d. may consist of the sections and parts identified in this section (diagram). The trawl shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Headrope. The headrope shall have a maximum length of 140 feet, measured along the entire length from the first float to the last float. (2) Mesh. The trawl may consist of the different sections identified in this section (diagram). The size and measurement requirements for each of the mesh sections shall be as follows: (a) Section A – Wings. Mesh between the leading edge of the floats on the headrope and the trailing edge of the headrope, all of which shall have a minimum 4 ½ inches stretch measure. (b) Section B. Mesh from the wings to 30 feet behind the wings, all of which shall have a minimum 4 ½ inches stretch measure. (c) Section C. Mesh from 30 feet to 35 feet behind the wings, all of which shall have a minimum 3 ½ inches stretch measure. The fishing circle within Section C may not exceed 200 ft. in length around the circumference of the trawl. (d) Section D. Mesh further than 35 feet behind the wings, all of which shall have a minimum 1 ½ inches stretch measure and a maximum 3 ¾ inches stretch measure. The fishing circle where Section D is joined to Section E may not exceed 34 feet in length around the circumference of the trawl, when measured within the first 2 meshes of the Section D/E seam. (e) Section E – Cod End. 1. a. Rather than measuring stretch measure as described in s. NR 25.09 (4) (a) , the mesh size of the cod end shall be measured by either a bar measure or by the use of a dynamometer. b. For the bar measurement method, the length of 4 bars of mesh shall be measured from the inside of one knot to the inside of the next knot, to the nearest 1/16 inches. Until December 31, 2026, the sum of the 4-bar measurements may not be less than 8 7/16 inches. Beginning January 1, 2027, the sum of the 4-bar measurements may not be less than 9 inches. c. For the dynamometer measurement method, the dynamometer shall have incremental measurements labeled for the mesh size and to indicate the amount of force being exerted upon the mesh. Force being exerted upon the mesh must align with the 5 kg (11.02 pounds) incremental mark on the dynamometer when the mesh readings are observed. Two mesh readings, one on each side of the dynamometer along the twine of the cod end, shall be totaled and averaged resulting in the mesh size of that particular mesh. The mesh size shall not be less than 4 5/16 inches until December 31, 2026, and shall not be less than 4 1/2 inches beginning January 1, 2027. 2. The remaining measurement procedures in s. NR 25.09 (4) (b) , (c) , and (d) apply to measuring the cod end, except that the use of a one-pound weight is not required. Length may not exceed 18 feet as measured from the D/E seam to the furthest trailing mesh of the cod end. (3) Seams. Seams may be used to connect sections of mesh. Meshes of a seam are allowed to be out of compliance with the mesh requirements of the adjoining section, but the length of any seam may not exceed 12 inches. No more than 7 seams may be used in a trawl. (4) Measurements. To measure lengths of sections or seams of the trawl, the trawl shall be placed on a hard surface, stretched taut by two people, and then measured. The amount of tension required shall only be as taut as can reasonably be done by hand rather than under an exact amount of tension.