13-188-11 Me. Code R. § 04

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024

Section 188-11-04 - Configuration of Scallop Drag

1. Minimum mesh size.

A. Twine top restrictions.

The mesh size of net material on the top of a scallop dredge in use by or in possession of vessels in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery shall not be smaller than 5.5 inches (13.97 cm).

(1) For vessels rigged with a dredge or dredges, and each individual dredge is greater than 8 ft (2.44 m) in width, there must be at least seven rows of non-overlapping steel rings unobstructed by netting or any other material, between the terminus of the dredge (club stick) and the net material on the top of the dredge (twine top).

(2) For vessels rigged with a dredge or dredges, and each individual dredge is greater than 3.5 ft (1.07 m) and less than or equal to 8 ft (2.44 m) in width, there must be at least four rows of non-overlapping steel rings unobstructed by netting or any other material, between the club stick and the twine top of the dredge.

(3) For vessels rigged with a dredge or dredges, and each individual dredge is 3.5 feet (1.07 m) or less in width, there must be at least one row of non-overlapping steel rings unobstructed by netting or any other material, between the club stick and the twine top around the circumference of the top of the dredge. The twine top must be hung on no more than two diamond meshes per ring on the top and bottom and a single diamond mesh per ring on the sides. Alternative designs may be approved by permit from the Commissioner.

B. Measurement of mesh size.

Mesh size is measured by using a wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm in 8 cm and a thickness of 2.3 mm, inserted into the meshes under a pressure or pull of 5 kg. The mesh size is the average of the measurements of any series of 20 consecutive meshes for nets having 75 or more meshes, and 10 consecutive meshes for nets having fewer than 75 meshes. The mesh in the regulated portion of the net will be measured at least five meshes away from the lacings running parallel to the long axis of the net.

2. Chafing gear and other gear obstructions.

A. Chafing gear restrictions.

No chafing gear or cookies shall be used on the top of a scallop dredge.

B. Link restrictions.

No more than double links between rings shall be used in or on all parts of the dredge bag, except the dredge bottom. No more than triple linking shall be used in or on the dredge bottom portion and the diamonds. Damaged links that are connected to only one ring, i.e., "hangers", are allowed, unless they occur between two links that both couple the same two rings. Dredge rings may not be attached via links to more than four adjacent rings. Thus, dredge rings must be rigged in a configuration such that, when a series of adjacent rings are held horizontally, the neighboring rings form a pattern of horizontal rows and vertical columns.

C. Dredge or net obstructions.

No material, device, net, dredge, ring, or link configuration or design shall be used if it results in obstructing the release of scallops that would have passed through a legal sized and configured net and dredge, as described in this part, that did not have in use any such material, device, net, dredge, ring, or link configuration or design.

3. Minimum Ring Size

A person may not use a drag to fish for or take scallops in the territorial waters with rings that measure less than 4 inches.

13-188 C.M.R. ch. 11, § 04