The Ministry of Agriculture implements a minimum mesh size system for permitted and transitional fishing gear used in marine capture

In order to strengthen the management of fishing gear, consolidate the results of the special action to clean up and rectify illegal fishing gear, and protect marine fishery resources, in accordance with the "Fishery Law of the People's Republic of China," the "Provisions on the Conservation of Biological Resources in the Bohai Sea," and the "Program of Action for the Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources in China," the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to implement a system of minimum mesh size for permitted fishing gear and transitional fishing gear for marine capture. The notice is hereby issued as follows:

I. Implementation Time and Scope

From June 1, 2014, the system of minimum mesh size for permitted fishing gear and transitional fishing gear for marine capture shall be fully implemented in the three sea areas of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. For the relevant minimum mesh size standards, see Annexes 1 and 2.

II. Main Content

(1) Based on the existing scientific research foundation and the actual situation of fishing production, the system of minimum mesh size for marine capture fishing gear is divided into two major categories: permitted fishing gear and transitional fishing gear. Permitted fishing gear is marine capture fishing gear that the state allows to be used. Transitional fishing gear will, according to the needs of protecting marine fishery resources, be converted respectively into permitted or prohibited fishing gear in the future, and this will be announced.

(2) For gillnet operations whose main catch species are needlefish, scaled sardine, yellow croaker, anchovy, Sillago sihama, Sillago japonica, whitebait, Stolephorus, and other fish species, the fishery administrative departments of each province (autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government) shall implement licensed operations in accordance with the minimum mesh size standards determined this time, and shall define the specific operation time and operation areas. For trawl nets whose main catch species is anchovy, for stow nets whose main catch species are Acetes and eel fry, and for purse seine nets whose main catch species are specific fish species such as scaled sardine, Mugil cephalus, Clupanodon punctatus, golden sardine, and Stolephorus, the fishery administrative departments of each province (autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government) shall, based on the actual situation of fishing production, separately formulate minimum mesh sizes and strictly define the specific operation time and operation areas. The above licensed provisions must all be reported to the Fisheries Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture for filing and approval before implementation by April 1, 2014. The licensed provisions of each locality will be made public on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate fishermen's inquiries and supervision.

(3) The fishery administrative departments of each province (autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government) may, on the basis of the minimum mesh size standards stipulated in this notice, and according to the fishery resource conditions and production reality of their region, formulate stricter minimum mesh size standards for marine capture fishing gear and report them to the Fisheries Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture for filing.

III. Measurement Methods

⟧ According to the provisions of GB/T 6964—2010, a flat wedge-shaped mesh inner diameter measuring instrument shall be used for measurement. When measuring mesh length, the mesh shall be fully stretched along the longitudinal direction of knotted netting or the long axis direction of knotless netting, and the inner diameter of 5 adjacent meshes shall be measured one by one each time, with the minimum value taken as the mesh inner diameter of that netting section. When measuring triple gillnets, the minimum mesh size of the innermost netting shall be measured; for double gillnets, the minimum mesh size of the netting with the smaller meshes among the two layers shall be measured. The fishery administrative departments of each province (autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government) may, in light of local realities, formulate simple and easy-to-implement measurement methods on the basis of the above provisions.

IV. Relevant Requirements

(1) Before June 1, 2014, owners and users of fishing gear smaller than the minimum mesh size must adjust and replace it as soon as possible in accordance with the above standards, and law enforcement agencies shall still conduct enforcement in accordance with the existing national mesh size provisions.

(2) From June 1, 2014, it is prohibited to use fishing gear smaller than the minimum mesh size for fishing. Fishery law enforcement agencies at all levels along the coast shall, in accordance with this notice, conduct law enforcement inspections on the mesh conditions of fishing gear carried and used by fishing vessels at sea, on mudflats, and in ports. Those who use fishing gear smaller than the minimum mesh size for fishing shall be punished in accordance with Article 38 of the "Fishery Law," and all or part of the fishery fuel oil subsidy funds for the year shall be deducted. For fishing vessels carrying fishing gear smaller than the minimum mesh size, they shall be handled and punished as using fishing gear smaller than the minimum mesh size.

(3) It is strictly prohibited to install lining nets inside trawl nets and other fishing gear with codends. Once discovered, they shall be handled and punished as violating the minimum mesh size provisions.

(4) From March 1, 2014, those newly applying for or renewing a "Fishing License" must fill it in in accordance with the fishing gear names and main catch species listed in the annexes to this notice. At the same time, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the "approved operation content" in the format of the "Fishing License" in Ministry of Agriculture Announcement No. 1100 and No. 1288, as detailed in Annex 3.

(5) This notice shall take effect on June 1, 2014, and the "Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China on the Implementation of the Minimum Mesh Size System for Marine Capture Nets" (No. 2) issued on October 28, 2003 shall be abolished at the same time.

Notice is hereby given.

Annexes:

1. Relevant Standards for Minimum Mesh (or Codend) Size of Permitted Marine Capture Fishing Gear

2. Relevant Standards for Minimum Mesh (or Codend) Size of Transitional Marine Capture Fishing Gear

⟧ 3. Revised Format and Instructions for Filling in the "Approved Operation Content" in the "Fishing License"

  Ministry of Agriculture

November 29, 2013

Annex 1

                Relevant Standards for Minimum Mesh (or Codend) Size of Permitted Marine Capture Fishing Gear

Annex 2

Relevant Standards for Minimum Mesh (or Codend) Size of Transitional Marine Capture Fishing Gear

Annex 3  Revised Format and Instructions for Filling in the “Approved Operation Content” in the “Fishing License”

Approved Operation Content (Before Adjustment)

Approved Operation Content (After Adjustment)