Description
Beam Trawl (FAO code TBB 03.11): a trawl net consisting of a conical body, usually with two to four sides, ending in a bag that retains the captured species, with the opening of the mouth ensured by a wooden or metal beam and/or by rigid lateral structures called ‘skates’.
Features
Maximum rod length: 7 m.
Maximum height of the skates or the vertical opening of the net mouth: 0.65 m.
Mesh ranges
- Minimum mesh size of 20 mm for shrimp fishing;
- Minimum mesh size of 35 mm for wedge sole fishing.
Target species
For nets with a minimum mesh size of 20 mm, the target species are shrimp (Palaemon serratus, Crangon crangon) and Henslow's swimming crab (Polybius henslowi), with a minimum percentage of 50% of target species per trip being respected at the time of landing.
For nets with a minimum mesh size of 35 mm, the target species are wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), squid (Loligo spp., Illex spp.), pout (Trisopterus luscus), cuttlefish (Sepia spp.), shrimp (Palaemon serratus, Crangon crangon), and Henslow's swimming crab (Polybius henslowi), with a minimum percentage of 90% of target species per trip being respected at the time of landing.
Fishing for species subject to catch limits at European level is prohibited in quantities exceeding 10% of the total on board at the time of unloading, without prejudice to the obligation to landing species subject to that regime.
Area of action
Allowed in the areas of jurisdiction of the port captaincies from Caminha to Figueira da Foz and up to a distance of 1.5 miles from the coast.
In the area of ??jurisdiction of the Esposende Maritime Delegation, up to and including the area of ??jurisdiction of the Figueira da Foz Port Captaincy, in the case of line trawling directed at wedge sole, it may be carried out up to a distance of 4 miles from the coast and at a minimum distance of ¼ mile from the coastline, a limit which, in the area of ??jurisdiction of the Aveiro Port Captaincy and the Figueira da Foz Port Captaincy, is ½ mile.
Other conditions
- Fishing targeting shrimp is only permitted from October 1st to March 31st, with fishing targeting wedge sole prohibited in June.
- Simultaneous licensing for fishing targeting shrimp and wedge sole is not authorized.
- The maximum engine power for vessels using beam trawl gear is set at 60 kW for local fishing vessels and 95 kW for coastal fishing vessels, except for vessels that, although possessing higher power, were already licensed.
- The transfer of beam trawl gear from licensed vessels to other vessels is not authorized, nor is the construction of a replacement, except in case of shipwreck or for reasons determined by safety, with the consequent cancellation of the vessel's registration due to demolition or dismantling.
- Only vessels which do not cumulatively have a license for traps for the capture of Common prawn or "sombreira" (Portuguese artisanal gear) may be licensed for beam trawl fishing.
Legislation
| National legislation | |
| Decree No. 198/2023, of July 11, which establishes the regulations for the practice of fishing using trawling gear. | Decree No. 198/2023 |
| Decree No. 12/2024, of January 18, which amends Decree No. 198/2023, of July 11. | Decree No. 12/2024 |
| EU Legislation | |
| Commission Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down rules for trawls devices - consolidated version | Commission Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 |
| 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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