60Measuring length and mesh size of nets

#### 60 Measuring length and mesh size of nets 60 Measuring length and mesh size of nets > > (1) For the purposes of testing or determining the length of a net, the net must be measured along the cork line or head line of the net from the first hanging to the last hanging. > > > (2) For the purposes of testing or determining the mesh size of a net that is described in this Part as being lawful (other than a net specified in the Table to this clause or a beach safety meshing net), a prescribed measuring device must be used in the manner required by this clause. > > > (3) A prescribed measuring device is a device verified in the manner determined by the Secretary that complies with the following description— > > > > > (a) it consists of a fixed member (in the form of a metal cylinder) in which is fitted a sliding member weighing 225 grams, > > > > > (b) both members have attached a fixed knife edge, > > > > > (c) when in use, the device is suspended from, or held by, the metal clip at the top of the fixed member, > > > > > (d) a scale and a point is marked on both members. > > > (4) A prescribed measuring device must be used in the following manner— > > > > > (a) the net (the mesh size of which is to be measured) must be soaked in water for a period of not less than 5 minutes, after which both knife edges must be inserted in a mesh of the net, so that the mesh is supported by the knife edge of the fixed member at a knot while the knife edge of the sliding member is supported by the mesh at the knot diagonally opposite, > > > > > (b) the mesh being measured, when suspended as above, must hang in a plane parallel to the body of the device, > > > > > (c) the size of the mesh must then, without any unnecessary delay, be determined as the distance between the inside edges of the knots, as read from the scale on the sliding member, at a point indicated by a mark on the fixed member. > > > (5) For the purposes of testing or determining the mesh size of a net specified in the Table to this clause, a prescribed measuring device must be used in the manner required by this clause except that— > > > > > (a) the weight specified in relation to that net in that Table must be attached to the sliding member, and > > > > > (b) the net (the mesh size of which is to be measured) must be soaked in water for a period of not less than 10 minutes. > > > (6) In testing or determining the mesh size of a knotless net (being a net in which the mesh is formed by the fusion or interweaving of two or more threads of the netting material) or square mesh (whether or not knotless) the same method must apply, except that the knife edges of the members must be inserted in a mesh at diagonally opposite corners and the measurements taken from the inside of those corners. > > > (7) The mesh size specified in respect of a lawful net in this Part is taken to be the mesh size determined by the use of a prescribed measuring device in the manner required by this clause. > > Table > > | Nets | Weight attached | > | Hand-hauled prawn net | 1,585 grams | > | Push or scissors net | 1,585 grams | > | Otter trawl net (fish) | 2,945 grams | > | Danish seine trawl net (fish) | 2,945 grams |