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