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1. Strengthening ropes, splitting straps and codend floats may be used on trawls, as long as those attachments do not in any way restrict the authorised mesh or obstruct the mesh opening.

2. No vessel shall use any means or device that obstructs or diminishes the size of the meshes. However, vessels may attach devices described in Annex III.B Authorised Topside Chafers/Shrimp Toggle Chains of the CEM referred to in point 12 of the Annex to this Regulation, to the upper side of the codend in a manner that does not obstruct the meshes of the codend including any lengtheners. Canvas, netting or other material may be attached to the underside of the codend of a net only to the extent required to prevent or minimise damage to the codend.

3. Vessels fishing for Northern prawn in Division 3L or 3M shall use sorting grids or grates with a maximum bar spacing of 22 mm. Vessels fishing for Northern prawn in Division 3L shall also be equipped with toggle chains with a minimum length of 72 cm as measured in accordance with Annex III.B to the CEM referred to in point 12 of the Annex to this Regulation.

3a. Fishing vessels conducting a directed trawl fishery for cod in Division 3M shall use a sorting grid for the purpose of reducing the catches of smaller individuals of cod with a minimum bar spacing of 55 mm. The sorting grid shall be placed in the top side panel of the trawl preceding the codend.

4. When fishing in the areas referred to in Article 18(1), only mid-water trawl gear is allowed.

5. No fishing vessel shall:

(a) use gear that is not marked in accordance with generally accepted international standards, in particular the 1967 Convention on Conduct of Fishing Operations in the North Atlantic; or (b) deploy any marker buoy or similar object floating on the surface and intended to indicate the location of fixed fishing gear without displaying the vessel's registration number.