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. C. Large Mesh and Extended Funnel BRDs [LMEFE (see Figures 2 through 6; m=mesh, mm=millimeter)]:
These devices consist of a funnel of small mesh netting within a cylinder of large mesh netting, held open by one semi-rigid hoop, and are installed in the trawl net behind a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) certified Turtle Excluder Device (TED). One side of the funnel is extended vertically to provide passage for shrimp to the tailbag and to create an area of reduced water flow to allow for fish escapement through the larger mesh outer netting.
General Ten Inch (10") and Eight Inch (8") Large Mesh and Extended Mesh Funnel BRD:
(1) The small mesh funnel and large mesh section shall be positioned within extension sections constructed of 1 5/8" stretched mesh #30 nylon twine. The extension section shall be 120 meshes in circumference. The extension section in front of the large mesh section shall be 6 ½ meshes long, and the extension section behind the large mesh section shall be 23 meshes long.
(2) The small mesh funnel shall be constructed from four (4) pieces of 1 ½" stretched mesh, size #24 twine or larger, depth stretched and heat set polyethylene webbing.
(3) The small mesh funnel shall have a circumference of 120 meshes at the leading edge and 78 meshes at the trailing edge. The short side of the funnel shall be 23 meshes long, while the long side of the funnel shall be 38 ½ meshes long. The leading edge of the funnel shall be attached three (3) meshes forward of the leading edge of the large mesh section. The eight (8) meshes at the back edge of the top and bottom sections are attached three (3) meshes behind the soft cable hoop, and are centered at the top and bottom of the extension webbing, mesh for mesh. The long side section of the funnel shall be attached to the extension webbing on the top and bottom beginning at the back edge of the top and bottom section. The sewing sequence for this section shall be two (2) meshes down, one (1) mesh over toward the top and bottom centerlines.
(4) The large mesh outer section shall be 10" stretched mesh netting, 10 mm polyester, or #120 nylon or heavier, hung on the square, with a circumference of 19 meshes (95") and a length of three (3) meshes (15"), or the large mesh outer section shall be 8" stretched mesh netting, 4 mm polyester, or #120 nylon or heavier, hung on the square, with a circumference of 23 meshes (95") and a length of four (4) meshes (15").
(5) The leading edge of the large mesh section shall be attached to the trailing edge of the front extension. The trailing edge of the large mesh outer section is attached to the leading edge of the back extension.
(6) A single hoop, constructed from ½" (0.5") plastic coated cable measuring 94 1/4" in length (30" diameter), shall be attached five (5) meshes back from the leading edge of the back extension.
(7) The large mesh escapement opening must be unobstructed.
(8) This BRD is installed between the TED and the tailbag. When installed behind a hard TED, the leading edge of the 6 ½ mesh front extension is attached five (5) meshes behind the posterior edge (trailing edge) of the TED. Any part of the TED extension greater than five (5) meshes long must be removed. When installed behind a soft TED, the device is placed between the TED extension and the tailbag.