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NO. FALMOUTH, MA - Cracks and pops of weak links breaking and snapped-off buoys crashing into the ceiling drew crowds to one of the big attractions at the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association annual lobster trade show -- a load tester set up by Barnstable, MA lobsterman Gary Ostrom.
Lobstermen stood around the device during the Jan. 26-28 event (see related stories page 14B) holding lengths of line with buoys and sticks attached at the ends by a variety of knotless weak links.
Some came by for the fun of it. Others were looking to find out if their rigging technique will measure up to the new northern right whale protection requirements set to go into effect Feb. 21.
While the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is not officially certifying any apparatus as meeting the knotless weak link requirement, the agency published a fact sheet discussing ways to make weak links. The document is subtitled: "How to comply with the 2001 gear modifications required by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team."
New rules
The new rules require many fishermen to use knotless weak links with different breaking strengths, depending on where they fish.
Generally speaking, this is no more than 600 pounds of breaking strengths for state waters lobstermen choosing the buoy line weak link option from the gear technology list. Use of knotless weak links of no more than 600 pounds breaking strength is also required on lobster gear in federal waters of Management Areas 1, 2, and in the Outer Cape Lobster Management Area. The breaking strength can be no more than 3,780 pounds in offshore waters, including Areas 3 and the Area 2/3 overlap.
Gillnetters are required to use knotless weak links at the buoy and weak links at the center of each net panel with breaking strengths of no greater than 1,100 pounds.
The rules also include new gear marking requirements and other measures. For more information on the lobster and gillnet fishery requirements, call NMFS's Doug Beach at (978) 281-9254.
Hog rings
On its fact sheet, NMFS details the following results of laboratory tests run on a variety of ropes using 3/4" hog rings "to form an eye":
- 5 rings = 470 pounds -- Five hog rings forming an eye in 3/8"
poly-dac had an average strength of 470 pounds;
- 7 rings = 605 pounds -- Seven hog rings forming an eye in 3/8"
poly-dac had an average strength of 605 pounds;
- 7 rings = 540 pounds -- Seven hog rings forming an eye in 3/8"
poly-steel had an average strength of 540 pounds; and
- 7 rings = 580 pounds -- Seven hog rings forming an eye in 5/16"
poly-dac had an average strength of 580 pounds.
NMFS said no significant variation was noted between wet and dry tests and added that the length over which the rings were distributed (from 6"-12") didn't significantly affect the strength.
Sliplink, Plante's link
Two "off-the-shelf" weak links are included on the NMFS fact sheet. The "Modern Mold Sliplink" is the one designed by Gary Ostrom.
Based on the same theory as a jam cleat, the bitter end acts as a clutch and continues to slip and grab a number of times before finally releasing the buoy. Ostrom recommends leaving the bitter end 10"-12" long. This will allow the rope to slip about eight times through the Sliplink before finally slipping free.
Plante's Lobster Escape Vents Inc. has weak links built into swivels and simple links. The devices work because a lesser amount of plastic is poured at one section of the mold, allowing it to break when subjected to a specific amount of pressure. Several breaking strengths are available.
Gillnets
NMFS noted that Plante's Lobster Escape Vents Inc. is an off-the-shelf product that could be used in the gillnet fishery. It also describes two methods of incorporating weak links into gillnet float rope.
One uses a weak link jumper spliced into the float rope using an overhand knot in the jumper. The other uses a weak link tied into the float rope with fishermen's knots. Both methods reduce the strength of the rope by about 60%, NMFS said.
For higher loads, NMFS suggested fishermen consider a spliced jumper, which, it said, "should be selected to meet the required 1,100-pound breaking strength based on tensile strength data from the manufacturer."
For more information on the sliplink, call Ostrom at (508) 362-5938 or
e-mail (fvrarebird@aol.com).
For more information on the Plante's weak links, call (207) 549-7204,
fax (207) 549-7204, or e-mail (plantes@ctel.net).
Lorelei Stevens
