7. 12. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 318/23 COMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 3440/84 of 6 December 1984 on the attachment of devices to trawls, Danish seines and similar nets THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 171/83 of 25 January 1983 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources ('), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2664/84 (%), and in particular Article 21 thereof, Whereas Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 171/83 prohibits the use of any device by means of which the ~ mesh in any part of a fishing net is obstructed or otherwise effectively diminished; Whereas, having regard to Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 171/83, these provisions apply only to trawls, Danish seines and similar nets; Whereas Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 171/83 allows the attachment of devices to nets to be autho- rized ; Whereas it is appropriate to define certain parts of a trawl ; Whereas it is not necessary to prohibit the attachment of devices to trawls when fishing for species for which a minimum mesh size is not specified in Regulation (EEC) No 171/83; Whereas the use of certain devices whose effect is to reduce wear and tear on trawls, Danish seines or similar nets, to strengthen such nets, to limit the escape of catches to the forward part of such nets, or to improve their efficiency and security of use, may be authorized ; Whereas the purpose of a bottom-side chafer is to protect the underside of the trawl from wear and tear ; Whereas the purpose of a top-side chafer is to protect the top or side panels of the codend from wear and tear should the rear end of the trawl twist along its axis during fishing operations; ) O] No L 24, 27. 1. 1983, p. 14. ) O] No L 253, 21. 9. 1984, p. 1. Whereas the purpose of a strengthening bag is to strengthen the codend and to prevent it from bursting when filled with fish and when the trawl is hauled on board ; Whereas the purpose of a chafing piece is to prevent the lifting strap from cutting the netting of the codend ; Whereas the purpose of a codline is to close the codend ; Whereas a limited length of the rearmost part of the codend may be folded back into the opening of the codend itself in order to assure a better closure of the codend ; Whereas the purpose of a lifting strap is to make it possible to close off the rear section of the codend in order to facilitate its loading aboard ; Whereas the purpose of a round strap is to limit the extension of the diameter of the codend; Whereas the purpose of a flapper is to allow catches to pass from the front to the back of the trawl but to limit their possibility of return; Whereas the purpose of a sieve netting is to catch fish, shrimps, or other species selectively ; Whereas the purpose of a strengthening rope is to strengthen the trawl, or to prevent stones and debris from reaching the codend; Whereas the purpose of a torquette is to improve the closing of the codend by the codline ; Whereas the purpose of a trouser codend is to reduce the risk of a total loss of catches when fishing on rough grounds ; Whereas to that end, certain detailed rules concerning these devices, and in particular technical descriptions thereof, must be drawn up and the conditions subject to which they may be used must be defined; Whereas derogations to this Regulation which cover specific cases may be adopted if necessary; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fishery Resources,