100mm square mesh panels in the codend

to improve size selection and reduce undersized haddock in ICES Area VII

Target species:
Cod, haddock and other demersal species

Area, Vessel
7 hauls were carried out in the Celtic Sea on board MFV Crystal Sea during August 2014 using the twin rig method.
Gear type:
demersal (twin rig)

Gear modification
The standard gear was a coverless trawl with a 100mm codend and a 100mm SMP @ 9 – 12m. The modified gear had an additional 100mm SMP in the codend.


Results:
The modified gear released almost all small fish and there were large reductions in unmarketable haddock. There were some losses of marketable whiting, monkfish and plaice but these were mainly the smaller size classes. There were some gains of megrim, John Dory and lemon sole.
Further information:
Cefas.co.uk / Contact: Stephen.mangi@cefas.co.uk; Thomas.catchpole@cefas.co.uk




Citation :
Mangi, S. and Catchpole, T. , 2017. 100mm square mesh panels in the codend . In O’Neill, F.G. and Mutch, K. (Eds): Selectivity in Trawl Fishing Gears. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 8 No 1.