115mm and 155mm square mesh panels in the body of a trawl

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

Target species:
Cod, haddock and other demersal species

Area, Vessel
10 hauls with a twin-rig; onboard MFV Our Olivia Belle in the Celtic Sea during September 2014.
Gear type:
demersal (twin rig)

Gear modification
The standard gear was a 115mm mesh size trawl with a 87mm codend. The modified gear had a 155mm SMP fitted 2.5-5.5m from codline.


Results:
There were significant and substantial reductions in catches of cod and haddock of all sizes in the modified gear. There were also substantial losses of most other marketable fish.
Further information:
Cefas.co.uk / Contact: Stephen.mangi@cefas.co.uk; Thomas.catchpole@cefas.co.uk




Citation :
Mangi, S. and Catchpole, T. , 2017. 115mm and 155mm square mesh panels in the body of a trawl . In O’Neill, F.G. and Mutch, K. (Eds): Selectivity in Trawl Fishing Gears. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 8 No 1.