Catch data (quantities and sizes by species) from trials of a selective Net
Grid trawl. This work was carried out as part of the Fisheries Science
Partnership (FSP) programme and continues previous studies conducted during
2019/20 (https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927_).
The aim of this project was to further develop a selective Net Grid trawl with
two cod ends to improve performance and enable skippers to better match their
catch compositions to their quota allocations. The information from the trials
will help skippers adapt to the Landing Obligation by avoiding unwanted fish
in a fishery identified as having relatively high discard rates and will
demonstrate to managers the level of selectivity improvement that is currently
achievable to help formulate Discard Plans.
This trial sought to collect catch data on an upper cod end construction
designed to retain commercially sized fish and test the effect on the level of
separation of fish between the upper and lower cod ends when using different
mesh sizes (100mm vs 200mm) in the incline separation panel. Also examined was
the effect of using artificial lights around inclined panel to assess the
effect on the level of separation.
At each station sampled, shot and haul, positional and times information were
recorded, and for all species of fish length distribution data were taken.
.. _https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927:
https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927