The effect of a closed area and beach seine exclusion on coral reef fish catches

Fish landing data from the Mombasa Marine National Park (MNP) and a marine reserve exploited by various gears were studied over a 5‐yr period to determine the influence of the closed area and different gears in fisheries. The number fishing and boats per landing site was constant, but total and catch per unit effort progressively declined in all sites on an annual basis irrespective of the existence of a marine reserve, exclusion of the beach seines or use of gear. Differences between landing sites were most pronounced when analysed on a catch per area as opposed to the more standard catch per fisherman, suggesting compensation in human effort when catches decline. A marine reserve next to a closed area that excluded beach seines had the highest catch per area (5.5 kg ha^?1 month^?1) despite having the highest density of fishermen (0.07 ± 0.02 fishermen ha^?1 month^?1). The annual rate of decline in the catch was lower than the other sites at around 250 g day^?1 compared with 310–400 g day^?1 in the other sites. One landing site, which excluded beach seine landings for more than 20 yrs, had a high catch per area (～5.3 kg ha^?1 month^?1), but after experiencing a doubling in the effort of other gears (line, speargun and trap), the catch per fisherman and area were reduced. Environmental or habitat degradation and excessive effort remain the most likely explanation for the overall declines in catch from 1995 to 1999. Closed areas and beach seine exclusion have the potential to increase catch rates, but the first often reduces the total fishing area and possibly leads to a loss of total catch, at least on a time scale of less than 10 yrs. The exclusion of beach seines can lead to an increase in other gear types that can also cause reductions in catch.     

Estimating collateral mortality from towed fishing gear

More than 50% of the world's total marine catch (approximately 81 million tonnes) is harvested using towed fishing gears (i.e. Danish seines, dredges and otter and beam trawls). As for all methods, the total fishing mortality of these gears comprises the reported (landed) and unreported catch and other unaccounted, collateral deaths due to (i) avoiding, (ii) escaping, (iii) dropping out of the gear during fishing, (iv) discarding from the vessel, (v) ghost fishing of lost gear, (vi) habitat destruction or subsequent (vii) predation and (viii) infection from any of the above. The inherent poor selectivity of many towed gears, combined with their broad spatial deployment, means that there is considerable potential for cumulative effects of (i)–(viii) listed above on total fishing mortality, and subsequent wide‐scale negative impacts on stocks of important species. In this paper, we develop a strategy for minimizing this unwanted exploitation by reviewing all the primary literature studies that have estimated collateral, unaccounted fishing mortalities and identifying the key causal factors. We located more than 80 relevant published studies (between 1890 and early 2006) that quantified the mortalities of more than 120 species of escaping (26 papers) or discarded (62 papers) bivalves, cephalopods, crustaceans, echinoderms, elasmobranches, reptiles, teleosts and miscellaneous organisms. Seven of these studies also included the estimates of mortalities caused by dropping out of gears, predation and infection [(iii), (vii) and (viii) listed above]. Owing to several key biological (physiology, size and catch volume and composition), environmental (temperature, hypoxia, sea state and availability of light) and technical (gear design, tow duration and speed) factors, catch‐and‐escape or catch‐and‐discarding mechanisms were identified to evoke cumulative negative effects on the health of most organisms. We propose that because the mortalities of discards typically are much greater than escapees, the primary focus of efforts to mitigate unaccounted fishing mortalities should concentrate on the rapid, passive, size and species selection of non‐target organisms from the anterior sections of towed gears during fishing. Once maximum selection has been achieved and demonstrated to cause few mortalities, efforts should be made to modify other operational and/or post‐capture handling procedures that address the key causal factors listed above.     

Gear-based management of a tropical artisanal fishery based on species selectivity and capture size

The population density, species composition and lengths of fish landed by artisanal fishermen using six types of gear: large and small traps, gill nets, hand lines, spears and beach seines were studied in the multi‐species fishery of southern Kenya. Selectivity and catch composition among gears were determined by studying the species richness, diversity, size and mean trophic level of the catches for each gear type, to develop gear‐based management recommendations for this artisanal reef lagoon fishery. One hundred and sixty‐three reef and reef‐associated species from 37 families were recorded in the catch. Beach seines and small traps accounted for the highest number of fish landed (34–35 individuals per fisherman per day). These gears also caught smaller fish than big traps, spears and gill nets. Beach seines caught the highest number of species (14 ± 7 species per day) while most other gears caught four to five species per day with no differences between gears. Predatory species with a mean trophic level of 3.6 dominated catches from hand lines, while the mean trophic level of the other gears was low and ranged from 2.6 to 2.9 with no differences between the gears. The high diversity and small size of fish caught in beach seines indicates that its selectivity overlapped most with large traps and gill nets. Spears and small traps also showed high similarity in species selectivity and small traps captured the smaller mean size of fish, indicating that they are likely to pre‐empt the resource of spears. Large traps, hand lines and spears catch the largest individuals and the species composition of the catch differed sufficiently such that their selectivity should overlap the least and may, therefore, be the preferred mix of gears. The elimination or reduction of beach seines and small traps should reduce the catch of small fish and overlap in selectivity among the existing gears.     

A socio-economic perspective on gear-based management in an artisanal fishery in south-west Madagascar

Abstract  Artisanal fisheries are important socially, nutritionally and economically. Poverty is common in communities dependent on such fisheries, making sustainable management difficult. Poverty based on material style of life (MSL) was assessed, livelihoods surveyed and the relationship between these factors and fishery data collected using a fish landing study were examined. Species richness, diversity, size and mean trophic level of catches were determined for six fishing gears in an artisanal fishery in south-west Madagascar. There was little livelihood diversification and respondents were highly dependent on the fishery. No relationship was found between poverty and gear use. This suggests that poverty does not have a major impact on the nature of the fishery; however, this study was dominated by poor households, so it remains possible that communities with more variation in wealth might show differences in fishing methods according to this parameter. The fishery was heavily exploited with a predominance of small fish in the catches. Beach seines caught some of the smallest fish, overlapped in selectivity with gill nets and also had the highest catch per fishers. Thus, a reduction in the number of beach seines could help reduce the catch of small fish and the overlap in selectivity among gears.     

Strategies for improving fuel efficiency in the Portuguese trawl fishery

The recent rise in oil prices has brought renewed attention to energy savings in the fishing industry, and particularly in trawling. Coastal trawlers spend most of their time on fishing grounds near the coast. In such cases, the most successful energy-saving modifications ought to result from changes in the fishing gear and towing conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the energy-economy potential for Portuguese fish trawlers after altering a vessel's operating conditions and improving its trawl gear performance. Two trawlers, named Tricana de Aveiro and João Macedo were selected as subjects in this project. Both vessels work with gear of similar design and size. Experimental sea trials were carried out to elucidate the actual vessel and gear performance. A model trawl was then built and tested in a flume tank, which provided the basis for improving the gear design. Full-scale trials were then carried out with both vessels using the modified trawls in order to assess changes in gear performance. The new trawls maintained their previous ability to catch species of different ecological groups and consumed less fuel at the same commercial trawling speed. An economic study showed potential increases in the net cash flow (NCF) of up to 27% over the range of operational navigation and trawling speeds. Having demonstrated the performance of the new trawls, the skippers of both vessels subsequently adopted the new design for commercial fishing.     

涉海建设项目中深水海域渔业资源调查问题的研究

为解决涉海工程深水渔业资源评估的问题,于2014~2015年在南海北部局部海域开展底拖网与灯光罩网联合调查渔业资源活动。结果表明:在深水区底拖网渔获组成与灯光罩网有明显的不同,并受到季节与海域的影响(P0.05)。拖网渔获物中鱼类平均占渔获总尾数的93.36%,头足类占3.53%,甲壳类占3.11%;灯光罩网渔获物中鱼类平均占渔获总尾数的63.33%,头足类占36.65%,甲壳类占0.02%。两种调查的相同渔获物1~6种,主要为鱼类和头足类,在拖网中所占比值较低,平均占渔获总尾数的2.07%,而在灯光罩网中比值极高,平均占渔获总尾数的67.03%。灯光罩网与底拖网调查的渔业资源密度直接比值平均为0.06,灯光罩网与底拖网扣除相同渔获种类后的资源密度比值平均为0.06,相应的质量密度直接比值平均为0.62,扣除相同渔获种类后的比值平均为0.67。研究认为,深水海域的渔业资源量应该是两种渔具调查结果之和,对两种渔具调查中出现的相同渔获物,宜取其评估数据的平均值。由于各站点调查结果差异较大,采用所有站点的平均值来计算评估海域的损害赔偿较为合适。建议对SC/T9110-2007技术规程修订,规范中上层渔业资源调查方法。     

萤光网线在光诱鱿鱼敷网的应用试验

本文报道了将萤光网线应用在光诱鱿鱼敷网的底网网衣及其近网口部位的试验,结果表明,这种做法能扩大该网具作业区域内的有效集鱼范围,提高诱引捕捞对象入网的效果。根据对2000年7月-2000年10月的海上生产472网次对比资料统计及比较:萤光网的夜平均产量增加10.6％,夜平均产值增加12.1％以上;由于渔场作业水深不同、渔获组成不同和捕捞对象不同,萤光网的捕捞效应也发生变化。本文还讨论了不同捕捞对象的趋光性能和背景光的影响等问题。     

Indirect effects of bottom fishing on the productivity of marine fish

One quarter of marine fish production is caught with bottom trawls and dredges on continental shelves around the world. Towed bottom‐fishing gears typically kill 20–50 per cent of the benthic invertebrates in their path, depending on gear type, substrate and vulnerability of particular taxa. Particularly vulnerable are epifaunal species, which stabilize the sediment and provide habitat for benthic invertebrates. To identify the habitats, fisheries or target species most likely to be affected, we review evidence of the indirect effects of bottom fishing on fish production. Recent studies have found differences in the diets of certain species in relation to bottom fishing intensity, thereby linking demersal fish to their benthic habitats at spatial scales of ~10 km. Bottom fishing affects diet composition and prey quality rather than the amount of prey consumed; scavenging of discarded by‐catch makes only a small contribution to yearly food intake. Flatfish may benefit from light trawling levels on sandy seabeds, while higher‐intensity trawling on more vulnerable habitats has a negative effect. Models suggest that reduction in the carrying capacity of habitats by bottom fishing could lead to lower equilibrium yield and a lower level of fishing mortality to obtain maximum yield. Trawling effort is patchily distributed – small fractions of fishing grounds are heavily fished, while large fractions are lightly fished or unfished. This patchiness, coupled with the foraging behaviour of demersal fish, may mitigate the indirect effects of bottom fishing on fish productivity. Current research attempts to scale up these localized effects to the population level.     

Incidental catch of marine turtles by Italian trawlers and longliners in the central Mediterranean

• 1. The fishing effort and turtle catch of vessels harbouring at Lampedusa island and fishing in the wider central Mediterranean area was monitored using a voluntary logbook programme. Two large trawlers were monitored between 2003 and 2005 and six small vessels using trawl nets, pelagic longline or bottom longline were monitored in the summer 2005.
• 2. The observed turtle catch rates of pelagic longline and bottom trawl were among the highest recorded in the basin, and high catch rates by bottom longline were observed too. This suggests that the area contains major oceanic and neritic habitats for the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean Sea.
• 3. When fishing effort is considered, these results suggest a very high number of captures by Italian trawlers and longliners in the area, as well as by fleets from other countries. This is reason of concern for the conservation of the loggerhead turtle within the Mediterranean Sea.
• 4. Different fishing gear have different technical/operational characteristics affecting turtle catch and mortality and the present knowledge about associated parameters of these gear varies too.
• 5. All this considered, specific actions are recommended: (i) an awareness campaign to fishermen to reduce post‐release mortality, (ii) technical modifications to pelagic longline gear to reduce turtle catch, (iii) further investigation into turtle bycatch in all fishing gear, with priority given to bottom longline fishing and quantification of mortality caused by trawlers, (iv) assessment of the turtle populations affected by fishing activity in the area, and (v) international cooperation in undertaking threat assessments, and implementing regulations, management measures and monitoring.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fishery-specific differences in the size selectivity and catch of diamond- and square-mesh codends in two Australian penaeid seines

Abstract  The selectivities and catch compositions of conventional 30-mm diamond-mesh codends and a new square-mesh design made from 20-mm mesh hung on the bar for river and lagoon penaeid seines in south-eastern Australia were compared. The square-mesh design significantly improved the selectivities of the river seine for school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell), and the lagoon seine for greasyback prawns, Metapenaeus bennettae (Racek & Dall), by increasing their carapace length at 50% probability of retention ( L ₅₀) and by decreasing between-haul variability in selectivity. The presence of weed reduced the L ₅₀ for greasyback prawns caught in the conventional diamond-mesh codend during the lagoon-seine experiment. The differences among codend performances are discussed in terms of the differing methods of operation and composition of catches between the seines. These differences highlight the need to develop and manage modifications to improve the selectivity of fishing gears on a fishery-specific basis.     

渤海口虾蛄三重刺网渔获组成及其捕捞性能分析

为研究渤海口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)三重刺网的捕捞性能,以河北省昌黎县的口虾蛄三重刺网为基础,于2013年4、5、7月在河北省秦皇岛近海进行50 mm、55 mm、60 mm和65 mm 4种网目尺寸的三重刺网作业性能比较实验,并与60 mm网目单片刺网和底拖网进行渔获对比分析。结果表明:三重刺网具有捕获渔场中绝大多数渔业种类的能力,选择能力较差。春季的渔获种类19种,为渤海近岸底层种类;夏季的渔获种类19种,除了小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)和带鱼(Trichiurus lepturus)等底层鱼类外,还有日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)和蓝点马鲛(Scomberomorus niphonius)等中上层鱼类。春季的渔获结构单一,口虾蛄占渔获量的90%以上,主要兼捕种类鲜明鼓虾(Alpheus distinguendus)占4.1%,渔获选择性较好;夏季的渔获中,口虾蛄比例在75%左右,兼捕对象主要为小黄鱼、蓝点马鲛等经济鱼类的幼鱼,对渔业资源造成一定程度的损害,但渔获选择性比底拖网好。单片刺网的选择性最好,但渔获量低,只有三重刺网渔获量的30%左右,无法满足生产要求。建议开展渤海口虾蛄的可捕产量和分区域捕捞管理研究,开发作业性能更优越的口虾蛄专业捕捞渔具。     

Evaluation of observer‐ and industry‐based catch data in a recreational charter fishery

There is international recognition for greater inclusion of recreational fisheries catch data in species, fisheries and ecosystem assessments. Recreational charter fisheries provide important social services and contribute to total species catches. This study compares and validates industry logbook catch and effort data (1,357 trips) against observer data (154 trips) across six ports in a recreational charter fishery in eastern Australia. The mean numbers of clients and fishing effort (hours) per trip varied inconsistently between data sources and among ports. Logbooks did not adequately report released catches, and the mean number of species retained per trip was consistently underestimated in logbooks compared to observer data. For both data sources, catch rates of total individuals and key species displayed similar trends across different units of effort; catch per hour, client, client/hour and trip. The mean catch rates of total individuals and most key species, except those retained for bait, were similar across data sources, as were estimates of total fleet harvests. The length compositions of retained catches of some key species displayed truncation of larger organisms in the observer data whereas other species did not. Despite the shortcomings of the logbook data, future fishery and species monitoring strategies could include industry and observer data sources.     

The development of fisheries at Bornholm,Denmark (Baltic Sea) during 1880s–1914

For centuries the abundance of fish in the Baltic Sea has had an important role in the economy of Bornholm, Denmark. This study examines the development of Bornholm fisheries between approximately 1880s and 1914 on the basis of the first officially recorded Danish fisheries data. Several species were caught, but prior to 1914 especially herring, salmon and cod were economically most important. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the catch composition changed fundamentally due to complex interactions between biological, technological and economical factors. During the late 19th century the catches of herring increased, while the catches of salmon and cod decreased. This development coincided with the introduction of new technologies and fishing practices, including motorization of fishing vessels and the exploitation of herring in previously unexploited areas (i.e., expansion of fishing areas). In addition, the salmon fishery diminished after the introduction of driftnets, which caught large numbers of small salmon. The high catches of small salmon, in combination with other factors, probably contributed to the decline in catches of larger salmon. Each of the fisheries for the three species required different types of vessels and gear, and when catches began to drop in the salmon fishery, Bornholm fishermen were faced with two options. They could either specialise in the growing herring fishery, thereby hoping to maintain their income level, or they could pursue a strategy of risk minimization, by acquiring an income outside the fishing industry, while continuing to work part-time in the salmon and cod fisheries. This dual tendency was intensified further as marine engines and new types of vessels were introduced, raising the costs of fishing.     

A framework for adaptive gear and ecosystem‐based management in the artisanal coral reef fishery of Papua New Guinea

• 1. Artisanal fishing on coral reefs in Papua New Guinea is an important livelihood activity that is managed primarily at the level of local communities. Pockets of overexploitation exist and are expected to increase with plans for increased commercialization.
• 2. This paper provides a current assessment of the artisanal multi‐species coral reef fishery by examining selectivity of the dominant gear, namely line fishing, spearguns, and gill nets. Each gear has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of use and conservation of resources, with no clear problem gear.
• 3. The three gears utilize different resources but there was moderate overlap in the species caught, particularly between gill nets and line fishing and marginally between lines and spearguns. Gill nets have the disadvantage of being destructive to coral and the advantage of catching commercial species. Line fishing catches an intermediate number of species but mostly large‐bodied and predatory species that could potentially reduce predation and the mean trophic level of the fishery. Spearguns catch the highest numbers of species, including many non‐commercial and herbivorous fish and could reduce the diversity of fish and encourage algal growth.
• 4. This information could be used in combination with scientific monitoring and traditional ecological knowledge to develop an adaptive management framework that uses local restrictions on the various gears to restore or balance the fishery and ecosystem. Restrictions could be selectively imposed: on gill nets when coral cover is low, line fishing when large‐bodied predators are depleted, and spearguns when biodiversity is reduced and algal abundance high.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

南沙群岛西南陆架区底拖网主要经济渔获种类组成和数量变动

根据1993-2002年南海区3省市渔业公司在南沙群岛西南陆架区底拖网的生产资料和渔业资源调查资料，分析了底拖网主要渔获种类组成和数量变动。结果表明，底拖网渔获种类组成基本相同，主要渔获经济种类有20多种，以蛇鲻属（Synodidae）、大眼鲷属（Priacanthidae）等底层鱼类为主，占总渔获物的70．9％。经济鱼类资源渔获率有明显的年间变动。底层鱼类资源除蛇鲻属和大眼鲷属外，其他种类如石斑鱼属（Serranidae）、鲱鲤属（Mullidae）、红笛鲷（L．sanguineus）、黄鳍马面纯（T．xanthopterus）、刺鲳（Psenopsis anomala）等波动很大，而中上层鱼类资源和头足类资源则相对稳定。分析认为捕捞是引起经济鱼类资源数量变动的主要原因。     

南海北部金线鱼流刺网渔业情况分析

根据“粤阳东18023”渔船2006年1月至2007年12月的渔获销售记录，结合春、秋2季的渔获抽样测量数据，对使用单片刺网在南海北部作业的大型金线鱼流网船的生产情况进行了分析。结果显示，渔获以底层和近底层种类为主，带鱼Trichiurus haumela、长尾大眼鲷Priacanthus tayenus和金线鱼Nemipterus virgatus为渔获优势种，占产量的29．7％、13．3％和10．5％，占产值的27．4％、24．4％和15．7％；渔船全年作业，汛期在11月至翌年3月，其中1月为旺汛期，休渔期的产量和产值在全年中所占比重很小；优势种渔获以成鱼为主，其CPUE的高值期与汛期基本一致。     

How do individual transferable quotas affect marine ecosystems?

Published papers were reviewed to assess ecosystem impacts of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) and other dedicated access systems. Under ITQs, quota shares increase with higher abundance levels, thus fishers may request lower total allowable catches (TACs) and pay for monitoring and research that improves fishery sustainability. Mortality on target species generally declines because catches are closer to TACs and because ghost fishing through lost and abandoned gear decreases. High-grading and discarding often decline, but may increase if landings (and not catches) count against ITQs and when there is little at-sea enforcement. Overall, ITQs positively impact target species, although collapses can occur if TACs are set too high or if catches are routinely allowed to exceed TACs. Fishing pressure may increase on non-ITQ species because of spillover from ITQ fisheries, and in cases where fishers anticipate that future ITQ allocations will be based on catch history and therefore increase their current catches. Ecosystem and habitat impacts of ITQs were only sparsely covered in the literature and were difficult to assess: ITQs often lead to changes in total fishing effort (both positive and negative), spatial shifts in effort, and fishing gear modifications. Stock assessments may be complicated by changes in the relationship between catch per unit effort, and abundance, but ITQ participants will often assist in improving data collection and stock assessments. Overall, ITQs have largely positive effects on target species, but mixed or unknown effects on non-target fisheries and the overall ecosystem. Favourable outcomes were linked to sustainable TACs and effective enforcement.     

闽南-台湾浅滩渔场单船拖网作业调查与分析

根据2009—2010年闽南-台湾浅滩渔场单船拖网作业监测调查资料和生产统计数据,阐明单船拖网作业的渔业地位、渔场分布、网具类型,着重分析该作业渔获种类组成及主要捕捞对象的资源动态。结果表明:单船拖网作业产量位居闽南-台湾浅滩渔场各种海洋捕捞作业的首位,大吨位、大功率渔船数量连续多年不断增长;渔具型式以有翼单囊网具为主;部分渔船使用的拖网网囊尺寸远远低于国家标准;带鱼、二长棘鲷幼鱼损害现象较为严重;秋季8—10月蓝圆鲹和鲐鱼群体绝大多数个体可达到最小可捕规格。调查研究结果还表明,2002年以来单船拖网渔业资源结构已发生较大变化,生命周期短、营养级较低的蟹类、枪乌贼类、乌贼类和虾类资源渔获比重显著增长;原优势种类绿布氏筋鱼资源已出现严重衰竭;二长棘鲷资源量逐年减少,渔获群体明显趋向小型化、低龄化。     

Tracing possible drivers of synchronously fluctuating species catches in individual logbook data

Abstract Recreational fisheries statistics can provide valuable information on the dynamics of fish stocks and their exploitation. For some reservoirs in the Czech Republic, there are conspicuous synchronous fluctuations in catches of different species that might be caused by fishing skills and strategies. This study describes a method that could detect signatures of such phenomena in individual logbooks. It classifies anglers by species reported during 1 year and compares the resulting angler groups by group size, fishing effort, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and annual catch. The method is illustrated by data from one reservoir, showing that the number of generalist anglers who caught several species was higher than expected. Generalists also had higher catches and effort but lower CPUE than specialists who caught only one of the species. The results indicate that generalist anglers with a low degree of specialisation and high effort could contribute to long‐term correlations in species catches.