Effect of tooth spacing on the contact selection and available selection of a dredge for the equilateral Venus clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gomphina melanaegis</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The effect of various tooth spacing on the contact selection and the net-mouth available selection of a dredge for the equilateral Venus clam Gomphina melanaegis is evaluated by applying a contact-probability model based on the SELECT method to the data of paired-gear tests with a control dredge of 12-mm tooth spacing and four test dredges of tooth spacing 16, 20, 24 and 35 mm. A master selection curve was estimated to be s ( R ) = exp(−11.23 R  + 4.799)/(1 + exp[−11.23 R  + 4.799]) where, R is l / d , the ratio of the shell length, l , to the tooth spacing, d . The shell width of 50% retention was slightly smaller than the tooth spacing, which means that size selectivity of teeth was a type of contact selection which was dependent on the tooth spacing. Contact probability, δ, of the clams coming into contact with the teeth were 0.625, 0.467, 0.563, 0.670 and 0.976 for tooth spacing 12, 16, 20, 24 and 35 mm, respectively. This indicates that some clams entered the dredge bagnet without contacting the teeth as the sand clogging the tooth spacing carried them into the bagnet. Available selection curve of the dredge net-mouth with teeth was obtained as δ s ( R ) + 1 −  δ , and examined in terms of the legal landing size of the Venus clam.     

Gillnet selectivity of small coastal sharks off the southeastern United States

Gillnet selectivity parameters for the Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus, finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon, and bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo, sharks were estimated from fishery-independent catches in multi-panel gillnets with stretched mesh sizes ranging from 8.9 to 14.0 cm in steps of 1.3 cm, with an additional size of 20.3 cm. Mesh selectivities were estimated using a maximum-likelihood model, which fits a gamma distribution to length data for each mesh size using the log-likelihood function. The Atlantic sharpnose and finetooth shark exhibited the broadest selection curves. Peak selectivities for the Atlantic sharpnose were reached from 750 mm FL for the 8.9 cm mesh to 1150 mm FL for the 14.0 cm mesh in 50 mm FL increments per mesh. Peak selectivity for the finetooth shark was reached at 550 mm FL for the 8.9 and 10.2 cm meshes, increased to 650 mm FL for the 11.4 mesh, and 750 mm FL for the 12.7 and 14.0 cm meshes. Selectivity was highest at 1150 mm FL for the 20.3 cm mesh. The bonnethead and blacknose shark exhibited narrower selection curves, with peak selectivity occurring at 450 mm FL for the 8.9 cm mesh, 750 mm for the 12.7 cm mesh in 100 mm FL increments per mesh. Maximum selectivity for the 20.3 cm mesh was 950 and 1050 mm FL for bonnethead and blacknose shark, respectively. The θ₁ values for blacknose and finetooth shark were most similar (140.58 and 141.25), whereas the value calculated for Atlantic sharpnose was the highest (211.95) and that for the bonnethead (131.77) was the lowest. Values calculated for θ₂, a parameter that describes the variance of sizes by mesh, ranged from 27,259 for the bonnethead to 189,873 for the finetooth shark. Although gillnets used in this study were not directly constructed for use in estimation of gillnet selectivities, information on mesh selectivities estimated herein has direct applicability to commercial gillnets with meshes of similar sizes.     

Modelling the contact probability and size-selectivity of toothed dredges

ABSTRACT:   To estimate fishing gear selectivity of clam dredges from data of paired-gear tests in the SELECT analysis process, this paper presents a statistical model of the probability of a clam coming into contact with the dredge teeth and size-selectivity of the control gear. The net-mouth available selectivity is defined as the product of the probability of a clam contacting the dredge teeth and size-selectivity induced by tooth spacing. The model based on the SELECT analysis was tested by using data generated by virtual paired-gear test in which the control dredge of the smallest tooth spacing is assumed to be size-selective. No clear difference in shell length distribution between dredges of different tooth spacings was found in the simulation when the contact probability was small. The plots of proportion of clams caught in the test dredge to the total catch number of clams were U-shaped, and the model fitted the data well. For each simulation consisting of 500 replications, the sample mean and mean square error of each parameter were obtained to evaluate the performance of estimation by comparing with the true value. Parameters were properly estimated with the model.     

Size selectivity of diamond and square mesh codends for hairfin anchovy Setipinna taty in Chinese stow net fisheries

ABSTRACT:   Selectivity experiments of diamond and square mesh codends with different mesh size (30, 35, 40 and 45 mm) for hairfin anchovy Setipinna taty were carried out using the covered codend method in Chinese stow net fisheries. In the present study, 5151 specimens were subsampled and asymmetric and symmetric selectivity curves (Richards and Logistic curves) were fitted to the catch data, using the maximum likelihood method according to the SELECT model. The results show that the Richards curve gives a better fit to the selectivity curve for diamond mesh codends with 30, 35 and 40-mm mesh sizes, whereas the logistic curve gives a better fit for the diamond mesh codend with 45 mm mesh size and square mesh codends with 30, 35, 40 and 45-mm mesh size. With the exception of 45-mm mesh size codends, the L ₅₀ of diamond mesh codends were insignificantly larger than those of square mesh codends. However, the selectivity curves of square mesh codends were steeper than those of diamond mesh codends, except the 30-mm mesh size codends. As for diamond mesh codends, according to the linear relationship between the L ₅₀ and mesh size, 36.5-mm mesh size codends could release 50% juvenile hairfin anchovy (below 1-year old). However, diamond mesh codends with such a mesh size are not selective for other species.     

东海张纲张网网囊网目选择性研究

张纲张网是我国近海渔业的重要作业方式,当前渔业管理中规定了张纲张网网囊最小网目尺寸,但渔民实际使用的网目尺寸与之差异很大,造成渔获中幼鱼比例大。为了更好地掌握网目尺寸对主要捕捞对象的尺寸选择性,于2012年秋季和2013年春季使用平行作业法开展了不同网目尺寸(35、40、45、50、55 mm)网囊的选择性试验。试验结果显示,网囊对小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)、带鱼(Trichiurus haumela)和银鲳(Pampus argenteus)的50%选择体长L50随着网目尺寸的增大而增大,表明放大网目尺寸能有效减少幼鱼渔获,L50与网目尺寸(Me)的线性关系为:小黄鱼L50=2.79×Me-1.45,带鱼L50=4.27×Me-38.28,银鲳L50=1.79×Me+28.66。此次试验不同网目尺寸网囊的L50相比其它研究结果较大,推测试验方法的不同可能是导致这一差异的主要原因。结合当前东、黄海主要捕捞对象的可捕规格,认为目前55 mm的网囊网目尺寸能实现张纲张网对3种主要捕捞对象的管理目标。     

南海区双船大网目拖网网囊网目对带鱼的选择性

大网目拖网是我国海洋渔业捕捞带鱼的重要渔具。为提高拖网网囊选择性, 本研究在南海区采用套网法对双船大网目拖网 4 组网目尺寸(30、35、40 和 45 mm)的网囊进行实验, 在双重拔靴法的架构下, 拟合选择性参数、比较选择性的差异、估算捕捞方式指标。结果表明, 随着网目尺寸的增大, 网囊对带鱼的 50%选择体长增大, 对带鱼幼鱼个体的选择率显著下降, 带鱼幼鱼的渔获比例也呈下降趋势。结合带鱼最小可捕规格(23.0 cm)管理规定, 结果还表明网目尺寸为 40 mm 的网囊选择性较差, 其对带鱼的抛弃率大于 93%。为了进一步提高带鱼拖网渔业的资源养护水平, 还需要开展更多的选择性实验。     

Size selective capture of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in floating pots

Little is known about the size selectivity of cod in static fishing gears such as pots and traps. In this field study, floating fishing pots were equipped with 40, 45 and 50 mm square mesh escape windows in order to estimate the size selectivity of cod at different mesh sizes. Relationships between selectivity parameters and mesh size, as well as an optimal mesh size for the escape window with respect to current minimum landing size of cod in the Baltic Sea were sought. The results show that the floating pot is not only species selective when used in the Baltic Sea cod fishery, the implementation of an escape window reduced the proportion of undersized bycatch in the pots by more than 90%. The estimated length at 50% retention was found to be a direct function of fish body length (girth) and mesh size of the escape window, while the estimated selection range remained unchanged regardless of mesh size. Optimal mesh size, with respect to the length at 50% retention and current minimal landing size of 38 cm in the Baltic, was determined to be 45 mm. Strong indications (significant on the 0.01 probability level in the case of 50 and 40 mm escape windows) suggested that the relative fishing power of the pots increased with the implementation of an escape window. This result could be explained as a “saturation effect”, i.e. the probability of cod entering the pot is likely to be negatively dependent on cod density in the pot. The high species selectivity and the low catch rate of undersized fish have consolidated the floating pots position as a highly benign fishing method and the foremost alternative gear for the future coastal cod fishery in the Baltic Sea.     

Evaluation of codends with sorting grids, exit windows, and diamond meshes: Size selection and fish behaviour

This paper presents the results of an experiment aimed at improving the size selection of cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in the Nordic bottom trawl fishery. Three systems simulating commercial conditions were tested: a 135 mm diamond-mesh codend fitted with a 55 mm sorting grid (Sort-V); a 135 mm diamond-mesh codend fitted with two lateral exit windows; and a codend built entirely of 155 mm diamond mesh. The selectivity curves showed similar selection ranges (SR) for the three systems. For cod, the mean SRs were around 8 cm, while for haddock, they were around 6 cm. All the estimated l₅₀ values were far above the minimum landing sizes (MLS). For cod, the mean l₅₀s were 56.1, 53.9, and 60.7 cm for the sorting grid, exit windows, and diamond-mesh configurations, respectively, while for haddock, they were 50.2, 50.6, and 49.9 cm, respectively. Underwater observations revealed that most of the fish escaped from the grid and exit-window codends as soon as they reached the vicinity of the sorting device. In contrast, fish remained inside the diamond-mesh codend for a longer time, and consequently were more exposed to physical damage before escape. In addition, many fish escaped from this codend during haul back and these fish were not likely to survive due to the rapid changes in pressure. Thus, the selectivity results obtained with this type of codend should be interpreted carefully.     

Effects of a fishing gear on an artisanal multispecific penaeid fishery in a coastal lagoon of Mexico: mesh size, selectivity and management implications

Abstract  The spatiotemporal effects of a bottom net used in an artisanal multispecific penaeid fishery at Celestun Lagoon, Mexico, were evaluated. Selectivity experiments, based on the covered codend method, were carried out with two bottom nets operating simultaneously but using different mesh size codends: 13 mm (MS13: currently used in the fishery) and 25 mm (MS25). Length at 50% retention, L ₅₀, was twice as high with MS25 (15.34 mm carapace length, CL) than with MS13 (6.95 mm CL); this global pattern was recurrent for all species, seasons and hydrological zones. These differences in selectivity determined that MS13 mainly retained recruits and juveniles, whereas MS25 mainly retained sub-adults. However, smaller shrimps were caught by both mesh sizes during the 'nortes' season (November to February) and at the outer zones of the lagoon. Thus, an increase in mesh size from 13 to 25 mm, together with fishery closures within specific area–season windows, is suggested to reduce risks of overfishing of these shrimp populations.     

Size selectivity of a trammel net for oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana

ABSTRACT:   The size selectivity of a trammel net for herded oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana in Tateyama Bay, Chiba Prefecture, was estimated by comparison between the mantle length frequency distributions of oval squid caught by a trammel net and by a set net. The measured mesh sizes of the inner net of the trammel net and of the final section of the set net were 85.3 and 11.3 mm, respectively. In the trammel net fishery where oval squid are herded into the net, most of the oval squid are caught in the bag-shaped inner net. Hence, the logistic function was employed for the size selectivity curve of the trammel net. The 'share each length's catch total' (SELECT) model was implemented for the estimation of the selectivity curve. The size selectivity r ( l ) of the trammel net for the oval squid was expressed as a logistic function of the mantle length l : r ( l ) = exp(−18.57 + 0.88  l )/[1 + exp(−18.57 + 0.88  l )]. From these logistic parameter estimates, the 50% selection mantle length and selection range ( L ₇₅– L ₂₅) were calculated as 21.07 and 2.49 cm, respectively. The selection probability of oval squid whose mantle girth was equivalent to the mesh perimeter of the inner net was 0.09. Accordingly, oval squid of a girth smaller than the mesh perimeter were likely to pass through the mesh to escape from the net.     

东海区单层流刺网对棘绿鳍鱼的选择性

为了明晰东海区单层流刺网对棘绿鳍鱼的选择性特征,开展不同网目尺寸(45、50和55 mm)和网片高度(6和10 m)的单层流刺网生产实验。结果显示,不同实验网渔获物中棘绿鳍鱼体长频率呈单峰分布;选用Normal、Lognormal和Gamma模型对渔获数据进行拟合,并使用极大似然法估算模型参数,似然比卡方检验和赤池信息系数(AIC)比较表明,Lognormal模型拟合效果最佳,其卡方值为30.65,明显小于临界值,AIC值为147.78,模型曲线向右倾斜明显,峰值左侧选择率递增较快,右侧下降缓慢,与原始数据相符;50 mm网目50%选择性体长为123 mm,有效捕捞体长范围为123~209 mm;根据遭遇网具的棘绿鳍鱼资源结构估算结果,实验海域棘绿鳍鱼体长频率呈正态分布,优势体长范围为125~185 mm,与早期研究结果相近;50 mm网目有效捕捞体长范围与当前资源优势体长范围相近,可实现捕捞效率的最大化;总体上两种高度(6和10 m)实验网渔获物中,棘绿鳍鱼体长频率分布相似,优势体长范围相近,上述两种网片高度对棘绿鳍鱼资源的影响差异不显著。上述研究结果可为近海渔业生产和管理提供参考。     

广东大鹏湾虾拖网网囊网目选择性研究

虾拖网渔业是南海海域重要的作业方式之一,但尚未有关该渔业网目尺寸选择性的报道。为评价虾拖网渔具的渔获性能、合理利用虾类资源,在广东大鹏湾进行了网目选择性试验。试验采用双支架虾拖网作为试验网具,并使用套网法估算了网目内径为35、40和45 mm的网囊对主捕虾类的选择性。结果显示,虾类渔获中刀额新对虾、须赤虾、周氏新对虾和日本囊对虾渔获数量较多,比较以往资料,刀额新对虾和周氏新对虾优势体长、平均体长均有所下降,其它2种虾类平均体长未见明显变化;选择性分析结果显示,主捕虾类的L50随网目尺寸线性增大。根据试验结果并结合历史资料,笔者认为现阶段35 mm的网囊网目尺寸对于保护上述4种虾类资源是比较合适的。     

不同尺寸网目与缩结系数对许氏平鲉的选择性

为探究不同尺寸网目及缩结系数对许氏平鲉(Sebastesschlegelii)的选择性,本研究基于实验水槽中的套网法试验,测得许氏平鲉的生物学特征参数,采用Logistic模型曲线拟合得到不同尺寸网目及缩结系数对许氏平鲉的选择性曲线,并用极大似然法估算选择性参数。结果表明:网目尺寸为63 mm、82 mm、93 mm时,许氏平鲉的50%选择性体长(L50)分别为18.49 cm、23.90 cm、25.12 cm,选择范围(SR)分别为3.18、3.6、3.85,选择因素(SF)分别为2.93、2.91、2.70,随着网目尺寸的增大,许氏平鲉的L50、SR逐渐增大, SF逐渐减小;当82 mm网目的缩结系数(Et)分别为0.5、0.6、0.707时,许氏平鲉的50%选择性体长(L50)分别为21.47 cm、23.90 cm、22.02 cm,选择范围(SR)分别为3.23、3.6、3.38,选择因素(SF)分别为2.65、2.91、2.68,随着网目缩结系数的增大,许氏平鲉的L50、SR、SF先增大后减小,在Et为0.6时均达到最大。为保护许氏平鲉幼鱼资源,建议在鱼礁区使用网目规格为70 mm, Et为0.6的笼壶渔具进行采捕。     

东海近海蟹笼网目尺寸对三疣梭子蟹的选择性

不断壮大的东海近海笼壶渔业对三疣梭子蟹（Portunus trituberculatus）等甲壳类资源造成了巨大的压力,实施养护幼蟹的管理措施已成为渔业管理者和生产者的共同呼声。本研究通过海上对比试验,分析了放大网目尺寸对蟹笼渔获效率的影响,运用SELECT模型估算了蟹笼对三疣梭子蟹的尺寸选择性,结合混合影响模型探讨了作业时间和可捕群体对选择性分析的影响。结果显示,对照蟹笼（网目尺寸32.0 mm）与试验蟹笼（网目尺寸分别为52.3 mm和59.7 mm）的三疣梭子蟹渔获甲宽分布存在显著性差异;SELECT模型拟合结果显示试验蟹笼与对照蟹笼的相对作业强度无显著性差异,网目尺寸分别为52.3 mm和59.7 mm的试验蟹笼对三疣梭子蟹的50%选择甲宽（CW₅₀）分别为86.9 mm和90.9 mm,选择范围分别为15.9 mm和9.2 mm。试验蟹笼的CW₅₀远未达到浙江省等当前的最小可捕尺寸规定,表明蟹笼渔业中仅依靠放大网目尺寸可能难以实现幼蟹的有效释放。结果分析显示,在此次试验中作业时间和可捕群体的数量对蟹笼的选择性没有显著性影响。     

黄海不同型刺网的渔获选择性比较

为提高近海渔业资源养护型捕捞与管理技术,促进《全国海洋捕捞渔具目录》的实施,2014年9—10月在黄海进行了网目尺寸为40、50、60 mm的单片型刺网、双重型刺网和三重型刺网以及生产对照网的选择性对比试验。试验结果表明,相同网目尺寸的各型试验网的渔获种类间呈中等相似或极相似;渔获优势种为高眼鲽、细纹狮子鱼、黄、小黄鱼和白姑鱼,不同试验网的渔获优势种不同。40、50、60 mm的三重型刺网的单位捕捞努力量渔获量分别为相同网目尺寸的单片型刺网单位捕捞努力量渔获量的187%、174%和146%,对应的经济效益分别为单片型刺网经济效益的133%、112%和184%,小黄鱼幼鱼比例分别为单片型刺网的162%、342%和122%,高眼鲽幼鱼比例分别为单片型刺网的108%、277%和100%。渔获结构显示,单片型刺网对小黄鱼、鲐鱼和白姑鱼等纺锤型鱼类的选择性优于三重型刺网,而三重型刺网对高眼鲽、黄鮟鱇的选择性具有明显优势。     

Evaluation of a simple means to reduce discard in the Kattegat-Skagerrak Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) fishery: Commercial testing of different codends and square-mesh panels

Discarding of fish species in the Kattegat-Skagerrak Nephrops directed fisheries remains at high levels. In this work we have tested four sets of codends pair-wise with the catch comparison technique under full commercial conditions to assess their potential in reducing the catch of undersized commercial species, in particular cod. We investigate the position of a 90 mm square-mesh panel (SMP), the effect of increasing the mesh size from 90 to 120 mm in the SMP, the effect of inserting a 90 mm SMP in an 80 mm codend and the effect of increasing the codend mesh size from 90 to 120 mm in a total of 89 hauls. Inserting the SMP 3–6 m from the codline compared to 6–9 m from the codline, reduced catches of cod above the minimum landing size (MLS) and Nephrops above and below the MLS. Increasing the mesh size in the SMP from 90 to 120 mm increased the catch of cod above the MLS in weight with an overall increase of 12% in the revenue. The effect of installing a 90 mm SMP 6–9 m from the codline in a nominal 80 mm codend had no effect on the catch of cod. Increasing the nominal codend mesh size from 90 to 120 mm reduced the catch of all species below the MLS, except monkfish. Catches of Nephrops above the MLS were, however, reduced by approximately one third and the total loss in revenue was 21%.     

辽东湾不同型刺网捕捞性能的比较

为了提高近海渔业资源养护型捕捞与管理技术,促进《全国海洋捕捞渔具目录》的实施,2014年10-11月在辽东湾进行了网目尺寸为40 mm、50 mm、60 mm的单片刺网、双重刺网和三重刺网以及生产对照网的选择性对比实验.结果显示,各种实验网的渔获种类数均在6-9种之间,优势种口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)的优势度随网目尺寸的增大而减小,但花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicas)的优势度随网目尺寸的增大而增大.同型试验网在不同网目尺寸条件下的渔获量有显著性差异,其中,60 mm试验网与40 mm同型试验网的单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)比较,单片刺网为800％,双重刺网为650％,三重刺网为500％;而异型试验网在网目尺寸相同条件下对渔获量的影响相对较小.试验网的组内渔获组成平均相似度分别为单片刺网59.24％,双重刺网62.63％,三重刺网66.51％;组间分别为71.44％、67.50％和70.58％;对组内和组间平均相似度贡献最高的种类均为口虾蛄和花鲈.随着网目尺寸的增大,各型试验网的渔获物幼鱼比例呈下降趋势.     

近海张网对黄鲫和小黄鱼的年龄选择性研究

渔具对捕捞对象的年龄选择性对于渔业资源评估等工作是至关重要的,但相关研究较少。使用套网法对网囊网目尺寸分别为35 mm和45 mm的近海张网对黄鲫(Setipinna taty)和小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)的年龄选择性进行分析。数据分析采用2种年龄选择性曲线模型:即估算网囊对个体体长选择性后根据个体生长方程换算和直接使用Logistic曲线代表年龄选择性曲线;通过对渔获体长分布和年龄分布数据的拟合,结果显示,2种年龄选择性曲线均能较好地拟合数据,网囊对黄鲫和小黄鱼的50%选择年龄t50和年龄选择范围SRt均随着网目尺寸的增加而增加,35 mm和45 mm网目尺寸的网囊对黄鲫的t50分别约为4月龄和8月龄,对小黄鱼的t50分别约为0.6龄和1.5龄,明显小于黄鲫和小黄鱼的推荐开捕年龄,反映出目前近海张网渔具网目过小,可能会对幼鱼资源产生不利的影响。     

人工鱼礁区不同网目尺寸单片刺网对许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的选择性

为探究人工鱼礁区单片刺网对许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegeli)和大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)的选择性, 于 2021 年 10 月在荣成北部人工鱼礁区使用 4 种网目尺寸(40 mm、50 mm、60 mm、70 mm)的单片刺网进行选择性实验。在 SELECT 模型的架构下, 使用 Normal、Lognormal、Gamma、Bi-normal 模型进行选择性拟合, 根据赤池信息指数(AIC)和模型残差(MD)选择最佳拟合模型。结果表明: Lognormal 模型拟合效果最佳, 其 AIC 值和 MD 值均为最低值。根据 Lognormal 模型, 不同网目尺寸许氏平鲉的模型拟合长度分别为 114.23 mm、142.79 mm、 171.35 mm、199.90 mm; 大泷六线鱼的模型拟合长度分别为 129.67 mm、162.09 mm、194.51 mm、226.92 mm。许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的体长与最大剖面周长的线性关系分别为: G=0.2877L+0.7463(R² =0.6722), G=0.2468L– 3.8531(R² =0.6851)。选取 150 mm 作为许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的理论成熟体长(MBL)进行分析, 结合幼鱼留存比例, 发现网目尺寸为 60 mm 和 70 mm 的刺网能够保护人工鱼礁区许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的幼鱼资源。研究结果可为人工鱼礁区渔业资源的管理和养护提供参考。     

Tailoring codend mesh size to improve the size selectivity of undifferentiated trawl species

Tiger flathead, Neoplatycephalus richardsoni (Castelnau), and sand flathead, Platycephalus bassensis Cuvier, are undifferentiated and managed with a common legal minimum length (LML). The Commonwealth Trawl Sector (CTS) and the Tasmanian Danish‐seine fishery (TDSF) use a minimum codend mesh sizes of 90 and 70 mm, respectively. The codend mesh size should be tailored to the LML, which is based on the length of first maturity of females (M₅₀). This study found the length–girth relationship of N. richardsoni and P. bassensis was not significantly different. Using the covered codend method, these two species had 50% retention lengths (L₅₀) of 294 ± 2 and 307 ± 3 mm, in 70‐mm and 90‐mm codends, respectively. L₅₀ estimates for mesh sizes from this study and others produced a curvilinear relationship: y = 120 ln(x) ? 214, with an r² of 0.8504. The size at maturity (M₅₀) for female N. richardsoni was 337 mm, which is larger than the estimate for female P. bassensis (247 mm). There is a mismatch between the estimates of L_50, the estimates of M₅₀ and the LMLs in each fishery, leading to suboptimal exploitation of female Platycephalus. The model produced in this paper recommends a codend mesh size of 98 mm for both fisheries to exploit Platycephalus species sustainably.