Escapement from the main body of the bottom trawl used for the Mediterranean international trawl survey (MEDITS)

Escapement through the body or under the footrope of the sampling trawl used for the Mediterranean international trawl survey programme (MEDITS) was assessed i) by means of visual observations performed with a towed operating vehicle equipped with a high-sensitivity video camera, and ii) by attaching small bags to the outside of the trawl body and under the footrope. Due to the small size of most of the individuals present in the study area and to the towing speed, fish behaviour in front of the trawl could not be frequently observed. In contrast, their behaviour was easily observed inside the net, especially upstream and inside the codend. Some species, such as horse mackerel (Trachurus sp.), showed greater swimming endurance compared with others such as annular seabream (Diplodus annularis). In three fishing trips conducted in different seasons in 1996 and 1997 to obtain data on several species in different areas of the Adriatic, six small net bags were mounted outside the body of the MEDITS trawl to quantify escapement through the trawl belly and under the footrope. Significant escapement of many species occurred in the near-bottom part of the side panels. Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) had the highest rate (64 %), mainly represented by small-size individuals. The escapement of greater forkbeard (Phycis blennoides) was also high (53 %). For hake (Merluccius merluccius), common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) and poor cod (Trisopterus minutus capelanus), rates ranged from 10 to 16 %. The escapement of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) was very low despite their great abundance. Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) escaped mainly through the mid-height part of the side panel. This great variability of escapement values could affect the proportion rates of the species sampled during a standard survey. Different escape behaviours among size classes were observed for M. poutassou, T. minutus capelanus and P. erythrinus, with smaller individuals tending to escape towards the bottom and larger ones towards the higher parts of the trawl body. In the species where the escape rate was size-dependent, therefore, the size-frequency distributions obtained from the codend catch may not reflect actual size-frequency distributions.     

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.     

The potential for new Nephrops trawl designs to positively effect North Sea stocks of cod,haddock and whiting

Within commercial fisheries, particularly mixed fisheries, both target and non-target species are often discarded. Discarding represents a potentially significant loss to the productivity of fish stocks; it can have damaging ecological consequences, and is a potential cause of the failure of recovery plans. The Nephrops fishery in the North Sea is classified as a mixed fishery. Nephrops trawls are constructed with smaller meshes than trawls used to target whitefish; consequently, the bycatch of juvenile fish can be substantial. Several new Nephrops trawl designs have been tested in the North Sea. The data from these trials are used to investigate the potential impact of their implementation on cod, haddock and whiting stocks in the North Sea (including the Kattegat and Skagerrak).The model examines five trawl designs, and also the scenarios of a cessation of discarding in all North Sea fisheries and in just the Nephrops fishery. The model is deterministic, and evaluates the relative differences between scenarios assuming all other variables remain constant. If discarding of cod, haddock and whiting in the North Sea fisheries were eliminated, stocks would increase by 41%, 14% and 29%, respectively, within 10 years. Eliminating discarding in the Nephrops fishery alone would increase stocks by 2%, 1% and 13%, respectively, reflecting the relative proportion of catches of these species in the Nephrops fishery. For cod and haddock, the introduction of the Nephrops trawl with a grid with a square-mesh codend was the only scenario in which a notable increase in stock number was observed. This trawl design facilitates the escape of fish of all ages/sizes from the trawl, effectively making the Nephrops fishery a single-species fishery. For whiting, stock numbers and landings increased under all scenarios, but forecasted landings were lower than if current discard patterns continued in all except the no-discards scenario. The dependency of the results on the validity of the assumptions and on the accuracy of the input data is discussed.     

Improving the effectiveness of escape windows in directed Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus trawl fisheries

A substantial improvement in the bycatch selectivity of Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus trawls is required, particularly with respect to cod Gadus morhua, whose stocks are at low levels in several areas. Conventional escape windows are not adequate to properly release cod and other bycatch species caught in the trawls. To address this issue, we developed a novel sorting box concept consisting of a four-panel section with a window on the top in order to improve the escape of cod and other bycatch species through an escape window while retaining the target catch of Norway lobster. The concept was tested on a commercial trawler in Kattegat and Skagerrak. Two different window mesh sizes and two different sorting box heights were tested using a traditional codend cover and a dual codend cover. We observed greatly reduced bycatches of both cod and other fish species compared to a standard codend. The reduction in bycatch decreased with decreasing mesh size and increasing height of the sorting box. Escape of Norway lobster through the escape window was limited. A modified version of the sorting box concept was implemented in the Kattegat fishery from 2009 onwards.     

Capture efficiency of a multi-species survey trawl for Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in the Newfoundland region

An experiment was carried out during September of 2001 to estimate the relative catching efficiency of the NAFC's (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre) standard survey bottom trawl, the Campelen 1800 shrimp trawl, for Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio). Secondary trawls were mounted underneath the main trawl directly behind the footgear to estimate escapement of crab passing underneath the main trawl. Overall, the capture efficiency of the survey trawl was found to be much lower than 1.0 and highly variable, with variability being strongly related to substrate type and Snow Crab size. The probability of capture monotonically increased with crab size, and was higher on soft than on hard substrates. Three substrate-specific capture efficiency functions were defined; (1) efficiency was highest (about 0.73–0.95), and least dependent on crab size, on the softest mud substrate; (2) efficiency was lower (about 0.39–0.70) and linearly related to crab size throughout a soft mud–sand substrate; and (3) efficiency was lowest (about 0.05–0.33) on a variety of hard substrates within relatively shallow water. Our models over-estimated true efficiency because secondary trawls were not fully efficient, i.e., crab escaped underneath their footgear. Nevertheless, our experiment demonstrated that substrate type can affect capture efficiency and annual changes in trawl configuration or in Snow Crab distribution in relation to substrate type will affect survey biomass estimates. Additional studies using various approaches could provide a basis for standardizing survey catches for varying capture efficiency effects and refining survey-based estimates of biomass and exploitation rates of Snow Crab.     

The fishery for Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Adriatic Sea (Italy): Preliminary observations comparing bottom trawl and baited creels

The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is mainly targeted by bottom trawlers whose selectivity (mesh size = 40 mm stretch) with respect to this species is poor producing large quantities of discards both in terms of demersal fish species and undersized Nephrops. The Pomo pit (central Adriatic Sea) is a very important nursery area for European hake, Merluccius merluccius, but is also the main trawling ground for the Adriatic fleet exploiting Nephrops. The use of baited creels may constitute an alternative to bottom trawling. This paper summarises experimental data collected from the western Pomo pit in order to compare bottom trawl and baited creel catches with the aim of evaluating the ecological consequences of creeling. Because of high scavenger activity in the area, the effect of this on the creel fishery was also investigated.A large fraction of the trawl catch was composed of juvenile undersized individuals of commercial species, the same was not true for creels. Composition of Nephrops catches differed markedly between creels and the bottom trawl. Scavenger activity was very high. The results indicate that ecologically the use of baited creels appears to be a valid alternative to bottom trawling but, unfortunately, may not comprise an economically viable solution in the investigated area, which is 30 nautical miles offshore.     

The use of at‐sea‐sampling data to dissociate environmental variability in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) catches to improve resource exploitation efficiency within the Skagerrak/Kattegat trawl fishery

Research into the influence of environmental variables on the behaviour of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), and hence catch rates, dates back to the 1960s (e.g., Höglund and Dybern, Diurnal and seasonal variations in the catch‐composition of Nephrops norvegicus (L.) at the Swedish west coast. ICES CM 1965/I46; Simpson, Variations in the catches of Nephrops norvegicus at different times of day and night. Rapport et Proés‐verbaux des Réunions Conseil permanent international pour 1'Exploration de la Mer 156:186). However, the use of fishery‐dependent data in identifying influential factors is relatively limited and only includes a number of papers on a limited dataset (e.g., Redant and De Clark, Diurnal variations in CPUE and length composition of the catches in a Nephrops directed fishery in the Central North Sea. ICES CM 1984/K:3; Maynou and Sardà, Influence of environmental factors on commercial trawl catches of Nephrops norvegicus (L.). ICES J. Mar. Sci. 58:1318). Here, we aimed to dissociate environmental variability in Norway lobster catches to improve resource exploitation efficiency within the Skagerrak and Kattegat trawl fisheries by utilising data collected as part of an extensive at‐sea‐sampling programme spanning 16 years. Catch rates were modelled using Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs) and considered a range of response variables, including depth, temperature, current speed, season, moon phase and time of day. The results obtained herein showed that time of day, season, depth, temperature, year, trawl type and location all significantly affect catch rates of Nephrops.     

Direct estimation of stock abundance of Pacific saury <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cololabis saira</Emphasis> in the northwestern Pacific Ocean using a mid-water trawl

Drifting gill-nets were for a long time the main research gear for investigating the distribution of Pacific saury Cololabis saira. However, it has proven to be difficult to estimate the absolute abundance of saury using drifting gill-nets due to a lack of knowledge on the survey areas swept by these gill-nets. A mid-water trawl stock abundance estimation has the advantage of being able to estimate the absolute stock abundance before the commercial fishing season begins, whereas the conventional stock abundance estimation based on catch per unit efforts of commercial fisheries must be done after the commercial fishing season has ended. To confirm the practicality of a mid-water trawl to estimate the stock abundance of saury, we conducted a comparative survey in the northwestern Pacific Ocean using both a mid-water trawl and drifting gill-nets. We found that the geographic distribution pattern of catch per unit effort for both the mid-water trawl and driftnets was similar. Using the area-swept method and data on the fishing efficiency of the mid-water trawl obtained in a previous study, we were able to estimate the stock abundance plus confidence limits within the research areas. Our results suggest that the size composition of saury sampled by the mid-water trawl can be considered to approximate the actual size composition of saury.     

我国当前南海南部拖网渔业的困局和对策

南海南部渔场是广西拖网渔船在南海外海的传统作业区域之一。然而,近年来该海域渔业涉外事故频发,广西渔船损失惨重。为了规避涉外事故,广西拖网渔船不得不频频中断正常生产,转移到南海外海其它涉外风险较低的渔场作业。2013年5月以后,在南海外海生产的广西拖网渔船陆续撤出南海南部,至今未恢复生产。本文采用南海捕捞信息动态采集网络和信息渔船2013年的生产记录,通过统计及对比,分析拖网渔船从南海南部转移后面临的困境和成因。结果表明,渔船转移到6°N以北的南海外海渔场生产,单位捕捞努力量渔获量（CPUE）减少31.25%、优质鱼类所占的比例明显下降、全部航次亏损,生产难以为继。目前南海南部的生产态势明显不利于南海外海渔业的发展。本文提出恢复和坚持南海南部生产是南海外海拖网渔业发展的基础,有关部门应加强渔场巡航护渔、组织综合编队生产及加大对渔船开发南海南部渔业资源的支持力度。为了进一步发展南海外海拖网生产,建议在南海南部探索试验共同渔区模式。     

Effects of a research trawl on a hard-bottom assemblage of sponges and corals

The effects of a research trawl on several sponge and coral species was assessed in a shallow-water, hard-bottom area located southeast of Savannah, Georgia. The study entailed a census of the numerically dominant species in replicate 25-m² quadrats located along five transects established across a trawling alley. The density of undamaged sponges and corals was assessed in trawled and non-trawled (control) portions of each transect immediately before, immediately after, and 12 months after a 40/54 roller-rigged trawl was dragged through the alley once. Some damage to individuals of all target species was observed immediately after trawling, but only the density of barrel sponges (Cliona spp.) was significantly reduced. The extent of damage to the other sponges (Ircinia campana, Haliclona oculata), octocorals (Leptogorgia virgulata, Lophogorgia hebes, Titanideum frauenfeldii) and hard corals (Oculina varicosa) varied depending on the species, but changes in density were not statistically significant. Twelve months after trawling, the abundance of specimens counted in the trawled quadrats had increased to pre-trawl densities or greater, and damage to the sponges and corals could no longer be detected due to healing and growth. Trawl damage observed in this study was less severe than the damage reported for a similar habitat in a previous study. Differences between the two studies are attributed to (1) differences in the rollerrig design of the trawls used, and (2) differences in the number of times the same bottom was trawled.     

Optimising codend configuration in a multispecies demersal trawl fishery

Abstract The relative efficiencies and selectivities of conventional and modified codends were examined in a demersal trawl fishery targeting several species, including eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus (Hess), whiting, Sillago spp. and cephalopods. The modifications to codends included: (i) reducing the circumference; (ii) increasing the mesh size in conventional diamond‐mesh designs; and (iii) orientating meshes on the bar so that they were square shaped. The codends were tested against a fine‐meshed control in paired comparisons onboard three commercial trawlers. The conventional codend comprised 41‐mm diamond‐shaped mesh attached to an anterior extension section at a ratio of 150 to 100 meshes and was demonstrated to be non‐selective for the targeted species. Reducing codend circumference to 100 meshes and increasing the size of mesh to 45 mm both improved selection for eastern king prawns, but the lateral mesh openings were estimated to be insufficient to allow juveniles of the other key species to escape. By contrast, codends made from 35‐ and 41‐mm mesh hung on the bar improved the size selection for eastern king prawns and selected stout whiting, Sillago robusta (Stead) (the smallest commercial‐sized fish) across narrow selection ranges and at 50% sizes of retention (L₅₀s) that were closely correlated to the transverse morphology of fish and the maximum mesh opening. With the exception of a reduction in catches of octopus, Octopus spp., by the 41‐square codend, there were no other impacts on commercial catches by the square‐mesh designs. It was concluded that diamond‐mesh codends are inappropriate for use throughout this multispecies fishery and that a modified design comprising at least 35‐mm mesh hung on the bar is required to minimise the fishing mortality of unwanted sizes of the key target species. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of these types of modifications for closely regulating selection in penaeid‐shrimp trawls.     

东海区拖虾渔业概况分析

虾类是东海区的主要捕捞对象之一。东海区的拖虾渔业以虾类为主要捕捞目标,发展之初对于促进捕捞结构调整、减轻主要经济鱼类的捕捞压力起了重要作用。但是随着该种作业方式生产规模的不断扩大、生产渔船和渔具的大型化,渔获物中经济虾类和兼捕幼虾的矛盾日益突出,对东海区的渔业资源造成较大程度的破环。本文主要介绍了东海区拖虾渔业的发展和资源概况,主要经济虾类的种类、分布、作业渔船的产量和数量变化,分析了东海区拖虾渔业中存在的问题和所采取的措施,并提出了解决问题的建议。     

Definition, dynamics and stability of métiers in the Irish otter trawl fleet

The Irish otter trawl fleet operates in a complex multi-species multi-gear fishery, spanning a wide geographic area, and involving around 275 trawlers. Factorial and clustering methods were applied to 2003 fishing trip data to define thirty-three métiers. Definitions were based on six trip characteristics taken from logbooks, namely: fishing gear, mesh size, vessel length, species composition, area, and month. Métiers exploiting demersal species or species groups are characterised by single vessel bottom otter trawls, typically with mesh sizes of 70 mm or more, operating year round. This includes nine Nephrops dominated métiers highlighting the importance of this species to the fleet. Many demersal métiers are characterised by groups of species, such as mixed whitefish or slope species. Métiers exploiting pelagic species are often focussed on single species, and are typically seasonal, mid-water trawling (often paired) with mesh sizes less than 70 mm. Pelagic métiers account for the majority of landings by over an order of magnitude in several cases. Demersal métiers account for the majority of fishing trips and effort, (primarily Nephrops métiers), and vessels (primarily mixed species métiers). The new métier definitions were found to be appropriate remained relevant despite declining fleet landings and effort between 2003 and 2006. Species compositions within these métiers have generally remained similar to the proportions defined in 2003. These robust métier definitions present opportunities to improve fisheries sampling, assessment and management. Although métiers pose complexity challenge for such applications they can be used the building blocks for appropriate management units.     

A bio-economic indicators suite for the appraisal of the demersal trawl fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” (Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.     

聚乙烯编织线替代普通聚乙烯捻线对拖网性能的影响

聚乙烯编织网线比普通聚乙烯捻线强度高,用编织线来替代目前的普通捻线,可降低拖网渔具的阻力从而达到节能降耗的目的。本文通过实际取样测试,比较了两种网线的拉伸性能,在不降低原拖网渔具的单线结强力的前提下,用聚乙烯编织线代替原普通捻线,并通过模型试验研究其对拖网渔具性能的影响和节能效果。结果表明:单线结强力相同的两种网线,编织线的直径可比普通网线的直径下降15.17%以上。本试验编织线拖网的平均网线直径比原普通捻线拖网下降16.00%,网具阻力面积(线面积)从304.57 m2下降到256.47 m2,下降了15.79%。同等试验条件下,编织线拖网的阻力比普通捻线拖网下降17.25%左右,而网口高度的变化则不明显。能耗系数的计算结果为编织线拖网过滤同体积的水体所消耗的能量比普通捻线拖网下降16.67%。功率消耗的分析表明,消耗同样的功率,440 kW的双拖渔船使用编织线拖网,拖速可比普通捻线拖网提高8.33%,如采用和普通捻线拖网同样的拖速作业,则去掉起、放网所消耗的时间,以一天正常拖网作业18 h计算,可节约燃油77 L左右。     

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。     

高强度PA单丝拖网水槽试验研究

强度相同条件下,聚酰胺(PA)单丝网衣的水阻力比聚乙烯(PE)捻线网衣的要小,所以在普通PE网衣拖网中,可以对部分网衣结构设计替换高强度PA单丝网衣,以降低拖网阻力,达到节能降耗的目的。以虾拖网为实物拖网,按照田内模型试验准则,设计改进型PA网衣的模型拖网,通过水槽模型试验,对比研究改进型PA网衣和传统PE网衣的拖网渔具性能和节能效果。试验结果显示,在相同拖速条件下,水平扩张比(L/S)为0.40、0.50、0.60时,改进型模型拖网比对照模型拖网所受阻力分别可降低12.14%、8.11%、6.00%,网口高度分别可提高20.00%、22.09%、25.64%,网口扩张系数分别可提高28.57%、27.27%、30.00%,能耗系数分别可减少30.61%、29.32%、29.18%。研究表明,高强度PA单丝网衣拖网能起到降低渔具阻力、提高拖网性能的作用,可在渔业生产中推广应用。     

Development of a low-energy midwater trawl with different combinations of trawl nets and trawl doors through model experiments

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fisheries are of primary concern because of their effects on the environment. GHG emissions from fisheries are mainly related to their fuel consumption. Furthermore, the fuel consumption of fisheries also influences their economics. Therefore, many studies have been conducted to find ways of reducing fuel consumption in fishing operations that use fishing gear. The fuel consumption of fishing gear is generally related to its hydrodynamic resistance and the distance traveled. It mostly depends on the drag created, which is affected by towing speed. Based on model experiments, this study proposes new designs of trawl net and trawl doors to reduce fuel consumption in fisheries. The low-energy midwater trawl developed here can reduce the resistance force on the gear by 37.5%. It can also save 17% of the fuel consumption per voyage. Furthermore, this study investigates the efficiency of a low-energy trawl from an economic point of view. The findings of this study will be useful in reducing GHG emissions in fishing operations and thus contribute to a reduction in fishing costs through fuel savings.     

Size selection by diamond- and square-mesh codends in multi-species Mediterranean demersal trawl fisheries

Mediterranean demersal trawl fisheries traditionally operate using small diamond-shape meshes in the codend, which tend to retain almost all animals. We investigated the effect of mesh configuration on the size selectivity of nine species (the scaldfish Arnoglossus laterna, the broad-tail shortfin squid Illex coindettii, the European hake Merluccius merluccius, the red mullet Mullus barbatus, the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus, the common pandora Pagellus erythrinus, the deepwater rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris, the Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus and the poor-cod Trisopterus minutus capelanus) commonly captured in the Mediterranean demersal trawls. Two codends having meshes with the same opening (ca. 38 mm) but different mesh configuration (DM38: diamond-mesh and SM38: square-mesh configuration) were fished daily and alternately on the same trawl. They demonstrated a substantial improvement in selectivity with square-mesh. Selectivity was measured using the covered codend technique, the cover being supported by circular hoops.The results were analysed taking into account the between-haul variation in selectivity. Two other important external variables were identified: the trawling depth and the codend catch, which for some species influenced between-haul variation, but there was no evidence of a coherent effect on selectivity parameters.The selectivity of 40 mm diamond-mesh codend has been reported to be rather poor because a large proportion of the codend catch is immature and smaller than the minimum landing size (MLS) or first maturity size. With the exception of the flatfish (A. laterna), the effect of a change of mesh configuration from diamond- to square-mesh on size selectivity positively affected the retention length at 50% (L₅₀). However, square-meshes were found to be unsuitable for flat and/or deep-bodied fish as these escape more readily from diamond-meshes.The Council Regulation (EC) No. 1967/2006, concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean, establishes the MLS of marine organisms. However, the increase in L₅₀ with square-mesh would not avoid some of the existing contradictions in allowing the use of codend mesh which leads to lower L₅₀ than the MLS.     

What can be expected of a T90 extension piece to improve selectivity in bottom trawl multispecific fisheries in the Bay of Biscay?

In the Bay of Biscay, the selective properties of otter trawls have mainly been studied with regard to single species. However, for bottom trawl multispecific fisheries targeting fish, it remains challenging to find a selective device capable of limiting catches of small individuals of several species without commercial losses. The present study focuses on an innovative technical solution to reduce catches of undersized individuals in a multispecies bottom trawl fishery in the Bay of Biscay. We tested a cylinder made of 100-mm diamond meshes turned at 90°, namely T90 inserted in the extension piece. We present the selectivity results obtained for six commercial species. This device allows the escape of small Solea solea, Trachurus trachurus and Spondyliosoma cantharus individuals. No commercial losses of Sepia officinalis were recorded. Patterns for Dicentrarchus labrax and Mullus surmuletus require further investigation due to limited fish size ranges in the dataset.