Analysis of mesh breaking loads in cotton gill nets: Possible solution to ghost fishing

ABSTRACT:   A small number of fishers in Chiba Prefecture of eastern Japan use cotton gill nets to catch Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus. To examine the advantages of cotton gill nets, we analyzed changes in mesh breaking load of a new cotton gill net used in a fishing operation. A new cotton gill net was also soaked in a seawater tank to simulate ghost fishing conditions. The average mesh breaking load of new cotton mesh was 50.3 N. This value decreased to 19.0 N after 38 days (∼912 h), and after 82 days (∼1968 h) the mesh could be easily torn (breaking load 0.07 N). Under fishing conditions, the cumulative soak time was only 744.4 h over 19 months. The average breaking load at the end of this period was 43.1 N, a strength 86% that of the presoaked mesh. The mesh breaking load of a cotton gill net continuously soaked for 744.4 h was 26.1 N, as estimated from tank experiment data. Thus, a cotton gill net maintains reasonable strength under typical use conditions, but will degrade if lost at sea.     

基于渔捞日志的海阳市流刺网船渔获状况分析

为探明流刺网船的捕捞作业情况,根据海阳市2014—2016年流刺网船的渔捞日志,对流刺网船渔获状况进行了分析,并对近海渔业资源利用动态进行了初步探讨。研究表明:流刺网船分为4种作业类型,分别是A类:交替使用海蜇(Rhopilema esculentum)漂流三重刺网、鲅鱼漂流单片刺网和对虾漂流三重刺网;B类:交替使用海蜇漂流三重刺网、对虾漂流三重刺网和青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)漂流单片刺网;C类:交替使用海蜇漂流三重刺网、鲅鱼漂流单片刺网、对虾漂流三重刺网和单拖网;D类:交替使用海蜇漂流三重刺网、对虾漂流三重刺网、青鳞小沙丁鱼漂流单片刺网和单拖网。B类的全年单船日平均渔获量低于同一年的其它3类,C、D两类的全年单船日平均渔获量年间波动较大,C类和D类大部分月份单船日平均渔获量都高于A类和B类。结果显示,不同类型各年常见优势种为海蜇、口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)和三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus),夏季4类作业类型渔获物群落结构相似度较高,A、C类在春季或秋季的部分月份渔获物群落结构相似度高,B、D类在春季和秋季的部分月份群落结构相似度较高。     

Relationship between soak time and number of enmeshed animals in experimentally lost gill nets

In order to determine the effects of ghost fishing by lost gill nets, the relationship was examined between soak time and number of enmeshed animals in experimentally lost gill nets by using diving observations. Two experimental gill nets were set at 13 m depth in Tateyama Bay, Chiba Prefecture, Japan for approximately 200 days. One gill net was deployed in a small trough surrounded by artificial reefs, and the other was deployed on an adjacent open sandy bed. Twelve species of crustaceans, six species of gastropods, and five species of bony fish were enmeshed in the experimental gill nets. The number of enmeshed animals in the artificial reef gill net was substantially larger than that in the sandy bed gill net. The number of enmeshed animals in the experimental gill nets increased rapidly within one month after deployment, and then declined gradually showing fluctuations caused by the decrease in newly enmeshed animals, and the drop off from gill nets caused by the decomposition of dead animals. The decrease in the number of enmeshed animals was expressed by logarithmic equations, and based on these equations, the duration of capture function for the lost gill nets was calculated to be 284–561 days in the artificial reef gill net and 200 days in the sandy bed gill net. The duration of capture function for the lost gill nets for non-commercial by-catch species such as small crustaceans and gastropods was longer than for commercial species such as Japanese spiny lobster and bony fish.     

闽东渔场底层三重流刺网作业调查分析

底层三重流刺网作业是福建省闽东地区近几年发展起来具有一定代表性的作业。笔者通过调查霞浦县三沙镇189艘流刺网作业船,占全镇总数的89%,分析其经济效益及对渔业资源的利用情况。结果表明,目前闽东的底层三重流刺网已经完全替代了传统的流刺网。该网具的渔获物选择性较强,渔场适应性广,生产水平高,效益好,但由于网目规格偏小,对经济鱼类的幼鱼损害较大,要适度发展该作业则应限制网目使用最小规格,以减少渔业资源损害,保障渔业资源的可持续利用。     

A method for calculating numerical estimates of gear selectivity curve

The present paper proposes a method for estimating the numerical curve of gear selectivity without the assumption of function of selectivity curve and estimating confidence intervals, using data of catch per unit effort at length for several nets of different mesh sizes obtained from fishing experiments. The paper assumes such geometric similarity as the selectivity is the same if the rate of fish length to mesh size is the same. The basic idea is due to a technique of numerical integration that uses the derivatives at various points. The natural logarithm of selectivity is expressed by an approximation equation using its cumulated derivatives. The values of derivatives at various lengths are calculated from the data. The confidence intervals are made from the bootstrap samples. The method was applied to the data of catch at length by mesh size of gill net for pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha . Data collection, modification and issues of the method are discussed.     

Effect of thin twine on gill net size-selectivity analyzed with the direct estimation method

ABSTRACT: To analyze the effect of thin twine on gill net size selectivity, a series of fishing experiments using gill nets of two twine thicknesses (no. 0.8 of 0.16 mm diameter and no. 3 of 0.28 mm diameter) and three nominal mesh sizes (41 mm, 46 mm and 51 mm) was conducted in outdoor water tanks containing a rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) population of known size frequency. For nets of the same nominal mesh size, mesh openings of the no. 0.8 twine nets were approximately 2 mm larger than those of the no. 3 twine nets. The effects of both mesh opening and twine thickness are combined in the conventional analysis with the selectivity curve against fish length. Selectivity against the ratio of fish girth to mesh perimeter was calculated to avoid the direct effect of changes in mesh openings due to twine diameter at the same nominal mesh size. Results demonstrated that the thinner twine gill net was more likely to capture rainbow trout of smaller girth than the mesh perimeter. Fish with girths smaller than the mesh perimeter were often retained by the net with its body tangled by the thinner twine, possibly due to the increased flexibility of the thinner twine.     

福建海洋捕捞"技术效率"的时间序列分析

根据1981-2003年福建省渔业统计及相关调查资料，应用DEA法，分析了全省海洋捕捞作业及五种主要作业捕捞“技术效率”的年间变化，结果表明：1981～2003年全省海洋捕捞作业综合“技术效率”的变化范围为61．8％～100%，平均为76．4％，综合“技术效率”的年间变化呈现先降后升的态势；1990年以来，全省灯光围网和张网作业捕捞能力的发挥比较好，其次为刺网和底拖网作业，钓具作业捕捞能力的发挥较差；渔获选择性低的底拖网和张网作业的捕捞“技术趋势”年间变化保持平稳上升，渔获选择性高或较高的刺网、钓具和灯光围网作业的捕捞“技术趋势”年间变化则呈波动式上升或处于波动状态；各种投入因子对不同作业类型的捕捞”技术效率”的约束力各不相同，主动性较大的底拖网和灯光围网作业对渔船功率的依赖程度相当大，而主动性较小的刺网、钓具作业和被动性的张网作业，对网(钓)具使用数量的依赖度较大；作业天数对五种作业类型的“技术效率”发挥都有不同程度的影响。     

Gill net selectivity for perch (Perca fluviatilis) in the Szczecin Lagoon, Poland

This paper presents the scientific basis for changes in the minimum mesh size in gill nets, from 28 to 30 mm, introduced by fishery management in Poland to limit the catch of undersized perch (those less than 17 cm total length). Experimental fishing with six different mesh sizes was performed in accordance with commercial fisheries practice. A bi-normal selection curve was fitted to the data by including the between-set variation in the model. The locations of the primary and secondary modes of the bi-normal curve on the transformed length scale (length/mesh) were estimated to be 6.95 and 7.41, respectively. The results indicated that a minimum mesh size in gill nets of 28 mm should be sufficient to ensure a low level of discards as well as protecting the interests of fishermen.     

Examination of net volume reduction of gravity-type open-net fish cages under sea currents

Owing to heavy criticisms of nearshore fish farming for causing environmental pollution and encroaching on sea space used for shipping, boating, recreational sea activities and marine eco-tourism, offshore fish farming has now being seriously considered. Moreover an offshore site provides more pristine water and greater space for increased fish production. However, offshore fish farming poses challenges such as a more energetic sea environment. A higher sea current can lead to large deformation of fish net and hence a net volume reduction which compromises fish welfare. With the view to identifying the effects of various important parameters on net volume reduction of a gravity-type open-net fish cage, this paper adopts a mass-spring model for the dynamic analysis of current-induced net deformations of cylindrical fish nets with discrete weights hanging at the bottom edge of the nets. In this model, the net mesh comprises knot nodes and bar nodes connected by tension-only massless springs. The spring stiffness is determined from the net bar diameters and material properties. The current-induced loads are applied to each node and calculated based on Morrison’s equation. The governing equation system for nodal motions can be established according to Newton’s second law, and solved by using the Runge-Kutta method for the real-time net deformations. The effects of net string reinforcements, weight distributions and net shapes on the net volume reduction are studied with the view to shed insights into how one may improve fish cage designs to effectively mitigate net deformation under high sea current speeds in offshore fish farming sites.     

The sinking performance of the tuna purse seine gear with large-meshed panels using numerical method

This paper reports an improved version of the numerical method used in a previous study on the dynamic simulation of purse seine gear in three dimensions. The improvement is achieved by refining the mass–spring model to take into account both the drag coefficient as a function of the attack angle and Reynolds number as applied to the setting operation of the purse seine gear. The validity of the numerical simulation is assessed by comparing the measured and calculated values for the sinking depth of the net. The numerical simulation is used to examine the sinking performance of the different designs in which large meshed-panels and netting materials are used together in the main body section of the netting. The results indicate that, compared to the prototype net, nets bearing larger mesh panels require more sinking depth with much more pronounced operational depth at corresponding times of the fishing operation when heavier netting material is used. Moreover, in the new net designs, lower tensile forces are exerted on both ends of the pure wire during pursing. The new net constructions with regard to the operational depth represent alternatives that may reduce the potential problem of frequent failed setting of the tuna purse seine gear.     

南极磷虾桁杆拖网网型结构与作业性能之间的关系

桁杆拖网是南极磷虾连续泵吸桁杆拖网捕捞系统重要组成部分之一,为深入了解该系统中桁杆拖网的作业性能特征,促进网具作业性能优化,本研究通过模型试验开展了网型结构和沉子重量对网具作业性能影响的探索,网型结构包括6种(3种腹网宽度,每种宽度采用2种缝合方式),分别以A、B、C、AA、BB和CC表示,沉子重量3种。综合比较表明,不同试验网型作业性能优劣排序为BB>CC>C>A>B>AA,但差异不显著。缩小腹网宽度和斜目缝合均能有效提高网口垂直扩张、降低能耗系数,提高网具作业性能,尤其适用于较高拖速的作业场景。沉子重量与网具阻力、网口垂直扩张均呈显著正相关,但与能耗系数相关性不明显;为促进网口垂直扩张,合适的沉子重量配备随拖速增加而递增,拖速1.5 m/s的条件下,各试验网型其沉子配重应不低于3.05 t。试验条件下,各网型的网具阻力、能耗系数变化趋势较平稳,递变斜率变化较小,网具阻力与拖速呈幂函数关系,指数介于1.49～1.64。以上结论可为南极磷虾桁杆拖网属具配备以及优化设计提供参考。     

基于北斗船位数据的流刺网网次和方向提取方法研究

渔船监测系统(vessel monitoring system,VMS)在渔业管理中发挥着重要作用,一直以来都受到各国及渔业组织的重视,我国近海渔船主要采用基于北斗的VMS系统。刺网是我国主要的捕捞作业方式之一,提出一种使用北斗数据提取流刺网作业网次以及网长和方向的方法。该方法使用阈值综合判别的方法判断捕捞作业的状态,通过航速、空间距离、时间间隔和航向变化的阈值判别作业时收网状态的船位点,然后根据收网状态的起始点判定放网状态的起始点。根据范例中提取的516组网次,使用程序判别的船位点和人工判断的船位点有74%相同,表明有较好的一致性,具有精度高、处理快速、实时程度高的特点。该方法可为我国渔业管理和相关研究提供新的手段,并可应用于捕捞控制、海上执法等多个领域。     

黄渤海区张网渔业

2010年6～7月,利用抽样调查方法对黄渤海区32个主要渔港、渔村的张网渔业进行了实地调查和现场测量。依据调查资料并结合2009年度河北、辽宁、山东以及天津三省一市的渔具渔法调查报告、1983～2009年中国渔业年鉴中记载的张网捕捞产量分类统计资料,对黄渤海区的张网渔业进行了研究。结果表明,1998年张网产量最高,达90.43万t,贡献率为17.18%,此后逐年波动下降。当前,张网是黄渤海区捕捞作业的重要渔具渔法之一,处在第3位,年产量为38.15万t,贡献率为10.49%。目前在黄渤海区进行捕捞作业的张网共有4个型、7个式、19种张网网型、总量69万顶。辽宁省的张网数量占三省一市张网数量的53.54%,主要分布在辽东湾作业;河北省的张网数量占24.69%,主要分布在渤海湾作业;山东省的张网数量占23.08%,主要分布在日照至烟台近海作业。其中以捕捞海蜇、虾类和小杂鱼为主的并列单片张网占54.51%;以捕捞毛虾为主的双锚竖杆张网占16.12%。大多数张网的最小网目尺寸均在4～30mm之间。综合分析表明,张网在黄渤海区渔业中所占比重较大、选择性较差、最小网目尺寸偏小,不利于黄渤海区渔业资源可持续利用。     

Observations on the artisanal stake net fishery for shrimps in the Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka

Abstract  The artisanal, stake net fishery for shrimp in the Negombo lagoon, Sri Lanka, was studied over 2 years. There are around 22 sites, at which 57–63 stake nets can be fixed, at sites close to the sea mouth of the Negombo lagoon. The estimated mean catch rates of the fishery were 23.21 and 26.19 kg per operation in 1998 and 1999, respectively. The estimated annual fish productivity from the fishery reduced from 240 t in 1998 to 215 t in 1999. Subadults of penaeid shrimps formed 82% of the stake net catch. The net monthly income per fishermen varied from Rs. 5000 to 33 200 (mean = 13 667). In the Negombo lagoon stake net fishery, a mechanism for equity sharing was formulated by the fishing community.     

莱州湾落网开发试验

莱州湾落网根据莱州湾水浅，流小特点设计而成，通过放大网目，在增端增设导鱼装置，改进固定装置，使网具结构更合理而有创新，９１年专家鉴定认为，本研究成果填补了莱州湾落网作业空白，达到省内先进水平。     

A comparison of methods for calculating Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of gill net catches in lakes

Fish constitute an important component of lake ecosystems and many different methods have been used for fish assessment. Based on gill net catches in two stratified (max depth = 14–22 m) eutrophic Danish lakes, relative fish abundance measured as Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) was calculated. We used three different methods of which two followed the European standard based on benthic nets (CEN (European Committee for Standardization), 2005: EN 14757. Water quality – Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gill nets. Brussels, 27 pp.), one assuming equal volumes in all depth strata and the other using calculated volumes in the depth strata. The third method followed a modified CEN standard, adopted as a new Danish (DK) standardized method based on calculated benthic and pelagic water volumes and by including both benthic nets and, compared to the CEN standard, an increased fishing effort with pelagic nets. Fish were concentrated in the littoral/benthic part of the upper two depth strata (0–6 m depth) with an up to 8 fold higher abundance than in the pelagic. Calculated CPUE is highly sensitive to the morphometry of the lakes. In lakes with extreme morphometry (unequal volumes in depth strata) it is important to use calculated water volumes for the depth strata. By including information derived from the pelagic nets, total lake CPUEs were 42–56% lower than CPUE values based on benthic nets only. We further show that the relative contribution of CPUE between habitats changes markedly with the nutrient level in 12 deep lakes. It is concluded that for deep lakes it is of key importance to include pelagic nets when comparing fish assemblages and abundances among lakes and when evaluating effects of major changes in key environmental factors, such as nutrient loading and climate.     

Mitigating sea turtle by-catch in coastal passive net fisheries

There is growing evidence that small-scale, coastal, passive net fisheries may be the largest single threat to some sea turtle populations. We review assessments of turtle interactions in these fisheries, and experiments on gear-technology approaches (modifying gear designs, materials and fishing methods) to mitigate turtle by-catch, available from a small number of studies and fisheries. Additional assessments are needed to improve the limited understanding of the relative degree of risk coastal net fisheries pose to turtle populations, to prioritize limited conservation resources and identify suitable mitigation opportunities. Whether gear technology provides effective and commercially viable solutions, alone or in combination with other approaches, is not well-understood. Fishery-specific assessments and trials are needed, as differences between fisheries, including in gear designs; turtle and target species, sizes and abundance; socioeconomic context; and practicality affect efficacy and suitability of by-catch mitigation methods. Promising gear-technology approaches for gillnets and trammel nets include: increasing gear visibility to turtles but not target species, through illumination and line materials; reducing net vertical height; increasing tiedown length or eliminating tiedowns; incorporating shark-shaped silhouettes; and modifying float characteristics, the number of floats or eliminating floats. Promising gear-technology approaches for pound nets and other trap gear include: replacing mesh with ropes in the upper portion of leaders; incorporating a turtle releasing device into traps; modifying the shape of the trap roof to direct turtles towards the location of an escapement device; using an open trap; and incorporating a device to prevent sea turtle entrance into traps.     

Blood parameters and electrocardiogram in squeezed fish simulating the effect of net damage and recovery

ABSTRACT:   In the present study, rubber bands were tied around the girth of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to simulate and assess the physiological damage and survival rates of fish that encounter gill nets. Physiological condition was assessed by analysis of blood lactate, pH, oxygen partial pressure and plasma potassium concentration before and after release from binding. Twenty-four hours after release, half of the test fish had died. Although the binding forces used to hamper fish did not differ significantly, blood lactate levels in the dead fish rose to 10-fold higher than those in the survivors. Consequently, the pH level fell in the group that died, whereas in the surviving group it fell only slightly and soon recovered. Potassium concentration increased after release from binding in fish that died, and the P o ₂ levels in these fish continued to drop until just before death. It was concluded that when fish get entangled in fishing nets, blood lactate accumulates because of physical fatigue and the elevated lactate levels lead to metabolic acidosis. Finally, fatal metabolic conditions could cause higher mortality rates, even in escapees.     

黄河口海域春季和夏季须子网渔获物组成分析

须子网是黄河口海区应用较广的陷阱类网具之一。为养护和管理黄河口海区渔业资源,对该海域春季和夏季须子网渔获物组成进行分析。2013年5月和2014年8月对东营黄河口海区进行了3次导陷插网网具须子网的渔获物调查,采用相对重要性指数(IRI)、种类丰富度指数和Sorensen相似性系数Ss对调查数据进行了分析。结果显示,春季和夏季须子网捕获渔获物共计45种;春季和夏季渔获物优势种(IRI1 000)分别为7种和9种,共同优势种为2种;春季和夏季渔获种类的Sorensen相似性系数Ss为0.39,该海域春季和夏季的渔获物丰富度指数(R)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、均匀度指数(J)分别为15.81和2.91、0.51和11.26、2.17和0.43;春季和夏季平均每网渔获量和尾数分别为55.04 kg和8 766尾、50.56 kg和3 390尾。调查结果表明,春季生物群落优势度较夏季优势高,使用须子网,其渔获物组成混杂、渔获幼体组成比例较高,长此以往不利于资源的繁殖保护,对黄河口渔业资源破坏较为严重。调研结果可为我国黄河口海区渔具管理以及渔业资源的可持续发展与管理提供科学参考。     

Damage by monk seals to gear of the artisanal fishery in the Foça Monk Seal Pilot Conservation Area, Turkey

The present study examines the operational interaction between critically endangered monk seals Monachus monachus and artisanal fisheries in the Foça Pilot Monk Seal Conservation Area, Turkey between 1994 and 2002. One to four permanent researchers collected the data on this interaction during the seal sighting data inquiries. Interviews with the fishermen provided 142 direct interactions with monk seals around the fishing gear. Among these encounters damage to fishing gear, including gill nets (53%), trammel nets (37%), longlines (9%) and a lure (1%) was recorded 90 times. However, no difference was found in damage between gill and trammel nets. Although, the damage inflicted by seals per occasion was found to be substantial (maximum 462.5 USD per occasion), the overall annual economic impact on the artisanal fishery was found to be modest. Limitation in soaking time of nets; long-line use instead of nets in MPAs where monk seals survive; and low interest credits to be given to those fishermen who suffer monk seal damage, are proposed as appropriate management practices.