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.     

不同结构网囊特性的初步研究

为了研究桁杆虾拖网方目与菱目混合网囊网目的选择性,2016年8月在南海北部采用“套网法”对网目尺寸分别为25 mm方目+25 mm菱目(H₁网囊)、30 mm方目+25 mm菱目(H₂网囊)和35 mm方目+25 mm菱目(H₃网囊)的3种混合网囊进行了生产性试验。运用Logistic模型拟合主要渔获种类的体长选择性曲线,并对模型拟合度的优劣进行了评价。结果表明,3种混合网囊的优势渔获种类为刀额新对虾(Metapenaeus ensis)、周氏新对虾(M. joyneri)、脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)和丽叶鲩 [Caranx (Atule) kalla];H₁和H₃网囊对刀额新对虾的50%选择体长(L₅₀)分别为63.93 mm和67.96 mm;H₁、H₂和H₃网囊对周氏新对虾的L₅₀分别为62.08 mm、66.30 mm和67.32 mm;H₁和H₃网囊对脊尾白虾的L₅₀分别为53.83 mm和56.69 mm;H₁、H₂和H₃网囊对丽叶鲩的L₅₀分别为59.24 mm、61.63 mm和64.64 mm;比较主要渔获种类L₅₀及其开捕规格,认为H₃网囊在兼顾生产效益和保护渔业资源方面效果最理想。     

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。     

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.     

Square‐mesh codend length and selectivity in southeastern Australian stow nets

Abstract The relationship between the amount of square mesh in codends and selectivity was investigated for an Australian penaeid stow‐net fishery. Three lengths (3, 2 and 1 m) of square‐mesh codend made from 27‐mm mesh hung on the bar were alternately tested with a conventional 34‐mm diamond‐mesh design during two covered‐codend experiments. Compared with the conventional codend, the square‐mesh configurations incrementally selected school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell) across narrower selection ranges (SR) and mostly at greater sizes at 50% retention (L₅₀), while retaining fewer fish. Irrespective of the mesh configuration or square‐mesh codend length, there were significant differences between experiments (attributed to water flow) and impacts of catch weight on the selectivity of school prawns. Both variables had a negative relationship with L₅₀, while water flow similarly affected SR. This study reaffirms the utility of square‐mesh codends as a key input control for managing the selectivity of penaeid‐catching gears.     

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.     

欧洲地区选择性虾拖网渔具的研究进展

为减少副渔获物的兼捕,提高拖网渔具选择性,栅型兼捕减少装置已在底拖网渔业中得到广泛应用。兼捕减少装置水动力变化影响着鱼类接触后的行为反应,从而决定着装置的分隔效率和选择性效果。实验通过动水槽模型探究3种不同规格的栅栏 (Grid-0.3栅、Grid -0.4栅、Grid -0.5栅)分别在倾角30°、45°和60°,3种状态下对网囊网目张开程度、空间形态和阻力的影响效果。结果发现,① 无栅栏网囊的网目平均张开角度22°±5°。设置Grid-0.4栅和Grid-0.5栅网囊的网目平均张开角度较无栅栏网囊分别增大了3.3%和18.8%;而设置Grid-0.3栅网囊的网目平均张开角度减少了9.2%。②Grid-0.4栅对网囊形态影响程度最小,贴合网囊流线型;Grid-0.3栅和Grid-0.5栅使网囊发生扭曲形变。③设置Grid-0.3栅的网囊,不同倾角下的阻力差异较小,与无栅栏网囊的阻力相近。以不同倾角设置Grid-0.4栅和Grid-0.5栅的网囊,平均网囊阻力分别比无栅栏网囊的阻力高12.7%和24.4%。除Grid-0.3-A-30°栅外,有模拟渔获物条件下,网囊阻力均随栅栏倾角和规格的增大而增加。本研究对我国底拖网选择性研究和对保护近底层渔业资源具有重要意义。

     

Selectivity and escape percentages during three phases of the towing process for codends fitted with different selection systems

We investigated the selectivity of cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) escaping from three different selection systems (a conventional diamond-mesh codend, a codend fitted with escape windows, and a codend fitted with a sorting grid) using the covered codend technique. By using a MultiSampler attached to the codend cover to partition the collection of escaping fish, we were able to determine the partitioned selectivity of each of these devices at different phases during the towing process: at depth, during the haul back, and at the surface.The percentages of escaping fish at depth from the diamond-mesh codend were significantly lower than those estimated for the escape windows and sorting grid codends: almost 62% of cod and 79% of haddock escaping from the diamond-mesh codend did so at depth, whereas approximately 75% of cod and 93% of haddock escaped from the other two systems at depth. The partitioned selectivity parameters, l₅₀ and SR, were estimated and modelled for each of the three phases of the towing process and used to compare the selective properties of the three selection systems. A comparison was also made with a traditional whole haul selectivity analysis. Finally, bulk catch was added to the model as an explanatory variable and its effect upon selectivity was measured in both, partitioned and whole haul estimates.     

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%.     

Codend selectivity for jack mackerel and whitefin jack and unequal split parameter estimates observed in trouser trawl experiments

Codend selectivity for the jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus and the whitefin jack Kaiwarinus equula were evaluated based on data from trouser trawl experiments carried out in the East China Sea, using a test codend of 60 mm diamond mesh and a control codend made of minnow net with a square mesh of 9 mm bar length. Between-haul variations in parameters and the mean selection curves were tested with the catch data in the SELECT approach, and then the model of between-haul variation in the split parameter with the mean selection curve was chosen as the best fit using Akaike’s information criterion model selection. The 50% retention lengths and the selection ranges were 11.4 and 3.36 cm for jack mackerel and 8.83 and 0.93 cm for whitefin jack, respectively. The selection curve for whitefin jack was sharp, whereas that for jack mackerel was relatively wide. As the estimated split parameters indicated, about 80% of the whitefin jack entered the control codend, but 85 and 90% of the jack mackerel entered the control codend in the second and third hauls, respectively. The inequality in the split parameter is discussed from the viewpoint of the animal’s swimming behavior and water movement based on underwater video observations.     

多囊桁拖网选择性研究中对照网囊网目尺寸的选择

对比作业法是拖网渔具选择性研究中重要的试验方法之一,而对比试验中对照网囊网目的选择至关重要。研究利用多囊桁拖网不同网目尺寸(20、30、35和40mm)网囊捕获的哈氏仿对虾、小黄鱼和棘头梅童鱼渔获体长分布数据,应用几何相似原理,分析过滤性渔具的选择性,并按不同假设条件下(假设1:符合几何相似原理对渔获具有一定的选择性;假设2:对渔获种类没有选择性),探讨如何合理选择对照网囊网目尺寸。结果表明,对照网网囊网目尺寸为20mm,在上述2种假设下,对选择性模型的拟合、简化及对其它网囊的选择性参数没有显著的影响;在考虑了桁拖网渔具各网囊具有相同相对作业强度,以及桁拖网渔具与普通拖网渔具选择性分析方法上的差异等因素后,认为在此项研究中,将小于20mm网目尺寸的网囊视为没有选择性的对照网囊是可行的。     

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.     

A meta‐analysis of haddock size‐selection data

Many jurisdictions have introduced management regimes prohibiting or limiting discarding, and a key objective of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy is the gradual elimination of discards. One way of reducing the catch of unwanted fish is to use more size‐selective gears. Gear‐based management options can best be explored using models that predict size selection across a wide range of variables related to gear design. Such a model is developed for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) through a meta‐analysis of 21 trials of codend selection and 19 trials of the combined selection of the codend and a square mesh panel. Individual‐haul estimates of the 50% retention length (l₅₀) and the selection range (SR) are related to a set of explanatory variables through a structural model that describes the dual process of panel and codend selection. Codend l₅₀ and SR are positively related to codend mesh size and negatively related to the codend twine diameter. Codend l₅₀ is also negatively related to the number of open meshes around the codend circumference. Panel l₅₀ increases with panel mesh size. The panel contributes more to gear selection as it is moved closer to the codline. The panel is most effective between November and January and least between May and July, periods which broadly coincide with peak and poor haddock condition. The results are illustrated for a typical trawler targeting haddock in the Scottish whitefish sector, and the utility of the model for gear design and legislation is discussed.     

秋季莱州湾弓子网网囊网目尺寸选择性研究

单船框架拖网(俗称弓子网)是渤海海区常见的作业渔具,对底栖渔业生物选择性差,作业过程中产生大量副渔获物。为改善网囊网目的选择性,2017年9月在莱州湾海域采用“套网法”对网囊网目尺寸分别为15、25、35、45和55 mm的5种网囊进行了选择性实验。结果显示,弓子网对渔获物种类的选择能力较差,具有捕获栖息于作业海域绝大多数底栖种类的能力。随网囊网目尺寸的增加,渔获物质量、尾数逃逸率和产值损失率逐渐增大,短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossus joyneri)、口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)、鹰爪虾(Trachypenaeus curvirostris)和日本鼓虾(Alpheus japonicas)的选择性参数(L0.5、SR)呈线性增加。口虾蛄和鹰爪虾的50%选择体长(L0.5)与网目尺寸(m)的线性回归方程分别为L0.5=1.472m+12.63(R2=0.934)和L0.5=1.394m+0.724(R2=0.920)。在目前的渔业资源状况下,为保护口虾蛄和鹰爪虾等经济渔获物资源,兼顾生产效益和幼鱼资源保护,建议将弓子网最小网目尺寸放大至45 mm。     

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。     

Fisheries management scenarios: trade‐offs between economic and biological objectives

An age‐structured, population biology submodel and an economic submodel with vessel‐specific dynamics were applied to a demersal fishery in the North Aegean (NE Mediterranean) that consists of three main stocks: European hake Merluccius merluccius (L.), red mullet Mullus barbatus L. and striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus L. The Mefisto model is a bioeconomic simulation model through which the biological and economic submodels (disaggregated at the vessel level) are linked by means of a fishing mortality vector. Alternative management scenarios were built and tested based on input controls, and the performance of these strategies was examined against those of current policies. Three alternative management strategies were as follows: (1) reducing the coastal fisheries' fleet units; (2) limiting the effort level (days at sea) of the trawl fleets; and (3) changing the selectivity patterns of the trawl by increasing mesh size. The results show that for all three species, any of the three management measures (input controls) would be beneficial to both the stock and the fleets (over the medium and long terms) compared with the projections over time for the status quo. Improving the selectivity of the fishing gear proved to be more beneficial than limiting nominal effort, which was in turn more beneficial than decreasing coastal fleet size.     

Effects of codend circumference and twine diameter on selection in south-eastern Australian fish trawls

Two experiments, done in a south-eastern Australian trawl fishery targeting school whiting (Sillago flindersi: Sillaginidae), examined the relative efficiencies and selectivities of five codends and extension sections made from double-twine, 90-mm (inside stretched length) mesh netting. All extension sections were made from 3-mm diameter twine and were 100 meshes long and 100 meshes in circumference, while the codends were 25 meshes in length. The first experiment tested three codends made from 4-mm diameter twine: one with a circumference of 100 meshes and two of 200-mesh circumference, with one of the latter incorporating two cross-sectional joins in its extension piece. The second experiment compared two 200-mesh circumference codends, one constructed from 3-mm diameter twine and the other from 5-mm diameter twine. The codends were alternately fished with a small-meshed control. The results showed a general trend of reduced selection by the 200-mesh circumference and thicker twined codends, and especially by the industry-preferred 200-mesh circumference codend constructed from 5-mm diameter twine. Experiment 1 found that the 100-mesh codend caught significantly fewer school whiting, retained catch and total catch than did the two 200-mesh codends, and the 200-mesh codend with the modified extension section caught significantly fewer school whiting and retained catch than did the 200-mesh codend with the straight extension. In the second experiment, the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend caught significantly more total and retained catch, school whiting, and longspine flathead (Platycephalus longispinis: Platycephalidae) than did the 200-mesh 3-mm twine codend. Across all codends, the smallest lengths at 50% probability of retention (L₅₀) were estimated for longspine flathead, redfish (Centroberyx affinis: Berycidae) and longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus: Triglidae) in the 5-mm 200-mesh codend. The limited size range of school whiting resulted in unreliable estimation of selectivity in the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend, but this design was the only one that retained a substantial proportion of individuals below the minimum marketable length (15 cm fork length). While the 200-mesh 5-mm twine codend retained commercial quantities of school whiting, it seems far from optimal. It is suggested that a more efficient design comprising possibly smaller, square-shaped meshes should be developed and used in conjunction with temporal, spatial and catch restrictions.     

拖网囊网网目及其对东海带鱼选择性的研究

本文介绍了东、黄海拖网囊网网目的套网系列试验结果，指出当带鱼的刺鱼体周相当于网目内周时，其体长一般大于这种网目对带鱼的50％选择体长。文中比较了按照刺鱼体周求算网目内径同用50％选择体长决定网目内径的不同之处。根据网目内径与刺鱼体长的相关式，提出保护东海带鱼资源的拖网囊网最小网目内径为56毫米，并依据网目的选择性及带鱼的生物学资料，讨论了采用这一网目尺寸的可行性。     

基于双重拔靴法拟合拖网网囊选择性的不确定性

研究拖网网囊选择性对于渔业的科学管理和资源的合理利用都有重要意义。拖网网囊选择性的研究一般先开展捕捞实验,然后使用选择性模型拟合和处理实验数据,最后得出选择性参数和选择性曲线。主要的选择性参数包括50%选择体长(L50)和选择范围(SR)。但是,仅仅提供选择性参数和曲线是不够的,还需要拟合它们的不确定性,并以置信区间的形式展现。双重拔靴法是拟合网囊选择性不确定性的重要方法。本研究在阐述双重拔靴法基本原理的基础上,选取2组实验数据为实例,用常规方法和双重拔靴法进行拟合,通过比较拟合结果诠释双重拔靴法的特点和优势。结果表明,双重拔靴法能够很好地拟合网囊选择性参数L50、SR和曲线的不确定性。同时,本研究还就应用双重拔靴法的重大误区进行了分析和讨论。本研究可为研究人员开展渔具选择性研究提供方法参考。     

单桩张网菱形、方形网目网囊选择性研究

近年来,一种利用帆布作为扩张装置的新型单桩张网渔具在吕四渔场得到了快速发展。为了改善这种张网对主要渔获对象的尺寸选择性,进而评价其渔获性能以及对渔业资源的影响,使用套网试验法开展了不同网目尺寸(25 mm、35 mm和45 mm)的菱形和方形网目网囊尺寸选择性试验。通过对黄鲫(Setipinnataay)和小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)渔获体长数据的选择性分析,结果显示,无论是菱形还是方形网目网囊,其50%选择体长L50和选择范围SR都随着网目尺寸的增大而增大(L50呈线性增长)。对比菱形和方形网目的选择性发现,对于黄鲫,50%选择体长L50差异不大,但菱形网目的选择范围SR大于方形网目;对于小黄鱼,方形网目具有更好的选择特性,即具有较大的L50(8%)和较小的SR(52%),但差异均不显著。菱形和方形网目对于不同体型鱼类的选择性差异以及渔民对方形网目网囊的抵触情绪等都使得在张网渔业中推广方形网目网囊值得商榷。