Fishery by-catch and discards: a positive perspective from ecosystem-based fishery management

By-catch and (or) discards in fisheries have been considered a serious problem and have been unanimously criticized by politicians, environmental groups, the public and scientists. However, it is possible to determine biologically acceptable amounts of discards that fulfil the objectives of ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM). For instance, while discards have been shown to impact some systems negatively, they can be a potential benefit in other systems. Using a prawn trawl fishery as an example, this paper discusses some of the potentially positive effects of discards. As in many facets of EBFM, the key for the management of discards is sustainability and precaution. In particular, it is important to give full consideration to the implications of reducing discards to the lowest extent possible.     

Non-commercial invertebrate discards in an experimental trammel net fishery

Abstract  Non-commercial invertebrate discards in an experimental trammel net fishery were studied in relation to selectivity of the gear, depth, soak time and season. Forty experimental fishing trials were carried out over a 1-year period with six combinations of small mesh (100, 120 and 140 mm) inner and large mesh (600 and 800 mm) outer panels. On average, 43.8 ± 12.2 (SD) (individuals 1000 m⁻¹ of net) of non-commercial invertebrates were discarded, accounting for 48% and 65% of the total catch and total discards by numbers, respectively. Within non-commercial invertebrates discards, the six most abundant species by number were Phallusia mammillata (Cuvier) (27.5%), Cymbium olla (L.) (13.0%), Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck) (11.3%), Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) (10.9%), Astropartus mediterraneus (Risso) (8.2%) and Astropecten aranciacus (L.) (8.1%); Echinoderms (43.1%) particularly important. The highest and lowest discard ratios were found in autumn and winter, respectively. Discards generally decreased with depth, varied considerably in relation to soak time and were not related to mesh size combinations. Trammel nets seem to be the most important gear in terms of ecological impacts on benthic invertebrates compared with other coastal fishing gears and at the depths studied (15–60 m).     

The understudied and underappreciated role of predation in the mortality of fish released from fishing gears

The assumption that animals released from fishing gears survive has frequently been scrutinized by researchers in recent years. Mortality estimates from these research efforts can be incorporated into management models to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and the conservation of threatened species. Post‐release mortality estimates are typically made by holding the catch in a tank, pen or cage for short‐term monitoring (e.g. 48 h). These estimates may be inaccurate in some cases because they fail to integrate the challenges of the wild environment. Most obvious among these challenges is predator evasion. Stress and injury from a capture experience can temporarily impair physiological capacity and alter behaviour in released animals, a period during which predation risk is likely elevated. In large‐scale commercial fisheries, predators have adapted their behaviour to capitalize on impaired fishes being discarded, while in recreational catch‐and‐release fisheries, exercise and air exposure can similarly impede the capacity for released fish to evade opportunistic predators. Owing to the indirect and often cryptic nature of this source of mortality, very few studies have attempted to document it. A survey of the literature demonstrated that <2% of the papers in the combined realms of bycatch and catch‐and‐release have directly addressed or considered post‐release predation. Future research should combine field telemetry and laboratory studies using both natural and simulated predation encounters and incorporate physiological and behavioural endpoints. Quite simply, predation is an understudied and underappreciated contributor to the mortality of animals released from fishing gears.     

Discarding practices in a Mediterranean small-scale fishing fleet (Patraikos Gulf, Greece)

Abstract  Discarding practices from 110 fishing operations in a Mediterranean small-scale fishing fleet (Patraikos Gulf, western Greece) from August 2004 to July 2005 were analysed. On average, 1 kg of fish was discarded per fishing operation (10% of the catch). The reasons for discarding were: low commercial value (78% of discards), damage at sea before retrieval of the gear (5%), and bad handling on-board (17%). More than half of discards belonged to Spicara flexuosa (L.), Lepidopus caudatus (Euphrasen), Sardinella aurita Valenciennes and Merluccius merluccius (L.). The bulk of discards of each species were associated with a single fishing method (metier). A Generalized Linear Model (Delta-X – error-model) indicated that, when discards were present, significant differences existed in the discard ratio among different métier groups (groups comprising métiers with similar characteristics). Longlines and trammel nets with small mesh-sizes had the highest discard ratios. Discarding practices for the species Diplodus annularis (L.), S. aurita , Squilla mantis (L.), S. flexuosa and Scorpaena scrofa (L.) did not follow a consistent pattern (these species were either fully discarded or fully retained during a fishing operation). The decision seemed to be dependent on market demands rather than fish size. Significant correlation was found between discarded and catch weight, but the presence of many outliers indicated deviance from a case where discards are high when there is an abundant catch. The findings of the study imply that monitoring and management should be carried out preferably on the métier level. Discards could be reduced by technical measures, controlling effort regulations and by improving working conditions on-board fishing vessels.     

Classical swine fever in The Netherlands 1997-1998: a description of organisation and measures to eradicate the disease

The central and regional organisation of the campaign to eradicate the CSF epidemic in the Netherlands in 1997/1998 is described. The main instruments used in the campaign were based on stamping-out and movement restrictions specified by the European Union. Additional instruments were used for the first time, namely, pre-emptive culling of contact and neighbouring farms, compartmentalisation of transport, monthly serological screening in established surveillance areas and supervised repopulation of all farms in the former surveillance zone. Two other measures, the killing of very young piglets and a breeding ban were introduced to reduce production in established surveillance zones. Several factors complicated the eradication campaign, for instance, the late detection of the first infection; artificial insemination as a source of infection; the organisation of pig farming in the Netherlands, with its highly concentrated production and dependence on the transport of stock from one unit to another; insufficient rendering capacity; decreasing sensitivity of clinical inspection; and extremely high costs.     

关于加强长江渔文化保护与传承的思考

长江渔文化是长江文化的主要源头之一,而长江文化又是中华文化的重要源文化之一。面对长江十年禁渔,长江渔文化的保护与传承刻不容缓。对此,有助于推进长江十年禁渔,有助于长江文化的传承创新,有助于推进文化强国建设,有助于生态文明建设,有助于长江经济带乡村振兴,有助于丰富中华文化内涵。本文选取上海市崇明区为案例,采用问卷调查及实地访谈等形式,对长江渔文化保护与传承的影响因素进行分析,对收集来的数据以统计分析软件进行描述性统计分析,发现主要问题为：地方管理与治理能力比较薄弱;急功近利开发影响保护与传承;普通民众保护与传承意识淡薄。对此,建议完善长江渔文化保护与传承法治与机制;加强对长江渔文化遗产及其传承人保护;加强长江渔文化的宣传应用与活态传承;加强长江渔文化资源的创新转化与开发等,为长江渔文化的保护与传承提供助益。     

禁牧政策、养殖规模与技术效率——基于五省区绒毛用羊养殖户的微观研究

基于五省区绒毛用羊养殖户的微观调研数据,利用超越对数随机前沿生产函数模型,分析了禁牧政策对农牧户养殖技术效率的影响,进一步运用门槛模型探究了不同养殖规模下禁牧政策对农牧户养殖技术效率影响的异质性问题。研究结果表明:禁牧政策实施对农牧户养殖技术效率提升具有显著的正向作用,而且禁牧政策对农牧户养殖技术效率的影响会因养殖规模的不同而存在显著的门槛效应,即禁牧政策对小规模农牧户养殖技术效率的影响并不显著,而对大规模农牧户表现出显著的促进作用。与大规模农牧户相比,小规模农牧户养殖方式转变成本高、舍饲养殖资金不足、违规放牧行为不易被监管等因素可能是导致上述差异的主要原因。除此之外,养殖收入占比、家庭人口数量、加入养殖专业合作社、养殖方式、地区因素均对农牧户养殖技术效率具有显著影响。     

Fish stress and mortality can be predicted using reflex impairment

Fish stress and mortality can be significant problems in both capture and culture operations. In addition to inexpensive and real-time metrics, ones that are simple to use are also desirable for measuring fish stress and predicting mortality. Current methods to define stress rely on expensive, laboratory-based measurements of changes in fish pathology such as disease, necropsy and histology, in physiology such as plasma cortisol, lactate, glucose and ions and in complex behaviour determined from swimming, feeding and predator evasion. All of these methods are often not rigorously linked to fitness outcomes. An alternative is to observe reflex impairment as a direct sign of stress which can be easily and rapidly measured in free swimming or restrained fish responding to peripheral stimuli such as gravity, light, sound and touch. Reflex impairment is correlated with stress and mortality outcomes, eliminating the need for prolonged holding or monitoring of fish. A few examples of reflexes that may be impaired include orientation, startle responses, fin erection, body flex upon restraint, operculum and mouth clamping or gaping, gag response and vestibular–ocular response. Reflex impairment combines the effects of stressors and their interactions and is not dependent on fish size, motivation states and acclimation which make it a consistent sign of stress across a wide range of stressor types and fish ages. Use of reflex impairment to measure stress and predict mortality would significantly improve monitoring of fish health and welfare in many types of field operations such as commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, live transport, stock enhancement and tagging.     

Do by‐catch reduction devices in longline fisheries reduce capture of sharks and rays? A global meta‐analysis

By‐catch in marine fisheries, particularly those using pelagic and demersal longlines, is a major driver of declines in abundance of sharks and rays around the world. A wide variety of by‐catch reduction devices (BRDs), that is, modified gears designed to reduce incidental captures of a variety of marine species while maintaining target catch rates, have been proposed, but the extent to which BRDs actually reduce the risk of catching sharks and rays remains unclear. We performed a meta‐analysis of 27 publications that reported the capture of sharks and rays and, in some cases, of targeted teleosts in longline gear deployed with and without BRDs. The risk of shark and ray capture differed between types of BRDs, but only one BRD type, longlines raised off the bottom, reduced by‐catch significantly. Circle hooks did not reduce the risk of capturing sharks and rays but might improve discard survival and are inexpensive, which might make them effective in reducing the detrimental effects of longlining on these species. In addition to being generally ineffective, some devices, such as electropositive and magnetic repellents, are expensive and have inherent construction drawbacks that are likely to make them unsuitable for commercial use. Overall, most BRDs did not affect the likelihood of catching targeted teleosts, but a substantial number of studies did not adequately assess target catch. We identified two poorly studied classes of BRD gear (i.e. raised demersal longlines, and monofilament nylon leaders), which represent promising directions for future research.     

大宁河龙溪段鱼类早期资源研究

为了解十年禁渔背景下大宁河鱼类早期资源变化状况,2020和2021年5-7月在大宁河龙溪断面开展了鱼类早期资源现状的调查。结果表明,龙溪江段产浮性卵鱼类1种、漂流性卵鱼类4种、粘沉性卵鱼类19种;中华纹胸鮡（Glyptothorax sinensis）和大眼鳜（Siniperca kneri）的产卵规模相对较大,其卵占比分别达48%和30%以上;2020年的鱼类卵苗资源量和种类都少于2021年。RDA分析结果显示,中华纹胸鮡（Glyptothorax sinensis）、张氏?(Hemiculter tchangi)鱼卵漂流密度与水温变化呈现一定相关性,适宜水温促使中华纹胸鮡（Glyptothorax sinensis）、张氏?(Hemiculter tchangi)产卵;随着流速和流量增加,多鳞白甲鱼(Scaphesthes macrolepis)和云南盘鮈(Discogobio yunnanensis)卵漂流密度均相应增加;大眼鳜（Siniperca kneri）和峨眉后平鳅(Metahomaloptera omeiensis)产卵期间江水酸碱度相对较低。十年禁渔的实施对大宁河鱼类资源的恢复可能产生积极影响。