Effects of square-mesh panels in codends and of haulback delay on bycatch reduction in the oceanic prawn-trawl fishery of New South Wales, Australia

Authors
Broadhurst, M.K., Kennelly, S.J., O'Doherty, G.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fishery Bulletin
Volume (Issue #)
94
Page #s
412-422
Contact information
Fisheries Research Institute, N.S.W. Fisheries
PO Box 21
Cronulla, New South Whales 2230
Australia
Summary

Codends modified with rectangular mesh panels (one oriented length-wise in the cod end and one oriented width-wise, each measuring 7 x 11 bars) reduced the weight of discarded bycatch by 46% and 38% respectively but did not significantly reduce the catch of targeted prawns. A haulback delay of 10-15 seconds allowed juvenile red spot to escape through the square mesh panels, while trawls with no delay showed no significant reduction in the bycatch of this species.

Link
http://www.fishbull.noaa.gov/943/broadhurst.pdf

Field Studies

Field Study 284

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
New South Wales, Australia
Target catch
Prawns
Effect on bycatch species
Reduced the overall weight of bycatch by 46% when mesh panels were oriented vertically
Effect on target catch
Did not significantly reduce the catch of prawns
Bycatch species
Bony Fishes
Reduction technique
Excluder devices
Fishing Gear
Trawls

Field Study 314

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
New South Wales, Australia
Target catch
Prawns
Effect on bycatch species
Haulback delay of 10-15 seconds allowed juvenile red spot to escape through the square mesh panels
Effect on target catch
No difference in the catch or weight of prawns
Bycatch species
Bony Fishes
Reduction technique
Haulback delay
Fishing Gear
Trawls

Field Study 291

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
New South Wales, Australia
Target catch
Prawns
Effect on bycatch species
Reduced the overall weight of bycatch by 38% when mesh panels were oriented horizontally
Effect on target catch
Did not significantly reduce the catch of prawns
Bycatch species
Bony Fishes
Reduction technique
Excluder devices
Fishing Gear
Trawls