Evaluating the efficacy of various types of guarding nets in minimizing bycatch in a Mediterranean trammel net fishery

Authors
Ganias, K. and Papandreou, S.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fisheries Research
Volume (Issue #)
281
Page #s
9
Contact information
K. Gonias, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece-kganias@bio.auth.gr
Summary

This study examined the effectiveness of various sizes of guarding nets to reduce bycatch (specifically crustaceans) in cuttlefish trammel net fisheries. All nets did siginificantly reduce crustacean capture, notably spider crabs, but only the smaller mesh guarding net (20mm instead of 40mm) had no significant impact on target cuttlefish catch. However, guardnets may benefit fishers overall by avoiding later delays in disentangling bycatch and damage to gear. 

 

Link
https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271306/1-s2.0-S0165783624X00107/1-s2.0-S016…

Field Studies

Evaluating the efficacy of various types of guarding nets in minimizing bycatch in a Mediterranean trammel net fishery

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Thermaikos Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Greece
Target catch
common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Effect on bycatch species
reduced catch of crustaceans, specifically spider crabs
Effect on target catch
the guarding net that was smaller (20 mm) and tighly rigged to the main net did not reduce cuttlefish catch, but larger nets and loose rigs did reduce target catch
Bycatch species
Invertebrates
Reduction technique
Fence or net barriers
Fishing Gear
Gillnets