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Determining the catch efficiency of a cable sorting grid in the summer flounder trawl fishery
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2016
[PDF-2.06 MB]
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Description:Previous studies comparing catch rates of Turtle Excluder Device (TED)-equipped trawls and standard flatfish trawls found an average of 25-30% loss in targeted summer flounder catch in the TED equipped trawl. As such, additional bycatch reduction devices (e.g., topless trawls, cable grids) are being tested. The following report outlines the results of a 2016 study examining the feasibility of implementing a cable grid in the summer flounder trawl fishery.
The study tested the catch efficiency of a NETIII (a type of cable grid)-equipped trawl to that of a standard flatfish trawl in the summer flounder trawl fishery. The study documented operational issues and compared the catch data aboard two commercial fishing vessels. Aboard the FV Darana R, significant reductions (29-45%) in summer flounder catch were observed during leg 1 and 2 of the project. Aboard the FV Jersey Cape, a modified configuration was used and no significant reduction in summer flounder catch was observed. In total, four configurations were tested throughout the study in an attempt to improve target catch efficiency.
From an operational and safety standpoint, the NETIII system was a substantial improvement from previous research using rigid grid TEDs. As this study proved to be a proof of concept for this gear, with its many modifications, it would be useful to perform feasibility testing aboard multiple vessels under different fishing pressures and conditions. Further research should be conducted to further modify the NETIII system so that it may be used as an alternative to traditional fixed grid TEDs.
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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