Reducing invertebrate by-catch in a coastal fishery using a raised monofilament trammel net

Szynaka, Monika Jadwiga; Monteiro, Pedro; Erzini, Karim; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel Santos; Campos, Aida

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/25724

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Authors

Szynaka, Monika Jadwiga

Monteiro, Pedro

Erzini, Karim

Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel Santos

Campos, Aida

Abstract(s)

Trammel nets are one of the least selective fishing gears and are known to catch a variety of species, many of which are discarded, including important invertebrates that are considered habitat-forming species. Although there are few studies focusing on this type of by-catch, these habitat-forming species include corals and sponges that are vulnerable to disturbances from fishing activities using bottom contact gear. Experimental fishing was conducted off the port of Portimao (southern Portugal) from November 2021 to April 2022 using standard and modified trammel nets rigged to be lifted off the bottom with the objective of reducing invertebrate by-catch and impacts on the bottom habitat. The modified lifted net caught 36% less by-catch of invertebrates in numbers than the standard net, with no significant decrease of biomass and value of target species. The results obtained with the two net types are discussed, as well as the necessity for good video recording equipment that can improve sampling accuracy, and the usefulness of interviewing the fishers on net performance after experimental fishing was conducted.