Effect of tooth spacing and mesh size on the catch of the Portuguese clam and razor clam dredge

Gaspar, Miguel; Castro, Margarida; Monteiro, C. C.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/11302

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Authors

Gaspar, Miguel

Castro, Margarida

Monteiro, C. C.

Abstract(s)

Experiments on the selectivity of the clam and razor clam dredges were carried out during July 1995, on the south coast of Portugal. The effects of mesh size and tooth spacing were investigated for both the clam and razor clam dredges. Four different mesh sizes (25, 35, 40, and 50 mm) and three different tooth spacings (15, 20, and 25 mm for the clams Spisula solida and Venus striatula, and 10, 15, and 20 mm for the razor clam Ensis siliqua) were used. The results indicated that the tooth spacing did not have an effect on the selectivity. The best mesh sizes were 40 mm for the clam fishery (S. solida and V. striatula) and 66 for the razor clam (E. siliqua). These mesh sizes will result in considerable reduction in the numbers of small- and medium-sized individuals in the catch. (C) 1999 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.