Assessment of the effectiveness of scup bycatch-reduction regulations in the Loligo squid fishery

Published source details Powell E.N., Bonner A.J., Muller B. & Bochenek E.A. (2004) Assessment of the effectiveness of scup bycatch-reduction regulations in the Loligo squid fishery. Journal of Environmental Management, 71, 155-167.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Fit mesh escape panels/windows to a trawl net Action Link

Fit mesh escape panels/windows to a trawl net

A replicated, paired, controlled study in 2002–2003 of two areas of seabed in the Mid-Atlantic Bight off New Jersey, USA (Powell et al. 2004) found that fitting square mesh escape panels to squid Loligo pealei trawl nets resulted in a reduction of unwanted scup Stenotomus chrysops and total catch, but not most other finfish, compared to unmodified conventional nets. Data were reported as statistical results. In one of the two areas, fewer scup (main species of concern) were caught using modified compared to unmodified nets, while no scup were caught in the other area. However, this was reported to be because total catch including the commercial target squid species was also lower in modified nets. In addition, catches of only two of nine other finfish species were lower in modified than unmodified nets. Data were collected in two areas during times when a time-area closure was in effect (November 2002 and January-February 2003). Four vessels (two in each area) made a total of 74 deployments of alternate paired modified and conventional trawl nets. Conventional nets were typical of the squid fishery, using either box or millionaire nets, whilst modified nets had square-mesh extensions (see original paper for full gear details).

(Summarised by: Natasha Taylor)