The selectivity of the gill-nets used to target hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Cornish and Irish offshore fisheries
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Published source details
Revill A., Cotter J., Armstrong M., Ashworth J., Forster R., Caslake G. & Holst R. (2007) The selectivity of the gill-nets used to target hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Cornish and Irish offshore fisheries. Fisheries Research, 85, 142-147.
Published source details Revill A., Cotter J., Armstrong M., Ashworth J., Forster R., Caslake G. & Holst R. (2007) The selectivity of the gill-nets used to target hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Cornish and Irish offshore fisheries. Fisheries Research, 85, 142-147.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use a larger mesh size Action Link |
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Use a larger mesh size
A replicated, controlled study in 2005 in three areas of seabed in the northeast Atlantic Ocean off Cornwall, UK (Revill et al. 2007) found that increasing the mesh size of bottom gillnets resulted in fewer unwanted small hake Merluccius merluccius compared to smaller mesh sizes. The lengths at which hake were caught most frequently increased with increasing gillnet mesh size (140 mm: 93–96 cm, 120 mm: 80–82 cm, 100 mm: 67–69 cm, 80 mm: 53–55 cm. Experimental gillnetting was undertaken over three fishing trips. Twenty-four bottom-set gillnets deployments were made, with six nets of each mesh size (140 mm, 120 mm – the mesh size most commonly used in the fishery, 100 mm and 80 mm) deployed during each trip. Gill nets were 5.5 m high and 107 m long. The headrope was floated every 180 cm and the footrope was weighted with lead weights. During each trip, nets were soaked for 12–37 h over seven days.
(Summarised by: Leo Clarke)
