Relative selectivity in trawl, longline and gillnet fisheries for cod and haddock

Published source details Huse I., Løkkeborg S. & Soldal A.V. (2000) Relative selectivity in trawl, longline and gillnet fisheries for cod and haddock. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 57, 1271-1282.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Use an alternative commercial fishing method Action Link

Use an alternative commercial fishing method

A replicated study in 1996 of a seabed area in the Norwegian Sea, off northern Norway (Huse et al. 2000) found that fishing using gillnets reduced the capture of small, unwanted cod Gadus morhua and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus compared to trawling or longlining. In two of two trials, gillnets caught larger cod than trawls or longlines (gillnet: 82–86 cm, trawl: 67-69 cm, longline: 68–69 cm). In addition, gillnets caught fewer cod compared to trawls in both cases, and similar amounts in one case and more in one case compared to longlines (gillnet: 1,657–3,391 kg, trawl: 3,238–4,096 kg, longline: 1,773–1,754 kg) (data were not tested for statistical significance). Trawls captured larger haddock than longlines in one case, and smaller in one case (trawl: 53 cm, longline: 51–55 cm,). Fewer haddock were caught in longlines compared to trawls in both cases (longline: 665–1,055 kg, trawl: 1,153–1,973 kg) (data not tested for significance). Three fishing vessels tested a different gear type in one area of 10 × 40 nautical miles in February 1996 over six days. Depths were between 227–259 m. The gillnetter fished nine fleets of 186 mm mesh and two fleets of 200 mm mesh. The longliner used squid and mackerel bait on fleets of 6,300 or 8,230 hooks; 26 fleets were fished. The trawler fishes a standard trawl with a twin codend and 140 mm mesh size.

(Summarised by: Natasha Taylor)