Net Grid Trials in the Farne Deeps Nephrops Trawl Fishery 2020-2021 - Fisheries Science Partnership

Catch data (quantities and sizes by species) from trials of a selective Net Grid trawl. This work was carried out as part of the Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP) programme and continues previous studies conducted during 2019/20 (`https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927`_). The aim of this project was to further develop a selective Net Grid trawl with two cod ends to improve performance and enable skippers to better match their catch compositions to their quota allocations. The information from the trials will help skippers adapt to the Landing Obligation by avoiding unwanted fish in a fishery identified as having relatively high discard rates and will demonstrate to managers the level of selectivity improvement that is currently achievable to help formulate Discard Plans. This trial sought to collect catch data on an upper cod end construction designed to retain commercially sized fish and test the effect on the level of separation of fish between the upper and lower cod ends when using different mesh sizes (100mm vs 200mm) in the incline separation panel. Also examined was the effect of using artificial lights around inclined panel to assess the effect on the level of separation. At each station sampled, shot and haul, positional and times information were recorded, and for all species of fish length distribution data were taken. .. _`https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927`: https://data.cefas.co.uk/view/20927