Northern North Sea saithe, cod and haddock 2003/04 - Fisheries Science Partnership

FSP project carried out on the otter trawl fishery for saithe in the northern North Sea in autumn 2003. The project used two trips of a commercial stern trawler, the FV Farnella between 18 September and 5 October. The work plan involved otter trawling under dispensation from the quota regulations on grounds chosen by the vessel skippers in consultation with CEFAS. Total catches of all saithe, cod, and haddock were weighed and classified as 'discarded' or 'retained' according to advice from the fishing crew. Samples of these species from most hauls were also measured individually to obtain length frequency distributions. Otoliths were collected from 382 saithe and 22 cod.