Summary
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) bycatch was significantly lower (p<0.01) in high-density Iron Oxide (IO) gill nets compared to control nets. There was no significant difference in the acoustic target strength of the IO and control nets, and both nets behaved similarly in flume tank tests. The authors conclude the reduction of harbour porpoise bycatch in the IO nets was a result of the mechanical properties of the nets.