Tests were conducted in the Gulf of Maine (U.S.) to determine the effectiveness of a new Rope Grid in reducing the bycatch of small finfish in the pink shrimp (Pandalus borealis) trawl fishery. The new Rope Grid was constructed by removing two-thirds of the netting surrounding the traditional Nordmøre Grid and replacing it with four ropes. This new Rope Grid was tested against the traditional Nordmøre Grid during sea trials. The new Rope Grid significantly reduced the bycatch of silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis), red hake (Urophycis chuss), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) compared to the Nordmøre Grid but did not significantly reduce catches or the size of targeted pink shrimp. The new Rope Grid allowed larger fish to escape compared to the Nordmøre Grid.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fisheries Research
Volume (Issue #)
111/1-2
Page #s
100-107
Contact information
phe@umassd.edu
Summary
Field Studies
Rope Grid: A new grid design to further reduce finfish bycatch in the Gulf of Maine pink shrimp fishery
Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Gulf of Maine, United States
Target catch
Pink shrimp (Pandalus borealis)
Effect on bycatch species
Reduced the bycatch of silver hake, red hake, American plaice and witch flounder compared to the Nordmore Grid and allowed larger fish to escape
Effect on target catch
The catch and size of pink shrimp was not significantly different between the Nordmore Grid and Rope Grid
Bycatch species
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear