An excluder grate (grid) was tested in the silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) trawl fishery in Massachusetts Bay, United States to determine its effectiveness in reducing spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) bycatch. The effects of color (white or black), angle and direction of the 50 mm spaced grids were investigated through video observations and data collection. The number of spiny dogfish caught in trawls with the excluder grate were greatly reduced for all gear configurations, while the number of target species caught remained within typical commercial quantities. Over 88% of spiny dogfish were excluded by the grate regardless of color or gear configuration. There were no observed differences in the behavior of spiny dogfish between gear configurations or grate colors.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fisheries Research
Volume (Issue #)
114
Page #s
66-75
Contact information
david.chosid@state.ma.us, mike.pol@state.ma.us, markszymanski@state.ma.us, kaminc@comcast.net, amirarchi5@gmail.com
Summary
Field Studies
Development and observations of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias reduction device in a raised footrope silver hake Merluccius bilinearis trawl
Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Massachusetts Bay, United States
Target catch
Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Effect on bycatch species
Over 88% of spiny dogfish were excluded by the grate regardless of color or gear configuration.
Effect on target catch
Within typical commercial quantities
Bycatch species
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear
Development and observations of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias reduction device in a raised footrope silver hake Merluccius bilinearis trawl
Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Massachusetts Bay
Target catch
Silver hake Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Effect on bycatch species
There were no observed differences in the behavior of spiny dogfish between gear configurations or grate colors.
Effect on target catch
N/A
Bycatch species
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear