Effects of illumination and pot design on catch and bycatch when targeting northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) using white LED PotLights

This study reports on trials investigating the use of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to improve target catch and reduce nontarget catch in northern shrimp  (Pandalus borealis) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) pot fisheries. Illuminated pots led to a significantly higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of northern shrimp, but levels were still not commercially viable. LEDs also resulted in higher juvenile poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) bycatch and reduced Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) catch. LEDs on nets may be promising for increasing CPUE and an alternative to trawl fisheries for northern shrimp.