Quantifying bycatch of cold-water gorgonians to propose a dynamic management strategy for sustainable artisanal fishing on the mediterranean continental shelf

Through on-board fishing vessel observations and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) transects, this study explored the impact of trammel nets on cold-water gorgonian (soft coral) populations in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. High bycatch of gorgonians, especially larger colonies with greater than average height, was observed in the majority of assessed nets at an average rate of 2.4 ± 0.8 colonies or fragments per 200m of net. Impact was higher in specific areas below 80m depth and where wave heights were greater than 1m. Trammel nets mostly caught large colonies with greater height than average. Impact could be significantly mitigated by measures such as avoiding fishing at 80-90m depth during adverse weather conditions.