No abstract

No abstract

ABSTRACT. In order to improve the inter-specific selectivity of a new bottom trawl design for demersal crustaceans, an experimental attempt was carried out to compare the shrinkage effect in length of net structure accessories, particularly shorter bridles and sweeps, based on previous studies on escape behavior of gadiform fishes. For this purposes, an experimental fishing for nylon shrimp (Heterocarpus reedi) was carried out on board of two trawler vessels. The results showed no significant differences in catch per unit of fishing effort (CPUE) for the target species between gears and significant reductions (p < 0.05) for the most important bycatch species (Merluccius gayi) with the modified gear. In fact, the average CPUE for M. gayi decreased 5.6 kg h -1 (19.2%) and 35.7 kg h -1 (47.5%) for each vessel.Keywords: by-catch, interspecific selectivity, trawl, nylon shrimp, Heterocarpus reedi, Chile.Mejoramiento de la selectividad interespecífica en arrastre de camarón nailon (Heterocarpus reedi) en Chile RESUMEN. Con la finalidad de mejorar la selectividad interespecífica de un nuevo diseño de red de arrastre de fondo de crustáceos demersales, se efectuó una experiencia destinada a probar el efecto del acortamiento de la longitud de las estructuras anexas de la red, específicamente estándares y malletas, basado en investigaciones similares respecto del comportamiento de escape de peces gadiformes. Para ello, se realizó una pesca experimental de camarón nailon (Heterocarpus reedi) con dos embarcaciones arrastreras. Los resultados mostraron que el arte de arrastre modificado, respecto del tradicional, presentó rendimientos de pesca (CPUE) sin diferencias significativas para el recurso objetivo y disminuciones significativas (valor p < 0,05) en la principal especie de fauna acompañante, Merluccius gayi, cuyos rendimientos de pesca promedio disminuyeron 5,6 kg h -1 (19,2%) y 35,7 kg h -1 (47,5%) en cada nave.Palabras clave: fauna acompañante, selectividad interespecífica, arrastre, camarón nailon, Heterocarpus reedi, Chile. ________________________Corresponding author: Dante Queirolo (dante.queirolo@ucv.cl)

The behaviour of fish by-catch was recorded and characterized by in situ observations in the mouth of a crustacean trawl using an underwater camera system with artificial light, at depths between 106 and 461 m, along the central coast of Chile. The groups or species studied were rattails (family Macrouridae), Chilean hake Merluccius gayi gayi, sharks (orders Carcharhiniformes and Squaliformes), skates (family Rajidae), flatfishes (genus Hippoglossina) and small benthopelagic and demersal fishes (orders Osmeriformes, Stomiiformes, Gadiformes, Ophidiiformes and Perciformes). The fish behaviour was categorized in terms of (1) position in the water column, (2) initial orientation with respect to the trawl, (3) locomotion and (4) swimming speed with respect to the trawl. Rattails, sharks, skates and flatfishes were passive in response to the trawl and showed similar behavioural patterns, with most fishes observed sitting or touching the bottom with no swimming or other activity. Merluccius gayi gayi was the most active species, displaying a wide combination of behavioural responses when the trawl approached. This species showed several behavioural patterns, mainly characterized by swimming forward at variable speed. A fraction of small bentho-pelagic and demersal fishes also showed an active behaviour but always at lower speed than the trawl. The species-specific differences in behaviour in the mouth of the trawl suggest that improvements at the level of the footrope can be made to reduce by-catch, especially of passive species.

Summary To determine the selectivity of gillnets in the Chilean artisanal fishery for the Chilean hake Merluccius gayi gayi, an experimental net was used with three mesh sizes (5.2, 6.8 and 7.6 cm). A total of 2279 specimens of Chilean hake were caught (24–56 cm total length, TL), mainly via gilling and snagging. The catch proportion below the size of sexual maturity SSM50% (37 cm TL) for each mesh size tested was estimated. Models were fitted separately according to the sex to compensate for differences in size compositions, with the males fitted to a binormal model and females fitted to the normal location model. Analysing both sexes combined, the model with the lowest deviance was lognormal, with estimated modal lengths of 30.9, 40.2 and 43.9 cm TL for meshes of 5.2, 6.8 and 7.6 cm, respectively. The estimated selectivity factor (SF) indicates that the modal size matches the SSM50% with a mesh size of 6.2 cm, while the length of retention of 50% (l50) coincides with the SSM50% with a mesh size of 7.6 cm.