Fishing profiles of Danish seiners and bottom trawlers in relation to current EU management regulations

Abstract

Danish seines and bottom trawls operate differently and have different catching processes. Both gears belong to the same legislative category in European fisheries, but different management strategies in other countries and criticism by fishers on grouping Danish seines and trawls together indicate disagreement on current gear classification. This study compared both gears in terms of their fishing characteristics and catches of commercial species based on 16 years of observer data. Danish seining is a specialised fishing method that targeted few species but with higher total catch rates than bottom trawlers. Bottom trawling is a more all‐purpose fishing method that targets a larger number of species, and bottom trawlers use larger engines than Danish seiners. A generalised additive mixed model indicated that catch rates of flatfish are generally higher for Danish seines, and catch rates of roundfish species are higher for trawlers. The results do not directly suggest a separation of the gears in terms of legislation as the quantities of fish below current minimum size were similar, but for example future survival studies may reach different conclusions. Additional factors were found to be important in determining catches of both gears.

An evaluation of European initiatives established to encourage industry‐led development of selective fishing gears

“…In the Kattegat and Skagerrak, the technical regulations applicable to demersal trawling require large mesh panels be used when fishing with a codend mesh size of 90–119 mm. The use of large mesh panels has been mandatory in the Kattegat and Skagerrak since 2011 and 2013, respectively (Noack et al, ). Their introduction aimed to reduce the catches of juvenile fish, including cod.…”

Survival of undersized plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) discarded in the bottom otter trawl and Danish seine mixed fisheries in Skagerrak

“…The most important 25 target species for seiners is plaice, but other species like witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), 26 cod and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) are also targeted. Both fisheries catch undersized regulated species and are therefore affected by the landing obligation [10]. In Skagerrak, an average (weight) of 24% (range: 11-40%) of the total annual catches of plaice in the mixed bottom trawl fishery 29 using mesh sizes 90-119 mm were discarded in 2011-2016, while it was 8% (range: 4-14%) when 30 caught by Danish seiners (data from the EU Data Collection Framework, Danish Agrifish Agency,…”