Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada
In this study, we developed a semi-pelagic trawl to target redfish (Sebastes spp.) and potentially reduce the capture of bycatch species and seabed impacts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The new trawl used an innovative technique connecting the upper bridles of the trawl to the warps, anterior...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2023-10-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/16244.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797418982634946560 |
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| author | Vang Y. Nguyen Shannon M. Bayse Paul D. Winger Harold DeLouche George Legge |
| author_facet | Vang Y. Nguyen Shannon M. Bayse Paul D. Winger Harold DeLouche George Legge |
| author_sort | Vang Y. Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we developed a semi-pelagic trawl to target redfish (Sebastes spp.) and potentially reduce the capture of bycatch species and seabed impacts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The new trawl used an innovative technique connecting the upper bridles of the trawl to the warps, anterior of the trawl doors, leading to the trawl system being fished off the seabed. Such a technique can be used to match the heights of redfish as they move above the seabed during their diurnal cycle while allowing bycatch species related to the seabed to escape under the trawl. A 1:10 scale model of the trawl was constructed and evaluated in a flume tank to optimize the rigging and then a full-scale trawl was constructed for sea trials. Two field experiments subsequently evaluated the trawl at sea. The first field experiment concentrated on the experimental trawl’s operation and video observations of redfish behaviour in the trawl mouth and its effect on trawl entry. The second field experiment concentrated on a small-scale preliminary test on the catch of redfish and bycatch species when the trawl was on or off the seabed. Capture results, though preliminary, indicate that redfish can be targeted commercially with a semi-pelagic trawl, though some redfish will escape under the trawl. Additionally, results suggest that the catches of bycatch species may be reduced. In conclusion, this study suggests that a semi-pelagic trawl could be considered an effective technique to harvest redfish sustainably. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:41:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a23df5ee1764719804bf3d178085c05 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:41:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a23df5ee1764719804bf3d178085c052023-12-03T10:46:33ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592023-10-0111e1624410.7717/peerj.16244Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, CanadaVang Y. NguyenShannon M. BaysePaul D. WingerHarold DeLoucheGeorge LeggeIn this study, we developed a semi-pelagic trawl to target redfish (Sebastes spp.) and potentially reduce the capture of bycatch species and seabed impacts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The new trawl used an innovative technique connecting the upper bridles of the trawl to the warps, anterior of the trawl doors, leading to the trawl system being fished off the seabed. Such a technique can be used to match the heights of redfish as they move above the seabed during their diurnal cycle while allowing bycatch species related to the seabed to escape under the trawl. A 1:10 scale model of the trawl was constructed and evaluated in a flume tank to optimize the rigging and then a full-scale trawl was constructed for sea trials. Two field experiments subsequently evaluated the trawl at sea. The first field experiment concentrated on the experimental trawl’s operation and video observations of redfish behaviour in the trawl mouth and its effect on trawl entry. The second field experiment concentrated on a small-scale preliminary test on the catch of redfish and bycatch species when the trawl was on or off the seabed. Capture results, though preliminary, indicate that redfish can be targeted commercially with a semi-pelagic trawl, though some redfish will escape under the trawl. Additionally, results suggest that the catches of bycatch species may be reduced. In conclusion, this study suggests that a semi-pelagic trawl could be considered an effective technique to harvest redfish sustainably.https://peerj.com/articles/16244.pdfFish behaviourCapture efficiencyRedfishSemi-pelagic trawlRedfish fisheryGear modification |
| spellingShingle | Vang Y. Nguyen Shannon M. Bayse Paul D. Winger Harold DeLouche George Legge Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada PeerJ Fish behaviour Capture efficiency Redfish Semi-pelagic trawl Redfish fishery Gear modification |
| title | Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada |
| title_full | Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada |
| title_fullStr | Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada |
| title_short | Developing a semi-pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada |
| title_sort | developing a semi pelagic trawl to capture redfish in the gulf of st lawrence canada |
| topic | Fish behaviour Capture efficiency Redfish Semi-pelagic trawl Redfish fishery Gear modification |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/16244.pdf |
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