FISHERIES DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM

Environmental Awareness and Conservation Technology

Project Summary: EACT- 7.2001.DFO (FDP 258) Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Experiments Carried Out Aboard Commercial Vessels

The retention of small fish in the Greenland halibut (turbot) offshore trawl fishery has been a serious concern for many years, often resulting in partial or complete closure of the turbot fishery in some areas. This has prompted those involved in the turbot fishery to seek innovative and practical technological solutions to reduce or eliminate the capture of undersized turbot in trawls, thereby contributing to the economic viability and conservation of Canada's turbot fishery resource.

GOVERNMENT OF ma NEWFOUNDLAND Canadial p AND LABRADOR BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION of small fish caught (overall catch) for a particular population. The retention of small turbot in Since 1998, the Turbot Industry The Working Group will continue turbot trawls has been an issue Working Group has carried out a to conduct at-sea trials to seek that has plagued the turbot series of projects in an attempt to solutions to small fish retention in industry for many years. The find solutions to the problem of turbot trawls. Starting with the 1998 recommendation by the small fish retention. Among these premise that trawls will be rigged Fisheries Resource Conservation have been several studies aimed with small mesh in the entire Council (FRCC) to increase the at building on the existing forward part, new research will mesh size of turbot trawls to knowledge with regard to the explore ways of making the 155 mm diamond or 165 mm selectivity of turbot trawls, codend more selective. For square mesh placed the issue of specifically how mesh size example, research may be small fish retention squarely on determines selectivity directed at assessing methods of the shoulders of the turbot characteristics. keeping the meshes of the codend industry. Spurred by the desire to open during trawling operations. conserve fish stocks while Also, observations by fishers that maintaining economically viable there was a tendency for smaller fishing operations, fishers united turbot to be more frequently to collectively find solutions to the meshed in the fore part than larger problem of small fish retention in turbot have led to studies being turbot trawls. undertaken to determine if the MEMBERS OF THE percentage of small fish retained TURBOT INDUSTRY To begin, the Turbot Industry in the overall catch could be WORKING GROUP Working Group was formed. This reduced by lowering or eliminating Group, comprised of the major meshing in the fore part of a turbot Industry: mobile gear, offshore component trawl. Clearwater Fine Foods Inc. of the turbot harvesting industry, Fishery Products International was given a mandate to address Several key findings have M.V. Osprey Ltd. the issue of small fish retention in gradually emerged from these Seafreeze Ltd. turbot trawls. cooperative ventures, throwing Nunavut Wildlife Management light on the issue of small fish Board The Working Group with support retention. It has been shown that there is a significantly greater Government: from DFO has actively promoted Department of Fisheries and escapement of small fish when cooperative research ventures on Oceans commercial vessels aimed at using a 145 mm codend compared Fisheries Management developing gear technology and to a 130 mm codend (used by Sector fishing practices to assist in the other countries). Further, it has (Headquarters and conservation of turbot stocks. been shown that having small Regional) mesh in only a small portion of the Science, Oceans & This summary provides an forward section of the trawl does Environment Branch overview of the activities that have little to reduce meshing and in been undertaken by members of fact, the turbot become meshed Department of Sustainable Development-Nunavut the Turbot Industry Working Group elsewhere. On the other hand, to address small fish retention in having small mesh in the entire Observers: fore part has been shown to turbot trawls. Fisheries Resource practically eliminate meshing and Conservation Council thus the level of discards, but does not greatly reduce the percentage

2 Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels INDUSTRY AND DFO Examples of protocols SUPPORT WORKING commissioned by DFO to undertake selectivity work include: GROUP INITIATIVES Protocol for Conducting Work proposed and undertaken by Greenland Halibut (Turbot) the Turbot Industry Working Group Selectivity Experiments Aboard has received support from the M. V. Northern Osprey members of the Working Group as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Protocol for Conducting Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Many members have been Selectivity Experiments with FPI instrumental in getting the Millennium Trawl proposed research work off the ground. Others have taken an active role in individual projects by WHY THE NEED FOR providing vessel time, fishing time, equipment, and data collection. SELECTIVITY SELECTIVITY These contributions have made at- STUDIES PARAMETERS FOR sea trials aboard commercial TURBOT DEFINED vessels a reality. A main objective of harvesting Selectivity: operations is to obtain an Selectivity is the ability to target and As well, DFO in its ongoing economically valuable catch capture fish by species, size, or sex commitment to industry, has lent without jeopardizing conservation during harvesting operations, allowing its support to these cooperative of the resource. Work that assists incidental by-catch to be released unharmed. ventures by: fishers in this pursuit is critical. Knowing the selectivity Selection Length a) commissioning protocols characteristics of a gear such as Selection length L50 is the fish length specifically designed for the L25, L50, L75, and selection at which the probability of retention each study. Each protocol range, can be invaluable to fish of turbot exposed to the gear is 50% and the probability of release is 50%; outlines acceptable harvesters. For example, if the the L25, the length at which the procedures for carrying out selection range of a gear is wide, probability of retention is 25% and commercial testing, the gear may be catching too the probability of release is 75%; and ensuring the research work many small fish and releasing too the L75, the length at which the is reliable and valid; many larger, more marketable fish. probability of retention is 75% and the probability of release is 25%. Research that identifies selectivity b) providing for analysis of characteristics can assist fishers in Selection Range: data, production of reports, rigging their gear to maximize Selection range is the difference in the and dissemination of results and conserve the turbot length between turbot that have a 25% results; and resource. probability of being retained and those that have a 75% probability of being retained. c) providing fishing gear and or A major objective of the selectivity observers for some of the work undertaken by the Turbot Frequency Distribution: research. Working Group has been aimed at Frequency distribution is the number identifying the selectivity of times each length (weight) group of a given species occurs in the catch. It characteristics of turbot trawls that is a term used to describe the size are rigged in different ways. characteristics of the catch.

Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels 3 INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP BEGINS TURBOT INITIATIVES

Having observed in their day-to-day, operations that large quantities of undersized turbot were being meshed and retained in the lower first belly and lower wing sections, members of the Working Group in consultation with other fishers suggested that the 11.t: Vorthern Osprey problem of small fish retention might Experimental trawls • The total catch rate per hour well be arising in those two sections Each experimental gear consisted of and the distribution of the of the trawl. Accordingly, the industry a standard 630 Bacalao trawl having catch (belly, wings, and group proposed that commercial a 145 mm codend with one codend) were similar across testing begin, designed to determine component of the gear modified - a all gears. the selectivity of various mesh sizes. section of the lower first belly and lower wings. Modifications were as • The percentage of small Enlisted to provide its support of follows: turbot in all gears ranged from commercial testing, M.V. Osprey gear A, constructed of 120 mm, 18-23% (belly 28-32%, wings Limited offered the M.V. Northern gear B, constructed of 80 mm, and 22-32 %, and the codend 13- Osprey, a 65.6 m factory freezer 21%). trawler, for use in the selectivity gear C constructed of 200 mm. experiments. Results with Small Mesh in • The retention rate of small Osprey Conducts Fore part turbot was greater than the At-sea Trials with Using the alternate haul methodology, regulatory level of 15%. Small Mesh in the M.V. Northern Osprey completed a total of 75 tows, obtaining 23 valid During the at-sea trials, meshing was the Fore part pairs that were used in the analysis: observed to still occur throughout the trawl. Only a small portion of the trawl From August 24 to September 22, a) 8 with the standard paired with had been modified with small mesh 1998, a comparative study was gear A; (5%), suggesting the need to conducted in NAFO division OB b) 6 with the standard paired with investigate the impact of meshing with comparing the performance of a gear B; and the entire belly and wing sections c) 9 with the standard standard trawl to that of three (3) modified with a smaller mesh. paired with gear C. experimental trawls, each rigged with Exhibit A a different mesh size in the lower first A comparison of the belly and wing sections. quantity and size composition of turbot Standard trawl caught in various parts The standard trawl consisted of a 630 (wings, belly, and codend) Bacalao trawl rigged with 160 mm of the standard trawl and mesh in the "front" and "middle" of the the corresponding sections trawl and a 145 mm codend. of each experimental trawl suggested that:

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4 Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels Mean Percentage of Small Fish Caught in Different Parts of the Gear With such promising results, it was Codend Belly Wings Total recommended that further testing Small Large Small Large Small Large Small Large be conducted with a standard Standard 38.5 251.1 20.4 42.9 25.3 68.4 84.2 362.4 codend fished against codends Gear SF %: 13.3 SF %: 32.3 SF %: 27.0 SF %: 18.9 having a plastic-coated panel Gear A 60.8 263.7 220.4 47.4 25.1 52.4 106.4 363.5 insert in both legs of the codend. SF %: 18.7 SF %: 30.1 SF %: 32.4 SF %: 22.6

Standard 37.9 233.5 20.6 42.8 26.6 72.8 85.1 349.0 vs A SF %: 14.0 SF %: 32.5 SF %: 26.7 SF %: 19.6 FPI STUDY PRODUCES Gear B 63.8 237.8 17.0 42.2 16.1 52.4 96.7 322.4 SF %: 21.2 SF %: 28.8 SF %: 23.5 SF %: 22.6 SELECTIVITY

Standard 38.0 231.7 17.0 42.2 20.3 63.2 75.2 337.1 CURVES FOR vs B SF %: 14.1 SF %: 28.7 SF %: 24.3 SF %: 18.2 STANDARD GEAR Gear C 49.2 255.3 21.4 52.34 19.7 69.4 90.3 377.1 In the spring of 2000, members of SF %: 16.2 SF %: 29.0 SF %: 22.1 SF %: 19.3 the Turbot Industry Working Group Standard 39.3 277.0 22.7 43.4 27.8 69.0 89.8 389.4 suggested that the acquisition of vs C SF %: 12.4 SF %: 34.3 SF%: 28.7 SF %: 18.7 baseline data would be of great benefit to the turbot fishery. Accordingly, the Group Numbers are rounded. recommended commercial testing be conducted to obtain data to • the experimental codend caught generate selectivity curves for a M. V. Northern Osprey standard turbot trawl. Conducts Second Set of less small turbot than the standard codend, with an average decrease At-Sea Trials with "Exit of 2.88%; and Backed by Fishery Products Window" International Limited (FPI) who offered to study the selectivity of a 145 mm • in 6 of 10 tows, small fish In a second experiment conducted codend in their new Millennium trawl, retention was within the regulatory from September 22 to October 14, at-sea trials commenced on April 24, level of 15%. 2000, the Northern Osprey fished a 2000, in NAFO division 3K aboard the standard trawl with one half of the FPI's F.V. Pennysmart. Trials ran until codend rigged with a plastic-coated May 3, 2000. net panel (exit window) insert in the top port leg (experimental trawl) and Summary of the Catch Per Hour by Gear Type (Mean Values) the other half of the codend, the Gear Type Number Number of Weight starboard leg, rigged in the normal of Fish Small Fish (kgs)

manner (standard trawl). All Tows of Standard 447 84 621.6

Gear A 469 106 611.4 Although data was limited, a comparison of the number and size Standard fished with A 434 85 600.9 composition of the catch in the port Gear B 429 97 558.8 leg of the codend with the number and size composition of fish captured Standard fished with B 412 75 561.3 in the starboard leg indicated that: Gear C 467 90 694.5

Standard fished with C 479 90 678.3

Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels 5 Exhibit B At-sea trials were FPI Millennium Trawl completed using the trouser trawl methodology in

awaSsm. N.Y. INMAN() depths ranging

213 from 500-700 fathoms, with most tows at 550 fathoms.

Eighteen (18) M. I, : Pennvsmart valid tows were

a. completed. The 10 valid tows were completed. The absolute selectivity of the results obtained were compared with standard gear was results of the population measured in determined by comparing experiment 1. Preliminary results the catch of the standard indicate that the use of small mesh in millennium codend to the the fore part and body of the trawl total population of fish exposed to the prevents meshing. With a decrease in gear estimated from the catch of the meshing, fish are directed to the "Millennium" Trawl Tested non-selective, small-mesh codend (50 codend and are selected, thereby To obtain data to generate selectivity mm control). reducing the overall catch of small curves for the standard trawl, FPI's turbot. "millennium" trawl constructed with Work with Small Mesh meshes 160 mm or more in the fore part and a 145 mm in the codend was in Fore part Resumes divided into two sections by a vertical Aboard M.V. Pennysmart CLEARWATER panel. Attached to one side of the UNDERTAKES panel was a standard codend having The Pennysmart also conducted FURTHER RESEARCH a mesh of 145 mm and attached to several trials with the trawl rigged with the other side of the panel was a small mesh in the fore part, adding to During the fall 2000 fishing season small-mesh, non-selective 50 mm the data on the effectiveness of small Clearwater Fine Foods Incorporated codend (control). mesh in the forward and middle parts of a turbot trawl in requested and was granted an reducing or experimental license to continue the work begun by FPI. Codend Selection by 145mm Mesh eliminating the (p estimated) meshing of small marketable size Total Depth) turbot. Depth2 Selectivity parameters The vessel of Standard Trawl completed trials with the L25 = 43.67 cm millennium trawl incorporating L50 = 47.16 cm small mesh (80 mm) twine in the L75 = 50.65 cm fore part of the 30 40 00 70 BO trawl. A total of Length thrn)

6 Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels Summary of Data Collected Control Codend (50 mm) S andard Codend (145 rem) Forepart of Standard Gear (trouser (scaled data) (scaled data) version) scaled data A Set a a Total a Wt. • Sm Total a Wt. Fish % Sm a Total Wt. % Sm Total Weight RESULTS OF AT-SEA Sm Fish Fish Fish Fish (kg) Fish Sm Fish a Fish Fish Fish Fish(kg) n. Fish (I . Ret'd j4 TRIALS ABOARD THE 04 166 251 330 0.66 44 159 129 0.28 88 581 133 0.56 592 ATLANTIC ENTERPRISE 05 166 272 252 0.61 26 151 157 0.17 89 186 170 048 579 (phase I) 06 211 312 195 0.67 40 136 114 0.29 64 129 110 0.50 419 08 144 263 1107 0.54 85 259 439 0.33 158 307 480 0.51 2026 Overall Hourly Catch Rate: 0.63 35 241 360 0.15 185 336 390 0.55 1701 10 168 263 951 Experimental gear caught on 11 158 262 499 0.60 31 148 171 0.21 83 173 161 0.48 831

12 185 267 2647 0.69 86 285 823 0.30 183 301 702 0.81 4172 average more fish than standard

13 189 288 1104 0.65 69 267 405 0.26 158 273 416 0.58 1925 gear, but not significantly

14 151 268 880 0.56 85 322 410 0.26 154 306 382 0.50 1672 different.

15 158 291 1550 0.54 42 258 472 0.16 139 259 546 0.54 2568

16 168 297 2865 0.56 99 309 844 0.32 181 323 429 0.56 4138 Small Fish Retention: 17 183 278 3772 0.65 94 268 886 0.35 171 284 551 0.60 5209 Experimental gear retained 18 197 279 3118 0.70 94 265 998 0.35 172 274 481 0.63 4597 fewer small fish than the 19 170 277 819 0.61 70 268 312 0.26 134 267 466 0.50 1597 standard (exp. 26.78% and 21 152 275 2565 0.55 89 273 936 0.37 143 307 760 0.47 4261 standard 28.75%). 22 169 272 1196 0.62 58 266 339 0.22 159 265 345 0.60 1880 Length frequency of the The protocol established for the FPI the M.V. Atlantic Enterprise Catch: experiments guided the work which completed a total of 63 tows, 47 of The cumulative distribution was to be completed in two phases. which were valid (20 with the standard indicated that there was no Phase I, at-sea comparative fishing gear and 27 with the experimental difference between the codend trials were carried out in NAFO areas gear). section and the overall gear. OB and 2G from May 21 to June 13, 2000 aboard Clearwater's M.V. Data was used to determine and Atlantic Enterprise. compare the performance of each gear in terms of the overall catch rate Gear Tested (phase I) per hour, small fish retention rate, and Atlantic Enterprise Standard gear small fish retention rate in the codend. Phase ll adds to The standard trawl (454 mesh) was Data on Selectivity constructed of nominal 160 mm mesh Curves in the fore part and 145 mm in the codend. From November 19, 2000, to January 01, 2001, Clearwater Fine Foods Experimental gear Incorporated completed phase two of Consisted of a the selectivity work begun in early standard trawl with the 2000. Three experiments were front part constructed carried out. of nominal 100 mm mesh and a codend of EXPERIMENT # 1 145 mm mesh. Purpose: To generate selectivity curves for a Methodology turbot trawl having small mesh in the Using the alternately fore part (100 mm) and a 145 mm hauled methodology, codend.

M.V Atlantic Enterprise

Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels 7

Of these, five valid EXPERIMENT # 2 Exhibit C pairs were Purpose: analyzed. To generate selectivity curves for a standard turbot trawl (145 mm 720 X 100 mm MESH TURBOT TRAWL HEADROPE Selectivity was codend), adding to the work

Headrope = 45.6m determined by completed by FPI. 24rem ComOination Wire Rope comparing the FOOTROPE catch of the Gear Tested experimental Tested was a standard turbot trawl of codend with the nominal 160 mm mesh and a145 mm total population of codend; and frOm fish exposed to the 710m 454 gear, estimated A reference standard (control) gear from the catch in consisting of the standard gear of 356 the control gear Mesh SIZe nominal 160 mm mesh in the fore part 100mm n4 (45 mm codend). and a 45 mm codend.

280 305 Footope 6 56in Methodology 13.8mm Chain Results of Experiment #1 A total of 26 tows were

completed with the 208 226 The selectivity parameters of experimental trawl (fore part of standard gear fished on 100 mm mesh and codend an alternating basis 145 mm): 112 against the standard Mesh Sin reference (control). Of 100rrim 545 L25=36.3 cm Premium L50=46.5 cm these, five valid pairs L75=56.7 cm were used in analysis.

Gear Tested The experimental trawl consisted of a Gear SELECT Curves in Experiment #1 (p estimated) standard trawl with the fore part of the

trawl constructed of nominal 100 mm ..... diamond mesh and the codend and " ------lengthening piece of 145 mm diamond

mesh; and trawl constructed of --/

nominal 100 mm diamond mesh and / / ' the codend and lengthening piece of / • 145 mm diamond mesh; and 1-- • 7 0 A reference experimental (control) 0 Q Overall gear consisting of the experimental Pair 04-05 Pair 10-11 gear having a 45 mm mesh codend. Co Pair 14-15 Pair 16-17 Pair 20-21 Methodology L25 L50 L75 SR SF 0 36.26 46.45 56.65 0.52 20.39 3.20 A total of 12 paired tows were 0

completed with the experimental gear 40 60 80 100

fished against the control (reference Length (cm) experimental) on an alternating basis.

8 Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels

Selectivity was calculated Gear Tested Exhibit D by comparing the catch Standard gear of the standard gear to The standard gear consisted of a the total population of fish standard trawl constructed of nominal

HEADROPE estimated from the catch 160 mm diamond mesh and a codend 454 X 160 mm MESH TURBOT TRAWL A7/ 7 of the small-mesh and lengthening piece of 145 mm Headrope = 45.6m 24mrn Combination Wire Rope reference standard mesh. FOOTROPE / (control) gear. Experimental gear Results of Experiment #2 The experimental trawl consisted of a standard trawl Sam The selectivity parameters of with the fore part of the trawl standard trawl (fore part 160 mm 7 10m 292 constructed of nominal mesh and codend 145 mm): 100 mm diamond mesh and L25=30.0 cm the codend and lengthening Mesh Size 18Ornm x 4mm 5 Polyethylene ',Seine L50=40.2 cm piece of 145 mm diamond L75=50.4 cm mesh.

Foote'. = 55m SR= 20.4 cm 13.8mm Chain

Methodology EXPERIMENT #3 The Atlantic Enterprise alternately Purpose: hauled the standard gear (nominal 110 To compare the catch 160 mm fore part) with the Mesh Size 160rnin x 4pn performance of a experimental gear having 100 mm Polyethylene Twine Double standard turbot trawl with fore part and a 145 mm codend for a one having the fore part total of 68 tows. constructed of small (100 mm) mesh. Results of Experiment #3 a) The percentage of small fish Gear SELECT Curves in Experiment #2 (p estimated) (<45 cm) caught during experiment # 3 was 25.74% for

0 the experimental gear and .. 22.41% for the standard gear. / /z / I _ 1 / a 1 b) The percent of small fish was similar for both gears. During

/ experiment #1 the experimental bility f 0 ba gear caught 25.81% small fish ro

p and during experiment #2, the ion t

n i f

te 0 1 / standard gear caught 27.17% Re 1'/, Overall small fish. Pair 51-52 1 / 7' 7 7I'L--- Pair 53-54 (‘! – Pair 61-62 0 r/ Both gears exceeded the Pair 63-64 c) — – Pair 73-74 current small fish protocol / L25 L50 L75 p SR SF „/ 29.99 40.21 50.43 0.54 20.44 2.77 (based on definition of small fish 0 as those under 45 cm). 40 60 80 100

Length (cm)

Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels 9 Small Fish Retention Rate vs Undersize Fish Criterion (Exp #3 Results of All Three Gear Gear Variable Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Experiments Location Concerned 41mm 42mm 43mm 44mm 45mm 46mm 47mm 48mm 49mm The level of discards for all three 145mm Small 186 294 475 711 997 1312 1596 1909 2175 experiments was approximately Standard Codend 4.3% for the standard gear and Total 4522 4522 4522 4522 4522 4522 4522 4522 4522 approximately 1.8% for the Percentage 4.11 6.50 10.50 15.72 22.05 29.01 35.29 42.22 48.10 160mm Small 28 45 67 96 128 164 203 238 273 experimental gear. Forepart Total 498 498 498 498 498 498 498 498 498

It appears that adoption of small Percentage 5.62 9.04 13.45 19.28 25.70 32.93 40.76 47.79 54.82 Overall Small 214 339 542 807 1125 1476 1799 2147 2448 mesh in the fore part of the trawl Gear Total 5020 5020 5020 5020 5020 5020 5020 5020 5020 does not adversely affect the Percentage 4.26 6.75 10.80 16.08 22.41 29.40 35.84 42.77 48.76 amount of small fish retained. 145mm Small 286 417 641 890 1194 1536 1839 2168 2459 However, it does reduce the level EXP Codend Total 5137 5137 5137 5137 5137 5137 5137 5137 5137 of discards and the amount of fish Percentage 5.57 8.12 12.48 17.33 23.24 29.90 35.80 42.20 47.87 meshed in the fore part. L50 100mm Small 91 118 149 179 207 230 248 263 274 values determined are generally in Forepart Total 305 305 305 305 305 305 305 305 305 line with the work reported by Percentage 29.84 38.69 48.85 58.69 67.87 75.41 81.31 86.23 89.84 Spain and the work carried out by Overall Small 377 535 790 1069 1401 1766 2087 2431 2733 Canada aboard the M.V. Gear Total 5442 5442 5442 5442 5442 5442 54.42 5442 5442 Pennysmart. Percentage 6.93 9.83 14.52 19.64 25.74 32.45 38.35 44.67 50.22

Redefining a Small Fish Comparison of the Fish Meshed In the Fore Part of the Experimental and Standard Gears Canada defines a small fish as a fish Section Data Exp. 3 Data Exp. 1 Data Exp. 2 under 45 cm in length. Typical of Gear (averages) (averages) (averages) populations of turbot often include a St. Gear Exp. Gear Exp. Gear St. Gear (160 mm) (100 mm) (100 mm) (160 mm) large percentage of fish that are only

Codend 4 522 5 137 2 963 4 297 slightly below (within 2 cm) 45 cm in length. Fore Part 498 305 179 521

Total 5 020 5 442 3 142 4 818 Given that in European markets there is still quite a strong market for small turbot % of Catch in 9.9 5.6 5.7 10.8 and that in particular fisheries of Canada, Fore Part the stock has a huge component of turbot between 43 and 45 cm in length, it is not surprising that some participants have drawn attention to the definition of Summary of Discard Rates During All Three Experiments "small" fish and the large impact on small turbot retention rates that the definition of Experiment Gear Type Mean Standard # Deviation "small" makes.

1 Experimental (100 mm tore part. 145 mm codend) 1.88 0,76 Analysis of data collected during phase II Reference Exp. (100 mm fore part, 45 mm codend) 1.27 0.53 of the M.V. Atlantic Enterprise shows that Standard ( 160 mm lore part 145 mm codend) 4.37 1.32 if a small fish is defined as <43 cm, the Reference standard (16(1 mm fore part. 45 mm codend) 3.92 1.36 percentage of small fish retained is 3 Standard (160 mm tore part, 145 mm codend) 4.18 1.40 10.8% for the standard gear and 14.52% Experimental ( 100 mm fore part, 145 min codend) 1.84 ((.57 for the experimental gear.

10 Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels Comparison of meshing that occurs with the body of the trawl rigged with 100 mm mesh and 160 mm mesh

However, if "small" is defined as In arguing its case, Canada Many argue that it is in the best interest <41 cm, the percentage of small compared the results obtained in of government and industry to put in fish retained is 4.26% for the Canada with the 145 mm codend to place a regulation that permits fishers to standard gear and 6.93% for the that reported by Spain using a fish with small mesh (100 cm or less) in experimental gear. (See table 130 mm mesh trawl. Spain reported the fore part. above.) an L50 of 37.6 cm for a 130 mm mesh codend. This would predict an L50 of 41.9 for the 145 mm mesh, NEXT STEPS CANADA similar to Canadian findings. Canada's work on turbot began with the PRESENTS premise that small fish meshed in the FINDINGS TO NAFO CONCLUSION trawl had to be reduced. The experiments conducted through the Canada is widely respected among The work completed by the Turbot Turbot Industry Working Group aboard members of the international Working Group has not resulted in commercial vessels has shown that with fishing community for its any definitive ways of greatly small mesh in the fore part of the trawl, contribution to the development reducing or eliminating the capture of meshing in the fore part is reduced. It and implementation of small fish in the overall catch of had been anticipated that by using small responsible fishing technologies turbot trawls. However, some mesh in the fore part, fish would be and practices. important findings have emerged. directed to the codend where they would be selected, thus reducing the number of At a recent NAFO meeting, Clearly, when trawls are rigged with small fish in the total catch. However, Canada presented a paper (Walsh, small mesh in the fore part the result results indicate that small fish redirected Foster, Wang, and Brothers 2000) is reduced meshing. With meshing to the codend can become meshed in on the results of its work on turbot eliminated, there are fewer discards. the codend. Accordingly, attention now and encouraged the adoption of a needs to be directed to research on ways larger mesh size, suggesting that Skippers report that the quality of the to make the codend more effective in the use of a larger mesh would not catch is greatly improved with small selecting the catch. Solutions must be affect the catch of marketable fish mesh in the fore part and this in turn found which will ensure all small turbot and would reduce the number of increases the value of the catch are released while larger turbot are small fish captured. without increasing the quota. retained.

Turbot selectivity experiments aboard commercial vessels 11 Partners/Contributor • M.V. Osprey Ltd. • Fishery Products International Inc • Clearwater Fine Foods Inc. • Seafreeze Ltd. • DFO Newfoundland Region National Capital Region

For further information on this project:

Mr. Gerald Brothers Coordinator - Conservation Technology Program Planning and Coordination Fisheries Management Branch Fisheries & Oceans Canada P.O. Box 5667 St. John's NF A1C 5X1

Mr. Andrew Duthie Chief. Responsible Fishing Operations Fisheries Management Fisheries and Oceans Canada 200 Kent Street. 13093 Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6

The $10 million Fisheries Diversification Program is part of the $81.5 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement respecting the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative, announced in August, 1999. The main thrust of the Fisheries Diversification Program is industry-wide research and development initiatives that reflect the economic development priorities of the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry.

F D P project no. 258