The influence of warp length on trawl dimension and catch of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma in a bottom trawl survey
We examined variation in trawl dimension, bottom contact, and catch with differing warp lengths during walleye pollock surveys conducted by the Fisheries Research Agency. The ratio of warp length to fishing depth (scope ratio) was set at 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 at depths of 110 m. At a 2.5 scope ratio, the...
| Published in: | Fisheries Science |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Blackwell Publishing
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/2115/623 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-2906.2005.01023.x |
| Summary: | We examined variation in trawl dimension, bottom contact, and catch with differing warp lengths during walleye pollock surveys conducted by the Fisheries Research Agency. The ratio of warp length to fishing depth (scope ratio) was set at 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 at depths of 110 m. At a 2.5 scope ratio, the net mouth shape and footgear contact fluctuated, as the trawl door did not contact the bottom. Footgear contact was complete when the scope ratio was 3.0 or more. Walleye pollock, sculpins, and flatfishes were the main catch in all tows, and the catch increased with scope ratio. There was no difference in the length frequency of n= 300 walleye pollock captured at 2.5 and 3.0 scope ratio. However, the length frequency at 3.5 was significantly different from that of other scope ratios. These results suggest the following: at a scope ratio of 3.0 or more, the trawl door will not leave the bottom at any depths. To compliment echo surveys for walleye pollock, a 3.0 scope ratio would be optimal, since the catch data for a 3.5 scope ratio was dissimilar from that of scope ratios. |
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