Are cloth tarpaulin mounted nets effective for discard reduction in trammel nets?

Abstract

Discarding is a significant problem due to net damage and labour loss in trammel net fisheries. In this study, the effects of 15, 25, and 35 cm high cloth tarpaulin rigged between the lead line and the net were investigated in reducing the discard amount of trammel nets for red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the south-eastern Black Sea. During the study, twenty fishing trips were carried out on-board a commercial vessel between May 11 and June 20, 2018. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the amount of discards between the commercial and experimental nets (P>0.05) However, cloth tarpaulin mounted nets (CTMN) were found to be significantly successful to reduce the amount of shore crab (Liocarcinus depurator) and the veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa) (P<0.05). Although it is insignificant, a decline of capture was also observed in the amount of target species in CTMN compared to the commercial net (CN). Finally, the advantages and concerns of this gear modification, and potential reasons for the reduction of target and discard species are discussed.