Selectivity of Trawls

Boopendranath M.R.; Pravin P.

doi:10.56093/ft.v42i1.16854

Authors

Boopendranath M.R. Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin
Pravin P. Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin

https://doi.org/10.56093/ft.v42i1.16854

Keywords:

Trawl selectivity, mean selection length, selection range, selection factor, selective trawl, square mesh panel, optimum mesh size

Abstract

Responsible fishing regime requires that fishing gear should preferentially catch the adult fish at a particular age, which would maximize yield while permitting the juveniles and subadults to escape and also minimize the catch of non-targeted and protected organisms. In this review, selectivity characteristics of trawls are discussed in the context of their relevance in conservation of fishery resources, development of selective fishing gears and fisheries management. Different methods used for determining trawl selectivity are discussed along with recent developments related to trawl selectivity such as evolution of selective trawls, use of square mesh in trawl construction, and optimum mesh size determination for multispecies trawl fisheries.