Measuring the height of the fishing line and its effect on shrimp catch and bycatch in an ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawl

摘要

The relationship between fishing line height (FLH), shrimp catch and bycatch in a semi-pelagic ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawl was investigated using a newly developed recording inclinometer. The inclinometer was effective at measuring FLH and indicating trawl performance deficits. FLH was determined to be stable during a haul and also between hauls within a given footrope and groundline configuration. FLH was readily adjusted with simple modifications to the footrope "dropper" chains. Inclinometer data showed that FLH can be unequal between double-rigged nets of identical configuration. Shrimp catch and the bycatch of flatfish and juvenile rockfish varied inversely with FLH, suggesting FLH can be adjusted to equalize the catch of shrimp, flatfish and juvenile rockfish between two double-rigged shrimp nets.