Impact of square mesh codend on conservation of resources
Impact of square mesh codend on conservation of resources
Date
2004
Authors
Varghese, M.D.
Manoharadoss, R.S.
Nair, A.K.K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai (India)
Abstract
Retention of immature and undersized species of fishes and shrimps in the conventional diamond mesh codends of trawls, results in indiscriminate exploitation and consequent resource crunch. Replacement of diamond mesh codend with square mesh which remain open under tow unlike the former, facilitates escape of juveniles through better filtration. Length frequency studies were undertaken with codends of different shape and size to compare the size pattern of different species caught in the diamond and square mesh codends and also to evaluate the performance in reducing the retention of discards and immature fish. The analysis of the data revealed that the square mesh codends retained considerably less small fish. The length at 50% retention was more in square mesh codends in respect of certain species. But this phenomenon was not applicable to some species in view of the morphological difference between species and also when the codend is saturated with high catch.
Description
Keywords
Codend, mesh selectivity, mesh regulations, resource conservation
Citation
Paper presented at International Symposium on Large Marine Ecosystems: Exploration and Exploitation for Sustainable Development and Conservation organised by Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai held at Cochin, 25 -27 Nov, 1998 ed. by Somvanshi, V.S. et. al, 560-568