Positive results from demersal seine net gear trials

Our Fisheries Conservation team is working with industry to reduce unwanted catches and improve efficiencies with a new report on the assessment of a four-panel 100 mm T90 codend onboard two seine net vessels showing positive results from gear trials.

Results from three trials demonstrated substantial increases in catches of larger and more valuable haddock, hake and flat fish; reduced catches of smaller less valuable haddock and hake; almost no retention of undersize fish; increased landings value, catch quality and price differentials.

At least one vessel is now consistently using the gear which has major potential to further improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the Irish demersal seine net fishery.

Read the full report here.