To ask the Scottish Executive what research was commissioned on fishing gear in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 and what conclusions were reached.
In the period 2005-08, short-term pieces of gear related research were carried out on the following subjects:
2004-05
The selectivity of commercial fishing gears (including work on predictive models of selectivity).
Nephrops selectivity trials on the west coast using large meshes (90-120mm).
Selectivity of cod ends used by the under 10m fleet.
Seasonal variation in unaccounted mortality.
2005-06
Comparison of single and multiple rig trawls.
The selectivity of whitefish trawls.
2006-07
Selectivity work in Nephrops mixed fisheries, particularly cod selectivity.
Selectivity work in whitefish mixed fisheries, particularly cod selectivity.
2007-08
Selectivity work in Nephrops mixed fisheries, particularly cod selectivity.
Selectivity work in whitefish mixed fisheries, particularly cod selectivity.
In the period 2005-08, the strategic gear-related research projects were:
2000-05 | Quantification of trawl survey gear properties |
2003-06 | Technical solutions to mixed fishery problems |
2005-08 | Quantification of survey gear selectivity and application to abundance estimation of key commercial species (specifically anglerfish) |
2006-09 | Quantification of the physical, environmental and ecological impact of towed demersal fishing gears (including demersal gears and scallop dredges) |
Since 2007 when the Scottish Industry Science Partnership (SISP) commenced, their gear related projects have been:
Catching performance of the GOV survey trawl
Effectiveness of separator grids in the mackerel fishery (research carried out by the NAFC Marine Centre)
Review of technical measures for Scottish mixed fisheries
Selectivity of North Sea Nephrops gear using 110-120mm square mesh panels
Selectivity of Nephrops gear using square mesh panels (SMPs) on small vessels on North Sea inshore grounds
Effect on selectivity of different mesh sizes and positions of square mesh panels for vessels of large and small horsepower
Cod avoidance using large meshes in the lower wings and belly of a whitefish trawl.
Conclusions
Summaries of research conclusions are reproduced on the Fisheries Research Services website (www.frs-scotland.gov.uk), along with downloadable copies of papers, reports and leaflets. Annual research highlights are included in the FRS Annual Reports and Accounts available on this site.