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In western boundary current systems, strong currents transport oligotrophic oceanic waters towards the coast. Thaliaceans may have an advantage in these systems due their ability to filter small particles such as the bacterioplankton, typically responsible for the primary production in oligotrophic waters. Here, we evaluated the structure of the thaliacean community present in the tropical South Atlantic Ocean western boundary current system to test the hypothesis that species distribution and abundance are structured by the circulation and thermohaline features. For that purpose, we used data collected though 40 mm mesopelagic trawls above the slope and around oceanic seamounts and islands. Results reveal distinct patterns in the thaliacean community structure. Over the continental slope, under the influence of the strong North Brazilian Undercurrent, Pyrosoma atlanticum was highly abundant. Soestia zonaria was also present but in a lesser amount. Offshore, around oceanic islands and Seamounts under the influence of the central branch of South Equatorial Current, Doliolida spp. were the dominant thaliacean, co-occurring with P. atlanticum in lower abundance. Mesh selectivity is a potential drawback in these results since the coarse aperture may have lost smaller species and early life stages.

This study assessed catch composition, size selectivity, and fishing efficiency of demersal trawls targeting penaeid shrimp species in the Red Sea. It first compared the currently used diamond mesh codends in two fishing areas, Al Qunfudhah and Jazan, and then compared alternative square mesh codends to diamond mesh codends in Jazan. A total of 33 valid hauls were conducted in 2023, yielding 10,869 kg of total catch. The results showed that the square mesh codend significantly improved size selectivity, particularly for Penaeus semisulcatus and Metapenaeus monoceros, with L50 (50% retention length) values closer to their size at first maturity. The fishing efficiency indicators revealed a reduced retention probability for undersized individuals with square mesh codends. Additionally, bycatch discard rates decreased, indicating potential benefits for ecosystem conservation. This study suggests incorporating square mesh codends into fishery management regulations to enhance size selectivity and reduce bycatch during Red Sea shrimp trawling. Establishing a legal minimum landing size requirement is recommended to complement these efforts and promote sustainable fishing practices.

This study aimed to evaluate the mesh selectivity of gillnets used in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) fishing by examining the distribution of total length (TL) across various mesh sizes. A marine fishing experiment was conducted at Gajin Harbor in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, employing experimental gear with four different mesh sizes: 90, 105, 135, and 150 mm. Mesh selectivity analysis involved a comparative assessment of selectivity curve methods through normal, log-normal, and bi-normal functions. Among these, the bi-normal function demonstrated the best fit for estimating the mesh selectivity curve within the SELECT model. The critical finding was the net size at which 50% of the minimum landing size (35 cm in TL) of olive flounder was selected, ranging from 108.7 to 121.1 mm. According to the bi-normal function curve, this size was estimated as 114.0 mm. Our findings indicate that using a mesh size larger than the theoretically estimated size in mesh selectivity analysis can further decrease the catch of immature individuals. These findings provide essential data for devising strategies to efficiently utilize and manage olive flounder resources.

The National Institute of Fisheries Science in Korea is developing marine mammal bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for midwater trawl gear. In this study, we tested two BRD-type guide nets (inclined net panel) with 30° and 45° tilt angles to prevent marine mammals from reaching the codend and facilitating their escape from the net. Fishing operations were conducted along the east and south coasts of South Korea, and cameras were installed in front of the BRDs to monitor their performance. The catch loss of herring with the 30° guide net was 13% and 11% in number and weight. The catch loss of hairtail was 53% and 51% in number and weight with the 30° guide net. Mackerel showed a 97% catch loss in number and weight with the 45° guide net. The 30° guide net resulted in lower catch loss for rudderfish and jack mackerel compared to the 45° guide net. The jellyfish discard rate of the BRD was 5% and 7% in number and weight with the 30° guide net and 12% and 11% with the 45° guide net, indicating that the 30° guide net was more effective at discarding jellyfish. Mesh selectivity was not strongly related to target species body length.

The National Institute of Fisheries Science in Korea is developing marine mammal bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for high-risk fishing gear, such as trawls. We experimented with two BRD types (guiding nets) attached in front of codend at 30° and 45° angles, and catch losses and mesh size selectivity were investigated. Experimental fishing operations were conducted along the East Coast of South Korea where whales and dolphins are commonly sighted. The catch was classified according to fishing location, BRD type, codend, and covernet, with measurements recorded for body length, maximum girth, and weight. The average selectivity for each haul was analyzed using the ‘selfisher’ package. The catch loss rates with the BRD attached at tilt angles of 30° and 45° were 11% and 29% for common flying squid, 6% and 28% for sailfin sandfish, and 5% and 8% for pearlside. While the mesh selectivity rates for common flying squid and pearlside remained at 0.2–0.5 across all lengths and tilt angles, the mesh selectivity curve for sailfin sandfish was estimated. There were significant differences in catch loss between 30° and 45° angles, with the 30° angle being more effective in catch loss. We observed a masking effect in the codend.

Summary Length–weight relationships were determined for two small indigenous cyprinid fishes: Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822) and Salmophasia phulo (Hamilton, 1822) collected from Panchet reservoir, Damodar River, India. About 143 specimens of Osteobrama cotio (5.2–10.4 cm TL) and 113 specimens of Salmophasia phulo (2.9–8.2 cm TL) were collected from November 2014 to June 2016 using gillnets of mesh size ranging from 25 to 120 mm (STR) and dragnets of mesh size 10–20 mm (STR). No previous information on LWRs for these two species from an Indian reservoir was available in the literature.

The Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) plays a very significant role in the Baltic Sea ecosystem being the major fish top predator and the most important commercial species for the Baltic Sea fishing industry. Consequently the management and understanding of the exploitation pattern of the stock is of major importance. Technical regulations, improving the selectivity of cod, have been a major management strategy and the Baltic Sea is likely to be the area where most fishing gear selectivity studies, focussing on size selectivity, have been conducted over time. The methodology for conducting and analysing selectivity data has been significantly improved in recent years. The subject is reviewed since the choice of methodology can have a significant effect on the interpretation of the outcome of selectivity experiments. Factors affecting the selectivity of trawl and gill nets are considered. Alternative ways to improve the size and species selectivity of trawls using selective devices are reviewed. Selectivity parameters from available literature are listed and the correlations of selectivity parameters to the mesh size for different gears are estimated. The historical legislation on selectivity is reviewed and the expected selectivity for trawls is estimated. Management considerations concerning the mortality of escaping and discarded fish and wider management impacts have to be considered if improving selectivity. The review is ended by conclusions including reflections on needed research in the future.

Summary This paper presents length–weight relationships (LWR) for 11 freshwater fish species from the Sapucaí‐Mirim River, a tributary of the Grande River basin, São Paulo, Brazil. The specimens were captured in quarterly samplings between March 2011 and December 2014, using gillnets of mesh size: 1.5–9.0 cm between knots. The present study adds new information for the maximum length of seven species, and presents new LWR records for four species.

Comparative fishing experiments were carried out in 2010 using tube traps with five hole diameters (8, 15, 18, 20 and 22 mm) to establish the size selectivity of escape holes for white-spotted conger. Selectivity and split parameters of the SELECT model were calculated using the estimated-split and equal-spilt model. From likelihood ratio tests and AIC (Akaike’s Information Criterion) values, the estimated-split model was selected as the best-fit model. Size selectivity of escape holes in the tube traps was expressed as a logistic curve, similar to mesh selectivity. The 50% selection length of white-spotted conger in the estimated-split model was 28.26, 33.35, 39.31 and 47.30 cm for escape-hole diameters of 15, 18, 20 and 22 mm, respectively. The optimum escape-hole size is discussed with respect to management of the white-spotted conger fishery. The results indicate that tube traps with escape holes of 18 mm in diameter would benefit this fishery.

Cod-ends are the rearmost part of trawl fishing gears. They collect the catch, and for many important species it is where fish selection takes place. Generally speaking they are axisymmetric, and their shape is influenced by the catch volume, the mesh shape, and the material characteristics. The shape of cod-ends is of importance as it determines mesh opening and consequently influences the selectivity of fish from the cod-end. Selectivity is the process whereby a gear retains large fish and releases small ones. In recent years, as many fish stocks have become more threatened, understanding the selectivity process has become more important. This paper presents a model of the deformation of an axisymmetric cod-end. The twine tension and the catch pressure acting on the knots of each mesh along the cod-end profile are calculated, and a Newton—Raphson scheme is used to estimate the equilibrium position of the netting. The software package developed to solve this problem is freely available. Comparisons are carried out with a previous model and experimental data.