Further study of the use of large mesh in the belly of a whiting trawl to reduce flounders and cod.

(Funded by the Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program)

Project Summary

This project will conduct technology transfer and further research on an alternative whiting trawl with large mesh belly windows (LMBWs) which was successfully tested in Southern New England in the 1990s by Milliken and DeAlteris (2004). The objectives are to evaluate its suitability in the Maine coast as well as to test some alternative designs. The project is to demonstrate if a whiting trawl, without using long 42” drop chain and bare chain sweep as currently required, can be designed to meet the conservation requirement of less than 5% regulated groundfish bycatch. The project will incorporate underwater fish behavioral observations and comparative fishing trials on board an industry vessel.