Results

The experimental 12” drop chain sweep with 24” headrope adjustment has proven to be functionally effective in retaining squid while significantly reducing the quantity of winter flounder bycatch as well as other demersal species. 

Winter flounder catch was significantly different between the control and treatment tows and the overall percent reduction in winter flounder catch from the 12” drop chain treatment was 78%. When all demersal species were pooled, there was a highly significant difference between the control and treatment that yielded a 76% reduction in catch by the 12" drop chain treatment. There was no significant difference in squid catch between the control net and the net modified with the 12" drop chain sweep. 

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