Publication Abstract

Determination of gill-net selectivity for bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) using commercial catch data

E.G. Reis and M.G. Pawson

The object of this study was to determine a method of estimating the selectivity of gill nets for which catch data are available for only a few mesh sizes. A model inferring retention from girth measurements of fish and mesh dimension, but which is independent of catch data, resulted in wide selectivity curves, which could not be used to predict the mesh size which would most efficiently catch fish in a particular length range. Methods utilising observed frequency distributions of the ratio between mesh perimeter and fish length or girth provided good fits between the catch and selectivity curves for the mesh sizes most used in a bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fishery. The role and usefulness of these selectivity models in the management of gill-net fisheries is discussed.

Reference:

E.G. Reis and M.G. Pawson, 1992. Determination of gill-net selectivity for bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) using commercial catch data. Fisheries Research, 13: 173-187.