Photo courtesy from FHF
Compilation of knowledge for pelagic/semi-pelagic trawling for cod fish
(NORWAY, 11/17/2022)
Fishing with pelagic trawls (floating trawls) in the Barents Sea (north of 64o N) was banned over 40 years ago. Changes in fleet and operating structure, changed quota basis, together with demands for cost-effective fishing without too large a climate footprint, lead to demand for changes to trawl technology in Norway.
Cod, haddock and pollock are largely fished with bottom trawls in the sea fishing fleet. Over the past 20 years, bottom trawl technology has been developed into a double trawl arrangement for fishing trawls, and the size of modern trawlers requires considerable machine power. The technology, which entails both relatively large climate emissions and stress on benthic fauna from the trawl fleet, is under constant criticism. This project was initiated to obtain a knowledge base to simplify the process of searching for basic information for the selection of technical solutions.
Opening will be able to provide environmental benefits
This report has been compiled from input from business operators with experience from fishing with bottom pelagic and semi-pelagic trawls in Norwegian waters. Several of the users, partly supported by research reports, believe that it is justifiable to allow the use of pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls in fishing for cod, haddock and pollock north of 64°N and that the principle of free choice of gear should apply. This is justified by the fact that fuel costs per kilogram of fish are reduced, damage to benthic fauna is avoided and by-catch of unwanted species is avoided. All in all, fishing becomes more rational.
Other fishermen express skepticism about free choice of gear and believe that the use of pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls should be tested to a greater extent over several seasons before a final conclusion is drawn. Challenges in avoiding undersized cod are particularly pointed out. Several research reports show that pelagic trawling for cod and haddock in northern waters has produced highly variable results. Opening up the possibility of using pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls will provide an environmental benefit in the form of lower fuel consumption and less wear and tear on the gear and a reduction in marine litter. Several actors specify that an opening for pelagic/semi-pelagic trawl fishing must not lead to a ban on bottom trawling.
Normal trawling where the catch is taken directly on board (a) and buffer trawling (b) (Brinkhof et al., 2018b).(Imagen: UiT – The Arctic University of Norway)
Conclusion and recommendations from the project
- A further dispensation is granted from the ban on the use of pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls in fishing for codfish (cod, haddock and pollock) north of 64°N.
- Carry out controlled trials to document time and energy consumption per kilogram of fish using pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls.
- New trials are carried out at different times of the year to map selection characteristics in pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls on the species cod, haddock and pollock. Selection and catch limitation must have a special focus.
- It would be desirable to survey the quality of fish caught with pelagic/semi-pelagic trawls (external/internal crush injuries, barotrauma, etc.)
FHF believes that the results provide a good basis for the industry and management to introduce measures that contribute to improving bottom impact and energy consumption in bottom trawls.
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Oslo
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