2017 - 2017 Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) Cod End Mesh Size Trials in the SW Otter Trawl Fishery 2017/18 - Fisheries Science Partnership

Eleven days of sea trials comprising 40 tows were successfully completed on board the twin-rig otter trawler ‘Our Olivia Belle’ (BD277) in the Western English Channel in August 2017 allowing catch comparisons of cod end mesh sizes ranging from 48mm to 128mm stretched mesh with those of the standard 85mm stretched mesh. The main aim of the project was to evaluate the use of larger cod end mesh as a means of selectively reducing catches of haddock in the SW trawl fishery.