Two Trawl Gear Modifications to Reduce Winter Flounder Bycatch in the Southern New England Whiting Fishery

A cooperative research project was developed to test and evaluate the effectiveness of two different trawl gear modifications to reduce winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) bycatch in the small mesh whiting (Merluccius bilinearis) fishery in Southern New England. Both a 12” drop chain sweep and a large mesh belly panel were tested separately on a standard otter trawl. Winter flounder stocks have been identified as reduced in abundance and the species is often found as bycatch in the small mesh whiting fishery.   

Two similar boats were used to tow side-by side, one with the experimental net, and the other with the control net. A total of 36 paired tows were conducted for each gear modification. Data analysis showed that compared to the control net, neither experimental net caused a significant reduction in the harvest of whiting. Both experimental nets did significantly reduce the amount of winter flounder bycatch compared to the control net. The experimental nets also significantly reduced the capture of other demersal species compared to the control net. It is evident in the data that both experimental nets are effective at retaining whiting and reducing winter flounder, total demersals, and many other species of bycatch.