Case study 1.2: deep-water crustacean fishery, Portugal

Evaluating whether use of light technology and alternative fishing gear can improve catch efficiency and reduce by-catch in deep-water crustacean fisheries.

MINOUW partner & Lead scientist:

CCMAR (Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve), Margarida Castro

Fishing method and species:

Bottom otter trawl: 70 diamond mesh for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), two species of deep-water red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus and Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and the scarlet shrimp (Aristaeopis edwardsiana); 55 diamond mesh for Rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris).

What activities did the MINOUW project carry out?

• Evaluating if light technology can be used to reduce by-catch.
• Evaluating if light technology can be used to improve catch efficiency of Norway lobsters caught by alternative fishing gear (pots).
• Testing if catch efficiency of Norway lobsters caught alternative fishing gear (pots) be improved by changing soaking time.
• Testing if alternative fishing gear (pots) can be used to catch rose shrimp.
• Evaluating if light technology can be used as a lure in rose shrimp traps.

What outcomes were expected?

• To reduce by-catch produced by otter-trawling when targeting deep-water crustaceans;
• To improve the catch efficiency of alternative fishing gear (pots) when targeting deep-water crustaceans.

Results