Using artificial light to improve the effectiveness of pots for gadoid fish along the coast of Norway.

 

MINOUW partner & Lead scientist:

IMR Havforskningsinstituttet (Institute of Marine Research) , Anne Christine Utne Palm

Fishing method and species:

Pots with light in addition to bait are tested as alternative to conventional fishing methods (trawl, longline, gillnet and seine fisheries). Species targeted is Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).

What is the discards problem?

The current fishing practices in the Norwegian coastal cod fishery use trawl, gilnet, longline and bottom set sein - all of which are low-selectivity fishing gear when compared to pots.

What activities is the MINOUW project carrying out?
  • Testing artificial light to increase the effectiveness of pots to catch gadoid species, as pots are more selective and are a low-impact alternative to current fishing practices along the Norwegian coast.
  • Studying the responses of krill (species, Meganyctiphanes Norvegica) to different light characteristics (intensity, wavelength, polarization).
  • Studying the responses of gadoids, in particular cod, to different light characteristics (intensity, wavelength, polarization).
  • Studying the responses of gadoids, in particular cod, to krill.
  • Compare the catch rates of gadoids, in particular cod, in baited pots without light, baited pots with artificial light and pots with artificial light only.
  • Additionally, assess if discard from pot’s have higher (80-90%) survival rates than fish caught by trawl, gilnett or longline.
What outcomes are expected?
  • Determine how artificial light can be used to trigger gadoids (e.g. cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) saithe (Pollachius virens), whiting (Merlangius merlangus)) to enter fish pots, and make the pots a more efficient fishing method.
Results

Using artificial light in pots gives increased catch rates
of Atlantic Cod because the light attracts dense swarms of krill, their prey. This maymake pots a viable alternative to traditional fishing gears that are less environmental friendly, with higher rates of discards.

For a full summary of results download the PDF here: (637kb)