The Belgian beam trawl mixed-species fishery is associated with high bycatch and discard rates.
Research on the effects of Square Mesh Panels (SMPs) and artificial light to improve the size selectivity
of demersal trawls are important to consider, especially since catches must comply with the minimum
landing size. This study was conducted during five fishing campaigns operating with comparative fishing
trials. The influence of artificial illumination on the escape rates of undersized species was tested by
placing a LED on a SMP located in either the upper panel (DRP) or the lower panel (BRP). Results
showed that undersized common dab, common sole, european plaice, pouting and whiting escaped
significantly more through the BRP than the DRP. Moreover, illuminated BRPs were found to enhance the
undersized fish escapes. Plaice displayed the best outcomes with 28.5% less undersized plaice caught in
the illuminated nets and with 75% more undersized plaice that escaped through the illuminated BRP. No
significant losses of valuable commercial catches were detected, indicating that the combination of fitting
a LED on a BRP does not affect the fishery profitability while increasing escape of undersized fish.
KEYWORDS: Selectivity, beam trawl, artificial light, SMP, bycatch, flatfish.
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