CodSELect project Twin Trawl Catch Comparison

Descriptions

Marine Directorate (MD) - Marine Laboratory is to carry out charter trials to assess the effect of artificial light in the bottom panel of a SELTRA box in reducing the catch of cod from Nephrops trawls. This requirement is solely for vessels in a PO (membership of a Producer Organisation). Vessels can retain and sell their catch taking it off the quotas allocated to the PO. A daily rate should be given for 7 days at sea with an additional reduced rate covering a period of 12 hours before and after the trials for rigging and derigging the vessel in port. The charter trial will run for a 7 day period between Mid-August and start of October 2023 and commence and end at Peterhead or Fraserburgh. The intention is to target Nephrops grounds in the North Sea with cod being the main target species, but haddock, whiting, saithe, monkfish, megrim and Nephrops will also be sampled during the survey. Up to three scientific staff will participate during the trials.