Studies on Selectivity of Penaeids in Two-Seam over Hang Trawl with and without Square Mesh Panels in Cod End and Forward Part of Upper Belly

Abstract

Studies on selectivity of penaeids were carried out by comparing the catches of the conventional two-seam overhang trawl with that of experimental two-seam overhang trawl having square mesh panels of 45 mm mesh size in the forward part of upper belly and 28 mm mesh size in the cod end. Alternate trawling technique was used by maintaining similarity in towing direction, towing duration, speed and depth of operation to minimize possible errors between the trawls. The results revealed that the experimental trawl caught less quantity of juvenile penaeids than that of conventional trawl having diamond mesh webbing in the body and the cod end. The by-catch was also reduced considerably indicating that the new gear would be helpful for the better management of penaeids resources.