One device does not fit all: limited results of using a Sort-X grid in the multi-species trawl fishery in the Gulf of Cádiz

Published source details Gamaza M., Fonseca P., Campos A., Erzini K. & Sobrino I. (2018) One device does not fit all: limited results of using a Sort-X grid in the multi-species trawl fishery in the Gulf of Cádiz. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 25, 409-416.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use a different design or configuration of size-sorting escape grid/system in trawl fishing gear (bottom and mid-water) Action Link

Use a different design or configuration of size-sorting escape grid/system in trawl fishing gear (bottom and mid-water)

A replicated study in 2008 in an area of seabed in the Gulf of Cádiz, Atlantic Ocean, Spain (Gamaza et al. 2018) found that using a different configuration of size-sorting escape grid (increased bar spacing) in a multi-species trawl fishery improved the size-selectivity of European hake Merluccius merluccius. The length at which hake had a 50% chance of escaping through the grid increased with increasing grid bar spacing (50 mm: 42 cm, 40 mm: 36 cm, 30 mm: 30 cm, 25 mm: 27 cm). Data were collected in July–September 2008 from 282 trawl deployments (1–7 h) on four fishing vessels. The vessels fished using trawl nets fitted with a size-sorting grid system (Sort-X design) of one of four different grid bar spacings (50, 40, 30 and 25 mm). A small mesh (20 mm) cover attached over the grid collected fish escaping through the grid bars and a small mesh inner net in the codend collected larger fish retained by the grid (see original paper for gear specifications). The numbers, weights and lengths of hake in the covers and codends were recorded. At the time of study, minimum landing size for hake in the area was 27 cm.

(Summarised by: Natasha Taylor)