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An observation trip aboard a Lowestoft based vessel currently involved in multi-rig trawling.

A report on the findings of a 39ft Whitby vessel, MFV Gannet, chartered for 15 fishing days and fitted with equipment for the purpose of monofilament longlining during three weeks of trials.

A report on the results of two vessels used in pair trawling for the first time.

Commerical Fishing Trials of a Twin Rig Trawling System.

Examining the current status of Cornish gill nets fisheries and set net fisheries.

This report details the practicalities of attachment, deployment and testing of pingers.

These trials assessed and quantified both the selectivity of tangle nets and the loss of quality that can occur through excessive soak times.

Methods of transportation for scallops

This report describes the comparison between three different mesh sizes of cod end in order to assess selectivity criteria. The cod ends were 90 mm x 120 meshes, 90 mm x 100 meshes, 110 mm x 100 meshes. All were diamond mesh configurations. The results showed small increases in the L.50 characteristics but overall the discard rates for each cod end were comparable. The trials were carried out with and without a small mesh cod end cover. This report has been produced from a scanned original and may therefore contain some formatting and other inaccuracies. In cases where this affects the technical content, a paper copy of the original report can still be obtained from Seafish.

This report describes and investigation into the phenomenon of 'ghost fishing' by shellfish traps. Ghost fishing can occur when fishing gear is lost from the control of its owner and continues to produce fishing mortality.

A report on a Pair Seining Trip on M.F.V. "Avoca" and "Millwood".

A report on a shrimp separator trawl for the Southeast Fisheries.

Gear database resource: Report on selectivity trials of seine net codends on MFV Kestrel

The work described in this report is part of an ongoing programme aimed at optimising whitefish selectivity through the more effective use of technical conservation measures, by-catch reduction devices (BRDs).

The work covered in this report is part of a three-year project aimed at reducing roundfish bycatches in UK Nephrops fisheries.

Instrumentation Trials of a Hard Ground Rockhopper Trawl

This study aims to examine the transport chain between 2-3 main fishing areas in the UK (Orkney, the Western Isles and East Coast-Northumberland) and the main market for velvet crabs, which is in Spain.

An Investigation of the Performance of the Tangle Nets used off North Cornwall.

Tangle Net Fishery for Spider Crabs.

Preliminary study of the relative fishery impacts on non-tuna species caught in various tuna fisheries.

A description of the biology of the Spider Crab is given. This is a trials narrative covering 10 days of fishing with tangle nets in the English Channel. Handling practices are described along with a short narrative on marketing. This report has been produced from a scanned original and may therefore contain some formatting and other inaccuracies. In cases where this affects the technical content, a paper copy of the original report can still be obtained from Seafish.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during July to September 2022.

A Comparison of the Quad-rig and Twin-rig Trawl in the Nephrops Fishery

Interactions between Bottlenose Dolphin and Midwater Pair Trawls: Effect of Pingers on Dolphin Behaviour

The Effect of Icing on the Quality of Trawled Whole Nephrops.

This work was part of the UK’s Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP).

This is a short report prepared by Seafish to inform the UK Government about energy use and cost pressures within the UK seafood processing sector.

In 2009–10, an innovative partnership between scientists and Devon beam trawlermen – nicknamed ‘Project 50%’ – was set-up with an aim to help to protect fish stocks by reducing the amount of juvenile fish discarded overboard by over 50%.

This report describes work carried out on the North coast of Devon trialling a long line system using a range of artificial lures for bass; its evolution from conception to a full commercial application.

2021 Northern Ireland Small Port Infrastructure Survey Investigation into infrastructure and facilities at Northern Ireland landing locations that have a commercial fishing presence.

This project aimed to compare catch compositions between Quad and Twinrig trawls to further investigate the performance of the Quad-rig in the Celtic Sea.

David Camp, Association of Labour Providers spoke about seasonal worker approaches and developments in agriculture. This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. If needed please request an accessible format.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during January to March 2022.

The study was managed by officials from DARD, ANIFPO including the owners of the vessels engaged in the study and AFBI who carried out scientific monitoring of the pilot fishery. With the introduction of the Irish Sea cod recovery programme and its associated temporary sea area closures, several Northern Irish fishing vessels were displaced. They were encouraged to find sustainable alternatives to complete their annual fishing plans. Amongst the fishing vessels affected were four small (under 12 metre) vessels, which had traditionally targeted cod using gill-nets. The closure effectively stopped this fishery. As a result the four vessels, like many of their larger colleagues diversified into the Nephrops fishery using trawls. However, with the increasing costs of fuel and other overheads, combined with reductions in the landed price for Nephrops, the owners of the four vessels, together with the ANIFPO, decided to investigate alternative fishing opportunities. Following internal discussion, and with DARD’s Sea Fisheries Division, an application for funding was submitted to allow sea trials in the “open Irish Sea”, to examine the practicalities of using pots/creels to catch Nephrops. While creels were used in Strangford Lough, and other similar Loughs around Scotland, the possibility of using creels in areas traditionally trawled had not been investigated.

A report on the trials held to assess whether whitefish by-catch could be reduced in the Nephrops trawl fishery by using low headline Nephrops trawls.

This report provides data for Gear trials, which were performed on the Net Grid by Cefas and the crew of the MFV Avocet in May and June 2012.

Gear database resource: Report on project looking at implementation of more selective and sustainable fisheries funded by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Design and model test of a semi-pelagic shrimp trawl for the pink shrimp fishery.

A report on a pair of catch comparison trials conducted in the North Sea to compare a standard Nephrops scraper trawl with the Flip Flap Netting Grid (FFG).

Gear database resource: Summary report of Gear Trials in Demersal Fisheries V1a

This report describes the key findings for the assessment of T90 mesh in a fishery targeting whiting in the Celtic Sea.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during October to December 2021.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during April to June 2022.

A report on the comparative fishing for Flatfish using a Beam Trawl fitted with electric ticklers.

Preliminary trials of a new scallop dredge in the Isle of Man.

This paper describes the measures that have been taken and the plans for the near future to keep the beam trawl fishery profitable in the short to medium term.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during April to June 2021.

The latest exercise conducted under this programme has concentrated on a slightly different approach to the preceding work on by-catch reduction devices.

A report on catch comparison trials conducted in the North Sea to evaluate the Faithlie Cod Avoidance Panel.

Fisheries Research Services Internal Report No. 01/07

The effect of large mesh top panels on the catch rates of sole, plaice, cod and whiting.

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of different haul distances of a cod end beach seine on the catchability of fish in a surf zone.

Investigation into infrastructure and facilities at Northern Ireland landing locations that have a commercial fishing presence.

Summary report of Gear Trials to Support Ireland’s Submission under Articles 11 & 13 of Reg. 1342/2008 Nephrops Fisheries VIIa & VIIb-k

Seafish Coverless Prawn Trawl Design & Construction Guidance Notes.

This report takes a high-level view of the whole of the seafood supply chain to explore factors impacting UK seafood markets, seafood business operations and consumer behaviour during July to September 2021.

This paper describes a series of tests conducted in the SINTEF Flume Tank with different designs and constructions of codends.

This paper describes the results of comparative fishing trials, under commercial conditions, using a standard trawl and a separator traw. The target species in the fishing area were cod, haddock, whiting, lemon sole and plaice. The separator trawl was fitted with a 120mm lower codend; the upper codend and that on this standard net were 100mm. The trials involved about 90 paired tows over a period of 10 weeks. This report has been produced from a scanned original and may therefore contain some formatting and other inaccuracies. In cases where this affects the technical content, a paper copy of the original report can still be obtained from Seafish.

The impact of beach-seine netting on the benthic flora and fauna of False Bay, South Africa.

Dredged scallops are known to contain ‘grit’ in the form of sand, silt, mud or broken shell. Although washed out in processing, this contamination limits the marketability of these scallops as a ‘live’ product and detracts from their value in comparison with scallops landed by divers. The initial part of this work has confirmed the considerable extent of grit contamination of commercially harvested scallops and that it is effectively removed in the production of a processed product by shucking and washing the meat, but it has also shown that the eating quality of ‘gritty’ scallops deteriorates rapidly if held unprocessed in the shell. This report has been produced from a scanned original and may therefore contain some formatting and other inaccuracies. In cases where this affects the technical content, a paper copy of the original report can still be obtained from Seafish.

Gear database resource: Scottish Industry Science Partnership Report on West coast fishery trials of a twin rig Nephrops trawl incorporating a large mesh top sheet

Gear database resource: Final report on technical conservation trials in the Northern Ireland Nephrops Fishery

The main aims in conducting this UK Gear Trial Review were to: 1) conduct a strategic evaluation of past UK gear trials projects; and 2) use the findings to help inform the relevant, effective and efficient delivery of future work in this area.

The spawning of king scallop, Pecten maximus, in Welsh waters – A preliminary study.

A report of the first meeting in the ICES Study Group on Turned 90° Codend Selectivity, focusing on Baltic Cod Selectivity (SGTCOD), May 2009.

This report presents a snapshot of employment in the UK fishing fleet from a sample of 788 workers taken in summer 2021.

The Working Group on Electrical Trawling (WGELECTRA) met in Ostend, Belgium from 21–23 October 2014 to review knowledge of the effects of electrical fishing on the marine environment. This is the report of those findings and suggested recommendations.

This report details sea trials undertaken in 2021, comparing the performance of the Sumwing beam trawl to that of a traditional beam trawl.

Candian Pair Seining Experiment 1969

This paper presents experiments with modified beam trawls aimed at reducing discard rates and direct mortality of benthic in-fauna and epi-fauna without affecting the level of landings.

This Seafish/MCCIP watching brief report considers recent advances in scientific understanding and industry experience of climate change drivers and impacts in 2020 and 2021. It includes feedback from industry stakeholders on adaptation actions.

By-catch reducing trawls in the North East Atlantic fisheries - the contribution by the University of Tromsö.

A snapshot of the large scale tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets as of June 2017.

Gear database resource: Scottish Industry Science Partnership Review of technical measures for Scottish mixed demersal fisheries

Efficiency and environmental impacts of three different Queen scallop fishing gears.

Escape gaps for velvet crabs (Necora puber); stock and economic benefits for the catching sector

A report on the research results and knowledge gaps of flatfish pulse fishing.

The feasibility and costs of alternative fishing methods.

This report is intended as a support document to the UK Economic Fleet Estimates and Seafish Fleet Enquiry Tool in Tableau which contains data on the size, structure and economic performance of the UK catching sector.

Seafish was invited to take part in a BIM sea trial to test two different hook-and-line methods for catching Atlantic albacore tuna in the Bay of Biscay: by surface longline and by trolling with lures.

Assessment of Stress and Mortality of the Prawn During Live Handling from Vessel to Market.

JPG image featuring graph (1) of 2021 Northern Ireland Small Port Infrastructure Survey results

JPG image featuring graph (2) of 2021 Northern Ireland Small Port Infrastructure Survey results

JPG image featuring graph (3) of 2021 Northern Ireland Small Port Infrastructure Survey results

There is a recognised problem surrounding the issue of discarding whitefish in the Farne Deeps Nephrops fishery. Both local fishermen and DEFRA are aware of the need to make changes to current operations and are committed to reducing discards while encouraging the take up of technical conservation methods. This project explores the potential for reducing the fishing effort on cod, haddock and whiting by increasing the earning potential for the Nephrops catch component with a live (tubed) landing regime. Overall, this project was an industry lead responsible fishing initiative leading to a more sustainable fishery. ^Keywords: Nephrops, Farne Deeps, whitefish discard reduction, sustainable fishery

The aim of the project was to provide beam trawl fishermen with a practical and efficient means of reducing impact on the seabed, reducing discards, improving selectivity and reducing fuel consumption figures via a ‘Rollerball’ ground gear design.

Report on research commissioned by Seafish to inform its planned development of a training and guidance programme to support aquaculture

Gear database resource: Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol6 No3 on effects of codend mesh size and twine number on nephrops selectivity

This Marine Scotland Science Report is a series of reports that publish the results of research and monitoring carried out by Marine Scotland Science. These reports are not subject to formal external peer-review.

Contribution of tooth spacing, mesh size and ring size; Part I West of Scotland sea trials.

Report of the Study Group on Turned 90° Codend Selectivity, focusing on Baltic Cod Selectivity (SGTCOD), September 2010.

Assessment of an increase in cod-end mesh size in the Irish Sea Nephrops fishery

The report presents economic estimates at UK, home nation and fleet segment level for the UK fishing fleet. The estimates are calculated based on samples of fishing costs and earnings gathered by Seafish as part of the 2019 Annual Fleet Economic Survey

This report is prepared by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute; in collaboration with the State Department of Fisheries. The World Bank through Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP) funded the production of the report.

Report of Fishing Industry Science Alliance (FISA) Project 03/13

Review of king scallop dredge designs and impacts, legislation and potential conflicts with offshore wind farms.

A report of the third meeting of the ICES Study Group on Turned 90° Codend Selectivity, focusing on Baltic Cod Selectivity (SGTCOD), May 2011.

A global and UK supply chain analysis of Yellowfin tuna.

During the past decade, total squid landings from the NE Atlantic ranged from 10,000– 18,000 t. The bulk of European catches were landed by French, Portuguese, Spanish and UK fleets. Loligo forbesi is the most frequently caught species in UK waters, and forms the basis of significant by-catch fisheries, with annual landings as high as 3,500 t. A significant proportion (5–70%) of the total Scottish squid landings are caught in the Moray Firth, where a seasonal, directed fishery operates during summer-autumn. The size of the fleet directly involved in this fishery has ranged from 20–65 vessels in recent years. Many of the fishing crews target squid for several weeks, when large numbers of small squid recruit to the fishery.

The report presents economic estimates at UK, home nation and fleet segment level for the UK fishing fleet. The estimates are calculated based on samples of fishing costs and earnings gathered by Seafish as part of the 2020 Annual Fleet Economic Survey.

This report considers the role that fishing and aquaculture play in maintaining and enhancing shellfish ecosystem services and delivering public goods and benefits. The relevance of this to future marine policy development is also considered.

The aim of the project was to demonstrate an alternative fishing method commonly known as Outrigger trawling. This involved replacing the heavy beam trawls which are normally towed by the vessel with two demersal trawls, each trawl spread with its own set of trawl doors and towed from the derricks. This change alone will have a significant impact on bottom and gear drag. The steady increase in fuel prices was another driver for the fleet to look at alternatives to beam trawling. By adopting the outrigger fishing method vessels can reduce their fuel consumption enabling increased profitability and a reduction in environmental impact.

Commercial proving trials of a new prawn trawl design.

This study details the practicalities of attachment, deployment and testing of acoustic deterrents (porpoise pingers) within the Celtic sea gill net fishery.

This report describes an assessment of the ecological effects of commercial fishing in waters off Southwest England (ICES Divisions VII e,f,g & h).

Sodium metabisulphite has been used in the UK fishing industry for many years to control the effects of melanotic blackening in prawns (Nephrops norvegicus). Recent requirements for allergen labelling and court cases resulting from high levels of sulphite residue have prompted interest to secure alternative treatments to control melanosis. Further motivation has come from the highly corrosive nature of sodium metabisulphite. This causes extensive damage to vessels and processing equipment and has serious operational health and safety issues. A number of treatments were trialled in a commercial environment to determine a viable alternative to sodium metabisulphite. Prawns were treated at sea and then assessed for shelf life and sulphite residue by processors in NE Scotland. 5 treatments were competitive with sodium metabisulphite, these include sulphite based and non sulphite based treatments. As such, vessels and factories are provided with a variety of treatment options depending on their own product requirements. Alternative sulphite based treatments exhibit reduced operational hazards and lower sulphite residues in the tail meat while selected non sulphite based treatments are classified as ‘processing aids’ and are exempt from any form of food additive labelling.

A review and assessment of fishing gear design.

This report has been funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in the frame of the project “Ökologisch verträgliche Krabbenfischerei” – “Sustainable brown shrimp fishery” (FKZ 3512 85 0400).

This study examines the various issues associated with promoting pole-and-line fishing and attempts to derive lessons from experience that may guide future development efforts.

A report on the Study Group on Electrical Trawling (SGELECTRA).

This report presents economic estimates at UK, home nation and fleet segment level for the UK fishing fleet. The estimates are calculated based on samples of fishing costs and earnings gathered by Seafish as part of the 2021 Annual Fleet Economic Survey.

The document is a report of an expert group under the auspices of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and does not necessarily represent the views of the Council.

A report of the Study Group on Electrical Trawling (SGELECTRA).

This report reviews the impacts of underwater noise, vibration, and electro-magnetic fields generated by marine renewable energy devices on the behaviour, development and physiology of UK commercial crustacean species.

Since 1987 the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) fleet has towed double rigs (two nets). Prior to this most trawlers towed quad rig (four nets). To improve economic efficiency in the fishery there is great interest to again allow the use of quad rig.

Report on the Current State of Driftnet Fisheries in the UK.

The Shellfish Stakeholder Working Group (SSWG) commissioned Seafish to undertake a review of the application of the Official Control Regulations that apply to live bivalve production in EU Member States, with a focus on the microbial requirements.

A collaborative extension program by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, SeaNet and Ecofish for the development and adoption of square mesh codends in select prawn and scallop trawl fisheries in Queensland.