A trial undertaken to evaluate the performance of a 120mm square mesh panel
(SMP) recently regulated in the Celtic Sea for TR1 and TR2 otter trawlers. The
use of this gear modification has been mandatory in ICES areas VIIf, g and
northern VIIj since 2015. The trial, commissioned and funded from the Defra
Fisheries Science Partnership programme to meet the UK commitments made at the
EU December Council meetings in 2014, was to assess improvements in
selectivity using the larger mesh SMP, particularly for haddock and cod, in
the context of the landing obligation, and to determine the potential economic
consequences of using this gear design.
