FSP project carried out on the otter trawl fishery for saithe in the northern
North Sea in autumn 2003. The project used two trips of a commercial stern
trawler, the FV Farnella between 18 September and 5 October. The work plan
involved otter trawling under dispensation from the quota regulations on
grounds chosen by the vessel skippers in consultation with CEFAS.
Total catches of all saithe, cod, and haddock were weighed and classified as
'discarded' or 'retained' according to advice from the fishing crew. Samples
of these species from most hauls were also measured individually to obtain
length frequency distributions. Otoliths were collected from 382 saithe and 22
cod.
