Uittreksel
Demersal trawl fisheries are known to produce large amounts of discards and to disturb the
seafloor habitat of benthic organisms. In order to increase the sustainability of these fisheries,
technical adaptations are necessary to avoid these problems. Electric pulse fields have proven to be
the most promising option for alternative stimulation in fishing gear, replacing the mechanical
stimulation. Since 2008 the Belgian ILVO research institute has been successfully testing their
Hovercran electropulse trawl for brown shrimp fishery. In this device the bobbin rope is replaced
by lightweight electrodes, creating a low-intensity electric field which selectively induces a startle
response in the shrimps. Other benthic organisms are left untouched and can escape underneath
the hovering trawl, which collects the jumping shrimps without disturbing the seabed.
Nevertheless, the effects of such an electric pulse field on marine organisms are largely unknown.
Preliminary exposure and survival experiments indicated that the use of this low-frequency pulse
has no immediate significant effects on most adult fish and invertebrate species. However,
electrosensitive fish, such as sharks and rays, and polychaete species were not included in these
studies. In addition, the influence on different life stages has never before been investigated;
electrofishing over active spawning grounds may affect the survival of embryos, larvae, or
juveniles if exposed during their more sensitive stages. To re-evaluate the standing ban on electric
fishing in Europe, recent research has been focused on filling these gaps in knowledge and
determining safety margins, enabling further development of and legislation on pulse fisheries
seafloor habitat of benthic organisms. In order to increase the sustainability of these fisheries,
technical adaptations are necessary to avoid these problems. Electric pulse fields have proven to be
the most promising option for alternative stimulation in fishing gear, replacing the mechanical
stimulation. Since 2008 the Belgian ILVO research institute has been successfully testing their
Hovercran electropulse trawl for brown shrimp fishery. In this device the bobbin rope is replaced
by lightweight electrodes, creating a low-intensity electric field which selectively induces a startle
response in the shrimps. Other benthic organisms are left untouched and can escape underneath
the hovering trawl, which collects the jumping shrimps without disturbing the seabed.
Nevertheless, the effects of such an electric pulse field on marine organisms are largely unknown.
Preliminary exposure and survival experiments indicated that the use of this low-frequency pulse
has no immediate significant effects on most adult fish and invertebrate species. However,
electrosensitive fish, such as sharks and rays, and polychaete species were not included in these
studies. In addition, the influence on different life stages has never before been investigated;
electrofishing over active spawning grounds may affect the survival of embryos, larvae, or
juveniles if exposed during their more sensitive stages. To re-evaluate the standing ban on electric
fishing in Europe, recent research has been focused on filling these gaps in knowledge and
determining safety margins, enabling further development of and legislation on pulse fisheries
| Taal | Engels |
|---|---|
| Aantal pagina's | 1 |
| Status | Gepubliceerd - sep-2012 |
| Evenement | ICES Annual Science Conference 2012 - Bergen, Noorwegen Duur: 17-sep-2012 → 21-sep-2012 |
Congres
| Congres | ICES Annual Science Conference 2012 |
|---|---|
| Land | Noorwegen |
| Stad | Bergen |
| Periode | 17/09/12 → 21/09/12 |