Gillnet Possibilities CharacteristicPurposeEffectiveness Mesh sizeBigger mesh = bigger fishWell-established locally Headline heightLower nets catch fewer codWell-established locally Footrope heightCatch fewer flatfishSuccessful in Norway; not successful here Hanging ratioChange species mixSuccessful elsewhere; undocumented here Twine colorChange species mixSome evidence from fishing Twine diameterChange species mixKnown, but not documented locally When and whereAvoid unwanted fishKnown, but not documented What else?

Hook Possibilities CharacteristicPurposeEffectiveness Bait typeChange species mixWell-documented, including here Norbait 700E reduces cod catch Cod prefer clams Bait sizeChange fish size Bait shape Hook sizeBigger hook = bigger fishKnown, but not locally Hook designHard to standardize Where and whenCatch haddock, avoid codWell-established – SAP GangionsTub gear v. snap gear? Height off-bottom What else?

Codend Catch sensors Ongoing GMRI project: Are codend catch sensors a practical operational tool for sector quota management? (Funded by NOAA CRP in 2009) Codend Catch Sensor – Positioned on the codend – Spring activated switch – Measures expansion of the codend mesh – Signal when a predetermined volume has entered the codend Key goal: Provide commercial fishermen an opportunity to gain knowledge and evaluate codend catch sensor systems

Gear efficiency Minimize fuel consumption – Measurement of gear drag & fuel consumption – Modification of existing gear – Large-mesh trawls – Semi-pelagic otter boards – Reduce seabed impact – Alternate fishing gear – Energy audits

Trawl Possibilities CharacteristicPurposeEffectiveness Semi-pelagic trawlMay have potential for some species (e.g. redfish) Need to test locally Short bridle/ground cable Good for reducing flatfish catch Known, need further documentation Floating bridle/ground cable May reduce flatfish, not sure for roundfish Planned for testing in the spring/summer Square mesh window/large mesh window Reduce juvenilesOne form in use on Georges Topless trawlsMore flatfish, fewer codOne form in use on Georges Footrope heightPossibly catch fewer flatfish and cod Some work locally Headline heightMay reduce haddock/codSome work locally Separator trawlCatch haddock in upper codend, flatfish in the lower codend, more difficult for cod Some work here, being used

Trawl Possibilities 2 CharacteristicPurposeEffectiveness Ruhle trawl (large meshes in front) Good for haddockWorks well in large vessel, need to demonstrate in smaller vessel/net Rope separator trawl Good for haddockWork well in inshore/small vessel, planned to test in offshore/large vessel GridSeparate sizes of fish/reduce small fish Tested in Europe, need to test locally GridSpecies separationTested in Europe, need to test locally Codend mesh sizeBigger mesh = bigger fishWell-established locally Codend mesh shape Different effect for roundfish and flatfish Well-established locally When and whereAvoid unwanted fishKnown, some documentation, more work needed, successful in Scallop fishery What else?