The behavioral response of juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) to shrimp trawls that utilize water flow modifications to induce escapement
Engaas, A.; Foster, D.; Hataway, B.D.; Watson, J.W.; Workman, I. (1999). The behavioral response of juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) to shrimp trawls that utilize water flow modifications to induce escapement. Mar. Technol. Soc. J. 33(2): 43-50
In: Marine Technology Society Journal. Marine Technology Society (MTS): Washington, D.C.. ISSN 0025-3324; e-ISSN 1948-1209, more
|  |
| Authors | | Top |
- Engaas, A.
- Foster, D.
- Hataway, B.D.
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Clear differences in swimming ability between finfish and shrimp in trawls have beenutilized in the southeastern U.S shrimp fishery to reduce the bycatch of finfish. TheJones/Davis device which has been mandated for use in the Gulf of Mexico shrimpfishery uses four windows to provide an escape path for fish while a funnel keeps theshrimp away from the windows, reduces water flow around the windows, and actsas a leading panel to guide the fish out of the trawl. Observations of fish behaviorshowed that finfish generally reacted to the slack water flow created by the funnel byswimming towards the lowest water flow area. The escape rate of finfish such asjuvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), however, was low and random duringtowing when no net surging and fish crowding occurred. The highest escape ratesoccurred during slow down prior to haulback, but were dependent on the haul backprocedure. This may help explain the haul-to-haul variation in escapementdocumented for the Jones/Davis device. Modifications and techniques to improveescape rates during towing are discussed. |
|
