By-Catch Species in the Greenland Halibut Spanish (NAFO Divisions 3LM and 3NO): 1991-1994

Durán-Muñoz, Pablo; Paz, Xabier; Ramilo-Rivero, Guadalupe

By-Catch Species in the Greenland Halibut Spanish (NAFO Divisions 3LM and 3NO): 1991-1994

1996

Durán-Muñoz, Pablo | Paz, Xabier | Ramilo-Rivero, Guadalupe

The specific composition of by-catch was studied: 17 species, their presence calculated by depth strata, month and Division, and variations in monthly yield by division in the Spanish Greenland halibut fishery, developed in the NAFO regulated area for the period 1991-1994. Two groups of species were identified depending on the importance of their presence in catches: the more and less frequent species. The more frequent species were considered those with a value of above 5 kg/h annual yield, i.e. Skate, Roundnose grenadier and Roughhead grenadier, American plaice, Witch flounder and Redfish. Analyzing the data on a monthly basis, however, reveals the presence of higher values of yield than other species. Some species show a stational pattern, such as Grenadiers, Skate and American plaice, particularly in Division 3N. An other hand, other species have increased yields in recent years. In this fishery, the characteristic species of the demersal fisheries (Skate, American plaice) showed a wider bathymetric distribution than that considered typical in each case. The transfer of effort southwards (Divs.3NO) in recent years, mainly in the case of small vessels, has meant variation in the composition and relative abundance of by-catch in this fleet.

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