Field tests of acoustic devices on groundfish gillnets: assessment of effectiveness in reducing harbour porpoise by-catch

Authors:

Lien, J., C. Hood, D. Pittman, P. Ruel, D. Borggaard, C. Chisholm, L. Wiesner, T. Mahon, and D. Mitchell

Year:

1995

Journal/Publisher Name:

In: R.A. Kastelien, J.A. Thomas, and P.E. Nachtigall, eds. Sensory Systems of Aquatic Mammals

Page #s:

349-364

Publisher Address:

De Spil Publishers, Woerden, The Netherlands ISBN 90-72743-05-9

Gillnets equipped with acoustic pingers caught only one harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) compared to 42 caught in control nets off of New Hampshire, USA. Alarms sounds are above groundfish hearing and are not expected to affect fish catch.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
Gulf of Maine	Gillnets	Acoustic pingers	Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters)	Gillnets with pingers caught fewer porpoise	Trout		In the wild