A field experiment using acoustic alarms (pingers) to reduce harbour porpoise by-catch in bottom-set gillnets

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Citation: Carlstrom, J., P. Berggren, F. Dinnetz, and P. Borjesson, 2002. A field experiment using acoustic alarms (pingers) to reduce harbour porpoise by-catch in bottom-set gillnets. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59, ps 816-824.
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Link: http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/59/4/816.pdf
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Summary:

Pingers were tested to reduce harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) bycatch in bottom-set gillnets in the Swedish Skagerrak Sea. During the experiment, no harbour porpoise were caught in control or experimental gillnets, possibly as a result of a combination of factors including displacement of porpoise, high prey availability in other areas, or pingers acting as passive reflectors. Pingers did not affect the catch of target species, including cod and pollock.
Field Studies:
Location Fishing gear Reduction technique Bycatch species Effect on bycatch species Catch Effect on target catch Type
Sweden Gillnets Acoustic pingers Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters) No bycatch in nets with or without pingers Cod and pollock Did not affect target catch In the wild