This is a potentially important finding from a management perspective that could be applicable to other shrimp fisheries where flexibility in the use of different grid bar spacings may be beneficial to maximize the reduction of unwanted bycatch while minimizing the loss of target species. This study demonstrated that reducing bar spacing can significantly reduce fish bycatch while only marginally affecting catch efficiency of Northern shrimp. Results were obtained for the target species and two by-catch species: cod ( Gadus morhua) and American plaice ( Hippoglossoides platessoides). Experimental fishing trials were conducted in the Barents Sea where the bottom trawl fleet targets Northern shrimp. Further, the effect of applying these two grids on trawl size selectivity was predicted and compared to the legislated gear configuration. Therefore, this study estimated and compared the size selectivity of Nordmøre grids with bar spacings of 17 and 21 mm. However, fish bycatch in shrimp trawls remains a challenge and further modifications of the gear that can improve selectivity are still sought. In the Norwegian Northern shrimp ( Pandalus borealis) fishery, the mandatory selective gear consists of a Nordmøre grid with 19 mm bar spacing combined with a 35 mm mesh size diamond mesh codend. The introduction of the Nordmøre grid in shrimp trawls has reduced the bycatch of non-target species.
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