Can a square-mesh panel inserted in front of the codend improve the exploitation pattern in Mediterranean bottom trawl fisheries?

Abstract

A 50mm square-mesh panel was inserted in front of the codend in a Mediterranean bottom trawl as an attempt to improve the exploitation pattern for Trachurus trachurus (Atlantic horse mackerel), Merluccius merluccius (European hake), Mullus barbatus (red mullet), Trisopterus minutus capelanus (poor cod), Illex coindetii (broadtail shortfin squid), and Parapenaeus longirostris (deep-water rose shrimp). Escapement through the square-mesh panel was low, never estimated to be above 10% of the total escapement, implying that a square-mesh panel inserted in front of the codend only had minor effect on the exploitation pattern in the fishery.