Damage sustained by epibenthic invertebrates discarded in the Nephrops fishery of the Clyde Sea area, Scotland

Abstract

The Clyde Sea Nephrops fishery produces ca. 25 000 t y −1 discards with invertebrates accounting for up to 90% of the number of animals discarded. Trawling and handling of the (by-)catch often results in physical injury, the extent of which was previously unknown. Damage sustained by invertebrate discards was assessed following commercial trawling (of 62–270 min duration) and sorting on deck. Brittlestars Ophiura ophiura were most vulnerable with 100% incurring damage, followed by squat lobsters Munida rugosa (57%) and starfish Astropecten irregularis (56%). Harder-shelled species such as hermit crabs Pagurus bernhardus and queen scallops Aequipecten opercularis sustained fewer injuries (14 and 2%, respectively). Shell chipping, loss and damage of limbs were the most frequent types of injury incurred. The severity and frequency of damage was mainly correlated with species-specific morphological and behavioural characteristics. Vessel type, tow duration and animal size had a major influence on damage to the epibenthic invertebrates caught. While damage may potentially be repaired, survival is adversely affected and sublethal effects might significantly impair fitness of frequently trawled individuals and populations.