Effect of fisher’s soak tactic on catch pattern in the Danish gillnet plaice fishery

Abstract

Soak duration in the gillnet fisheries can vary from a few hours to several days. The industry reports a variation of soak tactics between target species, but also between seasons for the same species. These are determined by the robustness of the target species and the catch of unwanted species. Different soak tactics were compared to estimate the role that the choice of a soak tactic plays in the catch efficiency of both target and unwanted species. In the Danish summer gillnet fishery targeting plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), nets are deployed approximately 12h (h) during day. Unwanted species are common dab (Limanda limanda) and edible crab (Cancer pagurus). The commercially used 12h deployment during day was compared to 12h deployment during night and 24h deployment. On average, there were about 1.5 more catches of commercial size plaice (above 27cm), and 2 and 4 times less catches of the unwanted dab and edible crab, respectively, for 12h at day compared to the other soak tactics (12h at night or 24h). Gillnetters participating in the coastal summer fishery for plaice follow the theoretical optimal soak tactic. The commercially used 12h deployment during day maximises the catch of commercial sized plaice and limits handling time by catching less unwanted dab and crabs.