Fishing tactics and fish quality: The case of the coastal fishery for Atlantic cod in Norway

Geir Sogn-Grundvåg,Dengjun Zhang,Edgar Henriksen,Sjurdur Joensen,Bjørn-Inge Bendiksen,Øystein Hermansen

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106167

Abstract

This study examined the effects of key fishing tactics such as the choice of fishing gear and catch size, an indicator of swift and intense fishing, on the quality of landed fish. The effects of changes in yearly TACs, and thus catch shares, vessel size (length) and vessel age on fish quality were also investigated. A data set consisting of objective quality assessments of Atlantic cod in 432 catches from the coastal cod fishery in Norway, combined with details about the same catches was analyzed. The statistical analysis showed that fishing gear affected fish quality, but to a variable degree, with gillnets and Danish seines, the preferred methods in this fishery, providing the poorest-quality fish. It was also found that catch size had a negative impact on fish quality for gillnets, handlines, and Danish seines, but not for longlines. The results indicate that fishers’ tactical decisions regarding what fishing gear to use, and how swiftly and intensely to fish, may lead to poor-quality fish being landed. Although this may be economically rational for fishers in a fishery with no restrictions on the choice of fishing gear and catch sizes, and where quality-based pricing is largely absent, it may lead to a substantial reduction in value-adding opportunities in downstream processing and marketing.

Highlights

Previous research has consistently shown that different fishing gear, such as trawls, gillnets, traps, Danish seines, trolling rods, longlines and handlines, affects fish quality, but to a variable degree (Botta et al, 1987; Esaiassen et al, 2004; Margeirsson et al, 2010; Martí nez-Garmendia et al, 2000; Mcconnell and Strand, 2000; Olsen et al, 2014; Rotabakk et al, 2011)
Because landings of poor-quality fish influence downstream valueadding opportunities negatively, and because a decline in fish quality during harvest can never be regained in later stages of the value chain (Østli et al, 2013), it is preferable for society that the landed fish be of good quality
This study provides comprehensive insights into the effect that key fishing tactics such as fishing methods and catch sizes might have on fish quality in a fishery with few restrictions on gear choice and fishing intensity, and in which quality-based pricing is largely absent

Summary

Introduction

Previous research has consistently shown that different fishing gear, such as trawls, gillnets, traps, Danish seines, trolling rods, longlines and handlines, affects fish quality, but to a variable degree (Botta et al, 1987; Esaiassen et al, 2004; Margeirsson et al, 2010; Martí nez-Garmendia et al, 2000; Mcconnell and Strand, 2000; Olsen et al, 2014; Rotabakk et al, 2011). Sogn-Grundvåg et al, (2014, 2013) estimated price premiums in the UK grocery retail market to be in the 10.4–24.6% range for line-caught chilled and frozen Atlantic cod and haddock compared with fish caught with other fishing methods. Sogn-Grundvåg et al (2019) showed enhanced product longevity for Atlantic cod and haddock products with the line-caught label compared to similar products without the label, implying reduced costs. This suggests that line-caught Atlantic cod and haddock are preferred, at least in the UK market

Methods

Results

Conclusion