Variations in coastal fish species composition captured by traps in Romsdalsfjord, Western Norway

Pablo Arechavala-Lopez,Bengt Finstad,Marius Berg,Pål-Arne Bjørn,Ingebrigt Uglem

doi:10.1007/s40071-016-0127-0

Pablo Arechavala-Lopez, Bengt Finstad + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40071-016-0127-0

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Abstract

Fish traps are widely used in Norwegian fjords, especially those designed for monitoring salmonid populations in the marine environment, although many other marine fish species are also captured. The composition and spatio-temporal variations of fish species captured by fish traps were monitored in five different coastal locations throughout the Romsdalsfjord region, Western Norway, from May to August during the three consecutive years (2011–2013). Twenty-three fish species were captured by traps in coastal waters, both resident and migratory fishes. The most common fish and with greater catchability were saithe (Pollachis virens) and sea trout (Salmo trutta), followed by cod (Gadus morhua), pollack (P. pollachius), herring (Clupea harengus) and mackerels (Trachurus trachurus and Scomber scombrus). However, the captured assemblage presented great spatial and seasonal variations, in terms of mean daily catch, probably associated with hydrographical conditions and migrational patterns. Information obtained in this study will help us to better understand the compositions and dynamic of coastal fish populations inhabiting Norwegian coastal waters. In addition, traps are highly recommended as a management tool for fish research (e.g. fish-tagging experiments, mark and recapture) and conservation purposes (coastal use and fisheries studies).

Highlights

Fish traps are stationary fixed structures to which fish or shellfish are led into an enclosure and trapped (He and Inoue 2010)
The aim of this study was to assess the presence, composition and spatio-temporal variations of fish species captured with traps in a Norwegian fjord system, providing interesting and useful information for understanding the variability and dynamic coastal fish assemblages
Twenty-three fish species were captured by traps during the sampling period

Summary

Introduction

Fish traps are stationary fixed structures to which fish or shellfish are led into an enclosure and trapped (He and Inoue 2010). Traps are commonly used in marine and freshwater environments for recreational and professional fishing, presenting diverse and appropriate designs and handling protocols according to the target species (Gabriel et al 2005; He and Inoue 2010). Traps are commonly used in Norwegian waters and designed for capturing wild salmonids (e.g. Halttunen et al 2009; Liu et al 2011; Skilbrei and Holm 2011), escaped salmonids from fish farms Skilbrei and Jørgensen 2010; Chittenden et al 2011; Liu et al 2011; Solem et al 2013), and to monitor parasitic infestations of salmon lice Finstad Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway

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