Research and analysis

Catch Quota Trials: 2012 final report

Final report from the 2012 trials showing discards of stocks have been drastically reduced by North Sea and West Channel fishermen.

Documents

Catch Quota Trials 2012: Final report

Details

2012’s trials increased the number of vessels and species from 2011.

Stock Gear type Average discard rate for UK vessels in 2011 (%) Trial discard rate (%)
North Sea cod Otter or pair trawl 18.5 0.1
Area VIIe sole Beam trawl 5.9 0.1
Area VIId and e plaice Beam trawl 4.9 0.6
Area VII anglerfish Beam trawl 11.4 0.7
North Sea plaice Otter trawl 8.2 0.0
Western Hake Beam trawl 18.2 1.7
Area VII megrim Beam trawl 10.6 0.6

Catches of undersized fish in the trial were also low, suggesting that boats are fishing more selectively.

Updates to this page

Published 11 June 2014

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