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Determining an optimal mesh size for use in the lampara net fishery for eastern sea garfish, Hyporhamphus australis
Author(s) -
Stewart J.,
Walsh C.,
Reynolds D.,
Kendall B.,
Gray C.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2004.00408.x
Subject(s) - fishery , wire mesh , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , net (polyhedron) , mathematics , geometry , materials science , composite material
The selection properties of three experimental mesh sizes were examined in the lampara net fishery for eastern sea garfish, Hyporhamphus australis (Steindachner), in New South Wales, Australia. The sizes of fish retained in 25‐, 28‐ and 32‐mm mesh nets were compared with those retained in a control 12‐mm mesh net. The 25‐mm mesh net retained significant numbers of immature H. australis , the 28‐mm mesh net retained predominantly only mature fish and the 32‐mm mesh had very low catch rates. Catch rates decreased linearly with increasing mesh size and there was a significant linear relationship between mesh size and the 50% selection size ( L 50 ). Given this species is being overfished, the 28‐mm mesh size is recommended as the most appropriate for use in the fishery.