Longer is not always better: The influence of beach seine net haul distance on fish catchability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of different haul distances of a codend beach seine on the catchability of fish in a surf zone. Two different surf zone sites (A and B) at the Cassino Beach (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) were sampled at three different distances, parallel to the beach (30, 60, and 90 m). Starting 40 m from the beach line, diagonal distances of approximately 50, 70, and 100 m were swept. The total CPUE and CPUA haul distances are compatible with a declining trend in catch rates with increased haul distance at both sites. However, statistically significant differences were observed only for the short distance CPUA (50 m) in relation to the other haul distances at one of the sites sampled. Two fish size groups were observed (TL р 40 and > 40 mm), but only small individuals (р 40 mm) captured in the shorter haul distance at site B showed significant differences in CPUA. This result indicates that size structure for hauls at different distances was equal and that smaller individuals determined the pattern of fish abundance. The net performance indicates that a short haul (р 50 m) is the best strategy to reduce net avoidance and fish escape when using this type of sampling gear.

Long-Term Spatiotemporal Variation in the Juvenile Fish Assemblage of the Tramandaí River Estuary (29°S) and Adjacent Coast in Southern Brazil

“…A broad variety of sampling strategies and fishing gears has been developed to collect and record the presence and abundance of different fish species occurring in estuarine and coastal marine habitats. The beach seine, due to its robustness, rusticity, and ease of use and maintenance, is an appropriate gear for regular work in environments without catchers and entanglement (Vieira, 2006;Ceni and Vieira, 2013;Lombardi et al, 2014). The drawback of a beach seine, however, is that the catches provide low precision in estimates of abundance (Lombardi et al, 2014).…”

“…The beach seine, due to its robustness, rusticity, and ease of use and maintenance, is an appropriate gear for regular work in environments without catchers and entanglement (Vieira, 2006;Ceni and Vieira, 2013;Lombardi et al, 2014). The drawback of a beach seine, however, is that the catches provide low precision in estimates of abundance (Lombardi et al, 2014). However, the beach seine is a good sampling device for regular low-cost projects (Vieira, 2006;Ceni and Vieira, 2013) and we strongly recommend this gear to be used in the future so comparisons can be made with past data that have been gathered using this seine.…”

The freshwater artisanal fishery of Patos Lagoon

“…The fish species were grouped in four categories: frequent and abundant ( F O % ≥ F O %; CPUE ≥ CPUE), frequent but not abundant ( F O % ≥ F O %; CPUE < CPUE), not frequent, but abundant ( F O % < F O %; CPUE ≥ CPUE) and not frequent and low abundance ( F O % < F O %; CPUE < CPUE). Species identified as abundant and frequent were considered dominant (Ceni & Vieira, ; Lombardi et al ., ).…”

Characteristics of Beach Seine Fishery of East Java: Facing Ministerial Decree of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 2/2015

“…It was operated forming almost an equilateral triangle to make an efficient use of manpower, pulling the net onto the beach. Total area of bottom substrate swept will be dependent on the length of hauling rope together with equilateral triangle formed by wing body net (Lombardi et al, 2014;see Figure 2). Total bottom swept area was estimated through calculation of the area of triangle and rectangular imagery forms.…”

“…On the contrary, minitrawls and Danish Seines are much bigger size, and always moving from one fishing ground to the other (Garces et al, 2006). Beach seines in many developed countries are still considered as legal fishing gear (Gray and Kennelly, 2003;Cabral et al, 2003;Akel and Philips, 2014;Lombardi et al, 2014), and in developing countries as well (Monteclaro and Abunal, 2013;Nunoo and Azumah, 2015). So, with very low catch contribution, and very limited and localized effect on bottom habitats, beach seine should not be treated as equal as their relatives, such as trawls and other seine nets.…”