2010/2011 programme
This programme is the final year in the latest three-year
commitment of Defra to the FSP initiative, with a further £1
million allocated for the year.
The established time-series surveys of northeast cod, western
anglerfish, Irish Sea roundfish and western Channel sole and plaice
(west) are scheduled to complete a eighth year of surveys by March
2011. The new North Sea whitefish time-series second survey began
in June/July 2010.
The agreed new, one-off projects are:
- square-mesh panels trials on twin/multi-rig-working inshore
grounds in the northern Thames estuary
- sardine and anchovy survey off southwest England
- Bristol Channel 100mm codend trials
- red mullet gill net fishery discard reduction
- modified commercial trawl trial in the North Sea
- observation of cod at Greenland.
2010/11 projects:
Project 3: Northeast cod and whiting
Purpose: To extend the time series of surveys
of NE coast cod carried out in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
and 2009 in order to provide year-on-year comparative information
on the distribution, relative abundance and the size/age
composition of cod. Also, to obtain additional information on the
distribution, relative abundance and the size/age composition
of whiting and haddock off the NE coast.
Timing: October
Vessel: Abbie Lee
(PDF, 1.1 MB)
Project 4: Western Channel sole and plaice
Purpose: To extend the time series of surveys
in the western English Channel in order to provide information on
the distribution patterns of sole, plaice and other commercial
by-catch species; trends in abundance and the age composition of
sole and plaice; and additional information on the by-catch of
species such as cod.
Timing: Late August to October
Vessel:
FV Carhelmar (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Project 5: Western anglerfish
Purpose: To extend the time series of surveys
to provide data on the distribution, catch rates and length
distribution of anglerfish, lemon sole, sole and cod caught using
commercial gear off southwest England.
Timing: September to November
Vessels: Billy
Rowney and Twilight III (PDF, 3.5 MB)
Project 6: Irish Sea roundfish
Purpose: To extend the time series of surveys
of cod, haddock and whiting in the western and eastern Irish Sea
carried out since 2004. The target species are cod, haddock and
whiting.
Timing: February/March
Vessels: Isadale and Benaiah IV (PDF, 1.95
MB)
Project 7: North Sea whitefish
Purpose: To undertake the second year of the
North Sea whitefish time series to compare the catch rate of our
whitefish species using an otter trawl on hard grounds and a
scraper trawl on soft grounds. Detailed measurements will be made
of cod, whiting, haddock and possibly plaice.
Timing: June/July
Vessel: Allegiance
S (PDF, 571 KB)
Project 17: Square-mesh panels trials on twin/multi-rig-working inshore grounds in the northern Thames estuary
Purpose: To investigate the potential of more
selective/environmentally friendly fishing methods by fitting
square-mesh panels to 80mm otter trawls (i.e modified trawl design)
to reduce discard rates of fish and benthos in the northern Thames
estuary.
Timing: June to October 2010 MFV
Harvester (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Project 18: Sardine and anchovy survey off southwest England
Purpose: To measure key population parameters
of sardine and anchovy in the western Channel, to help determine
the relationship of these stocks to others in the area. Acoustic,
plankton and other biological data will be collected from sardine
and anchovy to establish their range of distribution, spawning
locations, age groups and relationship with other commercial
pelagic species in the survey area.
Timing: June 2010 FV
Wiron 1 and FV Wirin 2 (PDF, 611
KB)
Project 19: Bristol Channel 100 mm codend trials
Purpose: To understand the effects on landings
and discards of moving to a 100mm-mesh codend compared with a
standard 80mm codend.
Timing: June to October 2010 MFV
"Our Josie Grace" (PDF, 1 MB)
Project 20: Cornwall red mullet gill net fishery discard reduction
Purpose: To look at the capture of red mullet,
and associated species, with different mesh sizes of gill nets. A
range of nets will be used, within the range 50-80mm, made up into
identical fleets to help determine the desirable net size to reduce
the number of discards.
Timing: June to October 2010
Lady Hamilton
(PDF, 1.3 MB)
.
Project 21: Modified commercial trawl survey
Purpose: To learn more about the behaviour of
cod and other fish as they enter the net by modifying a standard NE
coast trawl to hold two separator panels running the entire length
of the net. A series of hauls will be undertaken to see where
cod and the other fish are captured in the net. This will lead to
better designs of cod-avoidance gears.
Timing: June to August 2010 FV
Jubilee Spirit (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Project 22: Observations of cod at Greenland
Purpose: Cod caught in the east Greenland
fishery will be recorded and measured, along with other biological
information
Timing: May/June 2010
Vessel: Marbella
(PDF 3,468 MB)