Two Boulogne boats, the full-time trawler Marmouset II and the smaller combination trawler/scalloper Saint Philippe are taking part in trials that have already been running since last year to mimic discard ban conditions and to examine the possibilities for working under next year’s new regime.
Researchers Antoine Balazuc and Estelle Soulet have been spending time on both boats to examine working patterns and to test new gear, including both T90 meshes and a variety of mesh sizes.
The programme on Marmouset II is a year-long evaluation, while Saint Philippe the trials are starting now that the scallop season is over and will continue towards the end of 2015, by which time they hope to have some suitable answers.
“The aim is to reduce discards ahead of 1st of January, and to examine the consequences of the landing obligation on the way fishermen work, as well as the effects on the port’s logistics,” Estelle Soulet explained.
Antoine
