In preparation of the upcoming discard ban, haddock fishermen in South West England tested the new low headline trawl. The ban, or Landing Obligation, will fully be in effect in 2019 and fishermen will have to avoid catching more than their quota.
Seafish's recent trials produced footage of the trawl at work and the organization said preliminary results were promising showing "a marked reduction in the catch of haddock without any appreciable loss of other bottom living species."
"By getting the headline so low it has helped demonstrate that it is possible to avoid catching some of the haddock that would normally have to be discarded while still retaining other valuable species," said Seafish Gear Technologist Mike Montgomerie.
