How is purse seining destroying the oceans? - Page 2

Bunker Bouy · 08-28-2008, 08:46 PM

the Picker has spoken!

fishpicker · 08-28-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunn6253

Nice thread to start a discussion on Holwachagot, as me and the guy I fish with always talk about this same topic.

I have to say that if I had to choose between midwater trawlers or a purse seine, 100 percent of the time I would roll with the seiners. First trip tuna fishing this year out on Stellewagon Bank, I counted at least fifteen different draggers, who were out there for Cod. Now this was early June, and the season just opened. While we didn't catch any tuna, we were catching monster stripers that we weren't allowed to keep because of the EZE zone. It made me sick thinking of all the bycatch of stripers these guys were dragging up and just tossing back over, dead and floating. Do I know that they were dead, no, but there is a little chance that they survived I think. My point is that with purse seiners, there is a lot less by catch, if any at all, compared to the draggers, who take up almost anything that is in their nets way.

Sorry for the long ramble, but thanks for everyone's time with this forum, as I think this one of the best ones on this website.

You would be surprised at the lack of bycatch in a drag net that is designed for Cod / ground fish. Big mesh and the top line is real low to the bottom. In most cases the mouth is 1 fathom high. So unless the bass were very tight on the bottom and thick chances are good that your party caught more then the dragger.

I wasn't there but I have been there.

dunn6253 · 08-28-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishpicker

You would be surprised at the lack of bycatch in a drag net that is designed for Cod / ground fish. Big mesh and the top line is real low to the bottom. In most cases the mouth is 1 fathom high. So unless the bass were very tight on the bottom and thick chances are good that your party caught more then the dragger.

I wasn't there but I have been there.

Thanks for the response, I actually thought of their nets, but didn't know what they used. Maybe the bycatch wasn't so bad, at least I hope not.

fountain-boy · 09-06-2008, 06:48 PM

so i got a question. maybe dumb but i still dont know the differance.purse seining, dragging and trawling?? whats the differance?

shoefish · 09-07-2008, 09:39 PM

Good topic Geoff. When I think of seining vs dragging vs longlining, in my mind it is the most "reversable" in that there would seem to be instant feedback on whether the catch is what was targeted, and obviously the best part is that the fish are still in the water and can be released unharmed if they aren't. Conceptually it seems like a very responsible way to fish.

The only heartburn for me it is that when you have the huge seine boats combined with spotter planes, you can clear out entire schools and biomasses of fish in relatively short order.

Still, they don't seem to be as destructive as draggers, or indiscriminate as long lines.

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08-28-2008, 08:46 PM	#11
Bunker Bouy I practice safe fishing Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CapeMay NJ Posts: 70 Credits: 4,965.2 Boat: f/v Western Explorer / fun boat, No Tan Lines Home Port: Cape May Best Catch: whatever swims Occupation: fisherman	the Picker has spoken!

09-06-2008, 06:48 PM	#14
fountain-boy Hide- My Wifes Logged On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: central new jersey Posts: 161 Credits: 5,895.4 Best Catch: 18# black fish Occupation: boat mechanic	so i got a question. maybe dumb but i still dont know the differance.purse seining, dragging and trawling?? whats the differance?

09-07-2008, 09:39 PM	#15
shoefish Chum Nuts Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Portsmouth NH Posts: 4,642 Credits: 3,005.9	Good topic Geoff. When I think of seining vs dragging vs longlining, in my mind it is the most "reversable" in that there would seem to be instant feedback on whether the catch is what was targeted, and obviously the best part is that the fish are still in the water and can be released unharmed if they aren't. Conceptually it seems like a very responsible way to fish. The only heartburn for me it is that when you have the huge seine boats combined with spotter planes, you can clear out entire schools and biomasses of fish in relatively short order. Still, they don't seem to be as destructive as draggers, or indiscriminate as long lines.