Animal Sciences Commons^™

Improving Gill Net Selectivity By Altering Mesh Characteristics 2010, Robert Weagley

Reports

This project was designed to further examine the effect of twine size (mesh diameter) and hanging ratio on catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of striped bass, American shad and Atlantic sturgeon. It follows a 2009 study in which four 200' net strings, each consisting of four identically varied 50' net sections that mimicked nets fished in 2010 in every way except .62mm twine sized nets were replaced with .90mm webbing.

Hybrid Fish Capturing Device "Fcd" For Capturing Live Flounder: Final Report, Jeffrey Hammer

Reports

The purpose of this project was to determine if a device to capture live flounder could be designed and built, to catch effectively. Six FDC's were constructed, two each, of three different funnel designs. The three types of FCD,s were then placed in the water, on april I st 20 I 0, at three different locations. The FCD,s were fished, once per day , for 60 days. The locations were rotated, to give each type of funnel an equal chance. The type of funnels are as follows, # I and 2 were horizontal 2" x 12", # 3 and 4 …

Analysis Of Tie Downs On Gillnet Cpue, Selectivity And Bycatch Composition, George Earl Trice Iv

Reports

The striped bass fishery is of great economic importance to Virginia’s commercial finfishermen and anchored gill nets are the predominant gear used I both coastal and estuarine waters. Unfortunately, these nets have the highest rate of Atlantic Sturgeon bycatch (85%) compared to other Virginia gear types (NMFS) and the second largest bycatch recorded by NMFS Northeast Observer Network coastally. High Atlantic Sturgeon interaction rates could result in seriously restrictive regulations being imposed on the fishery or even complete closure, one Atlantic Sturgeon are listed under the Endangered Species Act as has been proposed. Such regulations have been made in order …

Using Traps For Catfish In Virginia Tidal Rivers, James Bristow

Reports

The project tested a different way to commercially fish for catfish in the tidal rivers, while allowing by-catch and smaller catfish to escape. Ten traps were constructed of coated wire mesh and steel rod, equipped with an entry funnel, and fished alongside three strings of trot-lines in the same area and times. The test period covered September and October 2010 over a period of warm weather when salinity changed dramatically from 10 ppt to zero and water temperatures eased downward from 68 degrees to 60 degrees.

The trap design and all boat modifications operated as designed with only a few …