Damage, recovery and survival of 0-group mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, after simulated escape through square mesh |
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| Authors: | M. E. Miller M. K. Broadhurst D. T. Barker S. J. Kennelly |
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| Affiliation: | New South Wales Fisheries, Cronulla Fisheries Centre, Cronulla, NSW;;New South Wales Fisheries, Conservation Technology Unit, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia |
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| Abstract: | A laboratory experiment was carried out to quantify and compare the physical damage (measured as scale loss), recovery and survival of two size categories [small: 48–85 mm total length (TL); large: 78–148 mm TL] of 0‐group mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, after simulated escape through square‐shaped mesh (bar length of 21.5 mm). Regardless of their size, fish that were fatigued to exhaustion and forced through square meshes sustained significantly more (i.e. >1.8 times) scale loss than did control fish that were only fatigued. However, the total scale loss incurred was <5% and significantly improved 7 days after treatment. Survival rates over a 2‐week observation period were 100 and >97% for treatment and control fish, respectively. The results support the utility of square mesh for reducing the prawn‐trawl fishing mortality of unwanted bycatch. |
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