Mullet mesh madness - when is 60mm not 60mm?

On 60mm mesh, the Orion gauge indicates 67mm - under the required 1Kg pressure.

Fishermen who have invested in lightweight monofilament gill net to target species like red mullet may look to use the gear with some trepidation. Using a net gauge that applies the required 1Kg of pressure under EU regulations (introduced to give an accurate reading of much heavier twine used by trawlers and beam trawlers) the soft twine soon stretches to give average readings well over the 60mm! Of course, this also works to advantage at the other end of the scale with some nets that are under 80mm then averaging out well over 80mm!


This will be one of the first jobs from April 1st for the newly formed IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) with its much wider remit to include environmental issues that were not part of the old CSFs responsibility in the same way - and IFCA is no April Fool or Poisson d'Avril as the day is known in France.


A timely publication of research CEFAS carried out aboard Chris Bean's Lady Hamilton last year gives an insight in to just how complicated any form of net legislation is with regard to targeting specific species, especially inshore where those fishermen who work the smallest vessels in the fleet have no option to shift 'further off'!

Project 20: Cornwall red mullet gill net fishery discard reduction

Purpose: To look at the capture of red mullet, and associated species, with different mesh sizes of gill nets. A range of nets will be used, within the range 50-80mm, made up into identical fleets to help determine the desirable net size to reduce the number of discards.
Timing: June to October 2010  

Selectivity of gill nets used in the Cornish RedMullet fishery.

Fisheries Science Partnership: proposal ideas sought from any and all fishermen.

Here's a chance for ANY fishermen to have their ideas or thoughts for a fishing related project turned into reality by CEFAS - speak to the guys in Newlyn to find out more - remember, it is the industry that gives organisations like CEFAS their reason for existing - and their work will be all the more credible if it is seen to be driven by the industry it represents.

The Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP) is a long-standing Defra initiative to encourage fishermen and scientists to work together to solve problems and provide more robust scientific data.
Since 2003, when the FSP programme was first funded, over 75 industry-inspired projects have been carried out. Reports of these projects can be found in the Publications section of this site.

Ideas for proposals are now invited from fishermen for projects to be undertaken in the 2011/12 financial year, subject to funding being available. The continuation of the FSP programme is dependant upon the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, so proposals are prepared at the proposer's risk. At this stage, there is no guarantee of funding after March 2011.

Potential applicants should be aware that the objectives of the FSP are to:

1.provide information from commercial fishing catches on key stocks to supplement data sources traditionally used in ICES assessments

2.investigate concerns raised by fishermen on scientific assessments or on stocks not currently assessed

3.investigate innovative scientific methods and/or more selective/environmentally friendly fishing methods

4.support the work of Regional Advisory Councils.

Thus, to be eligible, projects must meet one of these objectives, plus be practical and able to deliver a real solution.

Turning an idea into a scientifically deliverable project is not always easy, so proposers may wish to ask their local Marine Management Organisation office for help. Alternatively, the Cefas FSP Contract Office can refer applicants to a scientist who can provide advice.

In addition, a simple form has been designed to help proposers to devise a suitable project. The form (in Word format, 64KB) prompts the essential required details.


It is available on this website, or from the FSP Contracts Office, Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT (Tel: +44 (0)1502 527706 / Email: fsp@cefas.co.uk).

Ideas for proposals for projects must be delivered to the FSP Contract Office by 21 January 2011.