Grid-net design that successfully reduces discarded catch and damage to benthic species in the veined rapa whelk beam trawl fishery

In this study, a grid-net design (GND) with three different bar spacings was compared with the commercial beam trawl used in the veined rapa whelk fishery to minimize the discarded catch amount and the loss of commercial product. In addition, the damage and mortality rates of the species that entered the tested fishing gear were determined to understand whether the tested fishing gear has a possible negative effect on benthic species. In the grid-net design, a rectangular metallic grid positioned 6 cm off the ground substituted half of the codend to allow the escape of discard species. Sea trials were carried out in the south-eastern Black Sea between 13 and 24 October 2021. Results showed that the discarded catch amount was significantly reduced by each GND (P