Performance of square-mesh codends in reducing discards and by-catch in the Shark Bay scallop fishery

A study on Shark Bay, Western Australia, found that square-mesh codends significantly reduce discards and by-catch in the saucer-scallop trawl fishery compared to conventional diamond-mesh codends. Specifically, 55- and 60-mm square-mesh codends retained 22–33% fewer small scallops (<85 mm shell height) while maintaining commercial-sized scallop catch rates and achieving up to a 95% reduction in by-catch. The 60-mm square-mesh codend also reduced prawn catch to less than 2% of that in standard prawn nets, suggesting potential for broader adoption in the fishery. This approach could improve net efficiency and water flow, benefiting both sustainability and commercial catches.

Chandrapavan, A., Kangas, M. I., & Sporer, E. C. (2012). Performance of square-mesh codends in reducing discards and by-catch in the Shark Bay scallop fishery. Marine and Freshwater Research, 63(11), 1142–1151. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf12069