Behaviour of Norwegian spring spawning herring in relation to underwater light

1988

This report is not to be cited without prior reference to the authors

The Norwegian coastal purse seiners, with shallow nets, have

experienced difficulties in catching the herring due to their

natura! behaviour being located too deep during day time and

toe scattered during night time. Experiments, conducted by

FTFI, have shown that scattered congregations of herring may

be concentrated by underwater light. When light was switched

on underneath the school, the herring immediately rose

towards the surface with a speed of approximately 20 m/min.

Use of underwater light to manipulate the natural behaviour

of herring would increase the efficiency, and consequently the

economic benefit for the costal purse seiners.

ICES

ICES CM Documents;1988/B:24