Size selective effects of a plastic body on longline hooks

Abstract

The potential for improving size selectivity of longlines by using a plastic body attached to the hook shank was tested in a fishing trial for tusk (Brosme brosme), ling (Molva molva) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Catch rates and mean lengths of tusk and ling were similar for hook with plastic body and standard hook, indicating that an inedible body in combination with bait do not affect catching efficiency or size selectivity for these species. The results indicated, however, that this combination caught a lower proportion of small haddock. Based on results obtained in other studies, it is suggested that this combination may also affect size selection for cod (Gadus morhua).