A tool to estimate the contribution of fishing gear modifications to reduce benthic impact

The ecological effects of seabed-penetrating fishing gears depend, in part, on the seabed penetration (P) gear. We present a gear impact tool that utilizes published data to provide estimated P globally utilized different sediments and their resulting biological communities. As correlates with depletion (d) benthic fauna caused by gears, we use calculate d, which can be used estimate relative status (RBS; community biomass carrying capacity) seabed. an objective appraisal fisheries management scenarios or interventions (e.g., modification, substitution, effort limits) status, particularly situations limited resources. For otter trawling mud, modification may greater benefits than reducing effort; mean RBS increased 29% fished areas removing from trawl sweeps; this is comparable approximately 70%. In contrast, beam sand resulted marginal improvements (6%) RBS. Modification removal components high could result spatial management, dependent type sediment. quantitative method for estimating effectiveness enabling evaluation trade-off between measures (closures reductions) versus technical modifications. This article met requirements Gold-Gold JIE openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges