Effect of gear design on catch damage on cod (Gadus morhua) in the Barents Sea demersal trawl fishery

Damage incurred during the catch process is an indicator of overall quality fish and welfare. Because difficult to improve once it has deteriorated, important preserve process. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) most species in Barents Sea bottom trawl fishery. Bottom trawling a non-benign fishing method, therefore considered reduce damage imparted capture, subsequently In present study, levels on captured with new gear design were assessed Furthermore, this study investigated what extent compulsory sorting grid diamond mesh codend configuration employed fishery responsible for by capture total, 750 over 25 hauls evaluated (marks, ecchymosis, exsanguination, scale loss). The results showed that substituting four-panel selective knotless section followed gentle increased probability having no 6.00% (CI: 0.6%–11.41%). Moreover, led significant reduction severity all categories.