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Optimising Selectivity to Promote Conservation Pelagic fishing by its very nature targets mid-water fish shoals and has very little impact on the seabed. Another feature of pelagic fisheries is that bycatch of non-target species is insignificant. Cetacean bycatch is not an issue within Scottish pelagic fisheries. This has been verified by studies carried out by SMRU, initially under a voluntary agreement, and now covered under regulation. Within the framework of Scottish pelagic fisheries, the methods of fishing and the natural habitat and characteristics of the target species mean that the incidental bycatch of other non target marine species is extremely rare. On some occasions discards can occur due to fish size within a shoal of fish. The industry is developing a programme to consider a range of options to mitigate this issue. Scottish vessels fishing in an area where small, unmarketable fish have been caught will move on to another fishing area and will advise others fishing in the vicinity of the reasons for their actions. Members of the Scottish pelagic fleet will seek to continually improve selectivity during fishing activity to reduce bycatch and discards to an ecologically insignificant level, by continually assessing, adopting and making use of: • advances in the selectivity of pelagic gear design • advances in the detail and amount of information which can be obtained from electronic fish finding equipment • new scientific data • ongoing research and development The deliberate discarding of a haul in order to seek a more commercially viable catch in future fishing activity; or to discharge a catch overboard in order to free stowage capacity for fish of a higher marketable value is unacceptable except where necessary to comply with minimum landings size regulations. The Scottish pelagic industry does not and will not condone this activity. Slippage or high grading contradicts the whole spirit of the sustainable policy under which the industry operates. Scottish pelagic vessels do not carry grading equipment. |