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Lobster traps (creels) may reduce fishing pressure in the Kattegat and Skagerrak
In the Kattegat between Denmark and Sweden there is a large fisheries on Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), or langoustine.
Currently, these tasty prawns are fished in three different fisheries: bottom trawling, either in a mixed fisheries or specifically targeted towards this species, and using fish traps (creeling). BENTHIS has studied alternative fisheries strategies to reduce the pressure on the ecosystem.
The researchers show that creeling offers a substantial reduction of fishing mortality of both undersized Nephrops and fish, as well as reduced seafloor pressure per landed kilo of Nephrops. Allocating a larger quota share to creels in the Swedish fishery would therefore contribute to the integration of fisheries- and environmental management as called for in the new European policies: the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the European Common Fisheries Policy.
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Hornborg, S., Ulmestrand, M., Sköld, M., Jonsson, P., Valentinsson, D., Eigaard, O.R., Feekings, J.P., Nielsen, J.R., Bastardie, F., Lövgren, J. 2016. New policies may call for new approaches: the case of the Swedish Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) fisheries in Kattegat and Skagerrak. ICES J. Mar. Sci.