Scientists are to study the swimming and fleeing behaviour of sole and place. With this research, Wageningen University & Research hopes to contribute to an alternative method of catching these flatfish now that pulse fishing is prohibited. The NWO (Dutch Research Council) has awarded 1.3 million euros in subsidies for this research.
The European Union recently banned pulse fishing. This fishing method uses electric impulses to startle fish such as plaice and soles so they swim into the nets. Thus, fishers have resorted to using trawl nets with chains. The chains are used to startle the fish but also cause disturbances of the seabed.
The research aims to find alternatives for the use of trawl nets, a fishing method that is more efficient and less harmful to the seabed. 'First, we will study the swimming and fleeing behaviour of the intended catch', says researcher Martin Lankheet. 'Little is known about this behaviour in flatfish'. This type of fish inhabits the seabed, living on their side, and often hidden in the sand.
Fleeing response
This knowledge may help Wageningen scientists develop stimuli that allow the plaice and soles to be caught with a minimal impact on the environment. To this end, they will collaborate with the TU Delft. Potential promising stimuli will be established in consultation with the fisheries sector. During the later stages of the investigation, a prototype will be developed and tested.
Researchers are to collaborate in a consortium with businesses from the fisheries sector, branch organisations such as the Dutch Fisheries Association and Visned, the Fisheries Innovation Centre South-West Holland, the TU Delft and Wageningen Marine Research.
