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Effect of gillnet twine thickness on capture pattern and efficiency in the Northeast-Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) fishery
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This study investigated the effects of polyethylene microplastics on the physiology and antioxidant defenses of marine clams, finding dose-dependent increases in reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation after exposure. The results indicate that microplastic ingestion induces oxidative stress as a primary cellular response in commercially important bivalve mollusks.
Gillnets are among the most common fishing gears worldwide. They are often made of thin twine, which is prone to wear and tear, limiting the lifespan of the gillnet. This increases gillnet turnover, and consequently increased risk of gear discarding, gear loss, ghost fishing and marine pollution. This might be mitigated by increasing twine thickness, and thereby breaking strength. However, the tolerable increase in thickness for gillnet durability without compromising the catch efficiency is unknown. Therefore, this study conducted gillnet fishing trials under commercial conditions in the Northeast-Arctic cod gillnet fishery analysing and comparing ways of capture and efficiency between gillnets with two different twine thicknesses for two different mesh sizes. The results demonstrated that a 30 % increase in breaking strength and twine stiffness did not affect catch performance. Therefore, thicker gillnet twine can potentially reduce marine litter by plastic debris from damaged and lost gears without compromising catch performance.
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Use of biodegradable gillnets for resource and marine environment conservation: assessing the potential application in Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) fisheries
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Fishing nets that get lost or abandoned in the ocean can keep trapping fish for years and break down into harmful microplastics that pollute seafood and marine ecosystems. This study tested nets made from a biodegradable plastic as a possible fix, but found they caught fewer large cod and became less effective over time, meaning more research is needed before these eco-friendly nets are ready to replace traditional ones. This matters because reducing plastic pollution in our oceans could help limit the microplastics that eventually make their way into the fish we eat.
Fishing efficiency of biodegradable PBSAT gillnets and conventional nylon gillnets used in Norwegian cod (Gadus morhua) and saithe (Pollachius virens) fisheries
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Fishing trials in Norway found that biodegradable PBSAT gillnets performed comparably to conventional nylon gillnets for catching cod and saithe. Biodegradable fishing nets represent a promising way to reduce the amount of lost gear — ghost fishing gear — that contributes to plastic pollution and microplastic generation in the ocean.
The effect of long-term use on the catch efficiency of biodegradable gillnets
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Researchers tested biodegradable gillnets over three fishing seasons and found they caught up to 47% fewer fish than standard nylon nets as they degraded faster over time. Despite lower catch efficiency, biodegradable nets could significantly reduce plastic pollution from lost fishing gear in the ocean.
Can biodegradable materials reduce plastic pollution without decreasing catch efficiency in longline fishery?
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Researchers tested biodegradable plastic snoods as replacements for nylon in longline fisheries targeting cod and haddock, evaluating whether the eco-friendly materials could reduce marine plastic pollution from lost gear without compromising fishing performance.
Influence of knot strength on the mechanical performance of a biodegradable gillnet
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Researchers compared conventional nylon (PA6) gillnets to biodegradable alternative nets and found the biodegradable material lost even more strength at knots than expected from its weaker base fiber, making it less suitable as a direct replacement. Developing effective biodegradable fishing gear is important because lost or abandoned plastic nets — called ghost gear — are a major source of marine microplastic pollution.
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