Brown & May Marine Ltd
1.0 Summary 1.1 Otter Trawl A total of 12 species of fish and shellfish were caught in the otter trawl survey; six at the control stations and 12 within East Anglia THREE. Overall, whiting (Merlangius merlangus) was the most abundant species caught, followed by plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), dab (Limanda limanda) and then lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula). All other species were caught in relatively low numbers. The highest catch rate for all species combined was recorded at station OT08 within East Anglia THREE, with P. platessa and L. limanda accounting for 75.0% of the catch.
Three species of fish were caught for which there is a set minimum landing size (MLS). Most of the P. platessa and M. merlangus caught in both sampling areas were below the MLS. One horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) was caught within East Anglia THREE and was above the MLS.
At the control stations the sex ratio of the M. merlangus caught was approximately even, whereas within East Anglia THREE a large proportion of individuals were female; high numbers of which were running females in both sampling areas. The sex ratio of the L. limanda caught at the control stations was approximately equal with the highest proportion of individuals identified as immature males, whereas most of those caught with East Anglia THREE were maturing males. At the control stations the highest proportion of the P. platessa caught were immature and running males, whereas within East Anglia THREE most of which were maturing males.
1.2 Beam Trawl Of the 18 species caught in the commercial beam trawl survey, 13 were found at the control stations and 13 within East Anglia THREE. Overall, P. platessa was the most abundant species caught, followed by L. limanda. The total catch rate was highest at the control stations. Control station BT01 had the highest catch rate overall; this is attributed to the high numbers of whelk (Buccinum undatum) recorded.
Most of the P. platessa caught in both sampling areas were below the set MLS. All of the B. undatum, caught within East Anglia THREE were below the MLS. All other species were caught in low numbers.
The highest proportion of the P. platessa caught in both sampling areas were maturing males. Most of the L. limanda caught at the control stations were immature males, whereas within East Anglia THREE the majority were maturing females.
1.3 Scientific 2-metre Beam Trawl A total of 28 species of fish were caught in the s East Anglia THREE scientific beam trawl survey; 20 within East Anglia THREE, and 27 along the export cable. Solenette (Buglossidum luteum) was the most abundant species along the export cable whereas sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) was more abundant within East Anglia THREE, followed by lesser weever (Echiichthys vipera) and scaldfish (Arnoglossus laterna). All other species were caught in relatively low numbers. Station T12 within East Anglia THREE yielded the highest catch rate (1,222.6/hr), with B. luteum and P. minutus representing the majority of the catch (43.7% and 42.9% respectively).
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