IDENTIFICATION OF DANISH NORTH-SEA TRAWL FISHERIES

Many North Sea fisheries are mixed-species fisheries, which requires t hat management take account of technical interaction problems. Therefo re, the fisheries should be identified and described with respect to s pecies composition, spatial distribution, vessel characteristics, etc. , and yield projections should be made accordingly. Cluster analysis w as used to classify the Danish trawl fisheries in the North Sea in 198 8. Classification of individual trips based on the species composition in value of landings for human consumption resulted in the identifica tion of nine directed fisheries. Some of these were mixed demersal fis heries, whereas others were relatively ''clean'', being comprised of o nly a few commercial species. Classification of annual landings by ves sel resulted in candidates for manageable units. The economically most important sub-fleet fished for industrial purposes, while the second most important fleet mainly targeted cod and haddock.The potential app lications of the concept of directed fisheries is discussed.