FISHERY-INDUCED SKIN INJURIES IN FLATFISH FROM THE BY-CATCH OF SHRIMPERS

Dab Limanda limanda L. from commercial shrimpers in the North Frisian Wadden Sed were examined for externally visible injuries during April to October 1991. Injuries are described macroscopically. The influence of catch conditions on the rate of injuries was subjected to statisti cal analysis. The number of fissures of the fins was positively correl ated with fish length and catch volume, whereas the number of hemorrha ges of the fins decreased significantly with increasing catch volume. Sorting on a traditional shaking sieve increased the rate of fissures and hemorrhages considerably. Wound healing experiments elucidated the process and duration of regeneration of typical fishery-induced injur ies. Experimentally induced skin injuries had closed up some hours aft er being made. They healed without scars; thus formerly suffered injur ies cannot be quantified.