K. Korsbrekke et O. Nakken, Length and species-dependent diurnal variation of catch rates in the Norwegian Barents Sea bottom-trawl surveys, ICES J MAR, 56(3), 1999, pp. 284-291
Diurnal variation in capture efficiency may add to the variability in swept
area estimates (or indices) of abundance from bottom-trawl surveys. In the
present study the relationship between the day/night ratio of swept area e
stimates and fish length was examined for five species observed in the Bare
nts Sea bottom trawl survey in winter in the years 1985-1996. Generally, mo
st species showed increased catch rates during daylight at all sizes as com
pared with darkness. For cod the day/night ratio peaked at a length interva
l 23-31 cm with a substantial reduction for larger fish. For haddock the ra
tio was highest at the minimum size group, 12-15 cm, and decreased with inc
reasing size. Some possible behavioural explanations for these findings are
discussed. A change in groundgear during the time period analysed had a pr
onounced effect on the day/night ratios for all species. In addition there
seem to be a tendency for the day/night ratios of catch rates for both cod
and haddock to increase with stock size. This is a matter to be aware of wh
en survey results are interpreted and used in stock assessments. (C) 1999 I
nternational Council for the Exploration of the Sea.