Two methods for onboard sampling of discards practised in UK waters are com
pared. The fishing gear was light trawl and the principal species caught we
re haddock and whiting. The quantities of fish discarded, as well as those
for the market, were measured. The methods for onboard sampling of discards
were carried out in parallel. Quantities discarded estimated using the two
methods are compared against the measured quantities. No evidence for bias
is found for either method. The results of other analyses of the data are
presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods discussed. A
proposal is made for an approach to onboard sampling. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.