Fishermen in Devon and Dorset are being trained to analyze fish bones to determine age and growth rates, providing crucial data to secure fishing rights.
Fisherman Stephen Andrews said a specific bone in fish could be analysed to detect its age and rate of growth. Fishermen in Devon and Dorset are being trained in a new science to help better understand fish stocks. The project in Lyme Bay is teaching dozens of fishermen to dissect a specific bone in fish which can be used to detect its age and rate of growth.
The aim is to provide as much data as possible to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to secure fishing rights after a ban on pollack fishing a year ago whichConcerns had been raised that a similar situation could happen with other fish species without sufficient data around fish stocks.About 50 fishermen have taken part in the training programme, which involves analysing the otolith bone located in the head of a fish. Fisherman Stephen Andrews said the bone contained a series of rings, which 'show you the age and how fast it grows'.'It isn't just about pollack, it's about all fish we catch in Lyme Bay because most, if not all, fish stocks are data deficient.'Photographs and measurements are also taken, along with details such as water temperature and signs of spawning. About 50 fishermen have taken part in the training programme, which involves analysing the otolith bone Dr Bryce Stewert, from the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, said: 'If you are able to take samples of fish and work out how many individuals are in each different age class, that tells you something about the health of the population.' Project coordinator Mandelai Wolfe said the data had to be collected in a 'compliant manner' that could work with the government's current data collection processes. She added: 'Once they're trained fully, then we're looking for partners to start collecting that data and feeding it in.' The fishermen and biologists said they hoped similar schemes could be rolled out in fishing communities around the regio
FISHING RIGHTS FISH STOCKS DATA COLLECTION FISH BIOLOGY LYME BAY
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