Comparison of catches taken in dual-mesh beach seines of two different lengths

Abstract

This study examined the species composition and size structure of fish and macro-invertebrates captured by two dual-mesh beach seines of different lengths. Both nets captured small fish, large fish and juveniles. The longer net appeared to be the best choice as a sampling tool, but support for this choice was not strong. The assemblages caught by the two nets differed, but these differences did not mask overall spatial and temporal patterns in assemblage composition. The longer seine caught more species, but estimates of total densities for all individuals and densities of three common, commercially important fish species did not differ consistently between the two nets. Comparisons and generalizations based on studies that use different types of seines should be interpreted cautiously because design features may influence results in inconsistent and unpredictable ways.