Investigation of a cover net designed to reduce southern cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) fisheries depredation in a pound net

Abstract

A cover net was placed over the pot of a pound net to investigate if it w-ould reduce predation by the southern cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis. Analysis of morning observations of cormorant activity revealed no significant effect of the cover net on either the total number of cormorants at the net or the number ofdives by cormorants inside the pot. Cormorants dived significantly (p<0.05) more between the wings, and in the throat of the pound net when the cover net was in place, entering the pot underwater through the throat. The total catch of the pound net was low, and no significant differences could be seen for the total number offish caught or I he total number of individual species (Atlantic herring, cod, and flounder), with or without the cover net in place. The number of Atlantic herring and flounder that were damaged by cormorants was not significantly different with or without the cover net in place. © 1993 Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer.