Effects of fishing power and competitive interactions among vessels on the effort allocation on the trip level of the Dutch beam trawl fleet

Variations in catch rates in relation to the spatial distribution of beam trawlers were analyzed using mandatory logbook data from the Dutch fleet for 1990–1996. Catch rates by trip, corrected for differences in market value, showed a consistent seasonal pattern with the highest values found during autumn and winter. Catch rates showed a log-linear relationship with engine power, indicating differences in competitive abilities among vessels. In 65% of the fishing trips, catch per unit of effort is equalized among fishing grounds. In the remaining trips, catch rates were below average, suggesti... Mehr ...