Why does the Pomfret net effectively reduce the bycatch of non-target fish?
Publish Time: 2025-08-05
In modern fisheries, improving fishing efficiency and protecting marine ecosystems have become two crucial goals. Overfishing and the bycatch of non-target species not only waste resources but also threaten marine biodiversity. Against this backdrop, the Pomfret net, a specialized fishing gear designed specifically for catching silver pomfret, effectively reduces the bycatch of non-target fish through its scientific design and precise structural parameters, making it a crucial tool for sustainable fisheries.
The key to the Pomfret net's success lies in its "targeted design" philosophy. Traditional fishing nets often use universal mesh sizes and structures, resulting in the capture of target fish while also catching large numbers of non-target fish of similar size or behavior. This phenomenon is known as "bycatch" or "accidental catch." The Pomfret net, however, draws on in-depth research into the physiological characteristics, swimming habits, and schooling behavior of silver pomfret to optimize every detail of the gear, achieving a more selective catch.
First, precise mesh size is crucial for reducing bycatch. Pomfret are flat, with a wide side width but a relatively moderate height. Adult pomfret typically range in width from 15 to 25 cm. The mesh of the pomfret net features a diamond or square pattern. Through repeated experimentation and data analysis, the mesh size is determined to ensure that only pomfret can enter the net smoothly while preventing smaller juveniles and other small fish from escaping. This "selective passage" mechanism ensures that only pomfret that meet a certain size are effectively caught, while individuals that fall below the target size or non-target species have an opportunity to escape, thereby protecting the sustainable regeneration of fish stocks.
Second, the overall structural design of the pomfret net fully considers the behavioral characteristics of the target fish species. Pomfret typically school, swim at a moderate speed, and prefer to feed in the mid- and upper-water layers. Therefore, the pomfret net features a streamlined body and tapered mesh design to naturally guide fish into the net opening, minimizing struggles and escape attempts. The net's opening height and width are optimized to accommodate the horizontal spread of pomfret schools, preventing the stray entry of other vertically oriented or fast-moving fish (such as mackerel and bonito). Furthermore, some high-end pomfret nets feature guides or light and sound traps at the opening to further enhance their appeal to pomfret and reduce the chance of other fish straying into the net.
The choice of materials also indirectly contributes to reducing bycatch. Pomfret nets are made from high-strength, low-stretch polyethylene or nylon fibers, ensuring the mesh shape remains stable in water and resists stretching or deformation that could alter its selectivity. These materials also offer excellent resistance to UV rays, salt and alkali, and abrasion, ensuring they maintain structural integrity over extended periods of operation, preventing damage that could lead to ineffective or non-selective catches.
Furthermore, the pomfret net's lightness and ease of operation enhance fishermen's precision. Because the net is lightweight and flexible, fishermen can adjust their fishing methods in real time based on sea conditions, fish distribution, and fishing targets, avoiding blindly casting nets in areas densely populated with non-target species and thus reducing the risk of bycatch.
In summary, the pomfret net, through scientific mesh size design, targeted structural optimization, the use of high-performance materials, and excellent operational performance, has created an efficient and environmentally friendly fishing system. It not only improves pomfret fishing efficiency but, more importantly, significantly reduces bycatch of non-target species, providing practical technical support for sustainable fisheries development.
