Catch comparison of flatfish pulse trawls and a tickler chain beam trawl

The pulse trawls had fewer fish discards (57%, p < 0.0001), including 62% undersized plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) (p < 0.0001), and 80% discarded weight of benthic invertebrates (p = 0.0198) per hectare. The pulse fishing technique resulted in a lower fuel consumption (37-49%), and consequently in spite of lower landings net revenues were higher. A downside of using pulse trawls is the possible spinal damage of marketable cod (Gadus morhua L.), but because total cod landings by beam trawls are low (4-5%), the implication will likely be limited.