Avoiding grey seal depredation in the Baltic Sea while increasing catch rates of cod

The escalating conflict between gillnet fisheries and the growing seal populations in Baltic Sea has increased need to reduce direct effects form of reduced or damaged catches. This study describes design catch rates 20 different safe cod (Gadus morhua) pot designs suitable for Sea. Catches numbers individuals total weight were recorded 2762 hauls with pots varying terms size, shape, number entrances, entrance length, placement relation sea floor holding chamber. aim was investigate how soak times affected under similar conditions. Volume time significantly positively correlated round bottom-standing a fish chamber, funnels 5 entrances had highest rates. findings are important development pots, which can allow fishers continue fishing areas high density static gear hence low-carbon emission minimum bycatch marine mammals birds.