Bottom trawling on a carbonate shelf: Do we get what we see?

Bottom trawling is a common fisheries method and also widespread scientific sampling for benthic demersal species. Selectivity catchability are usually estimated using different meshes studies with alternative methods rare. In this study, to improve the estimation of trawl selectivity, we compare bottom catches recordings made by camera fitted on top net. Scientific was conducted along Northeast Brazilian shelf, typical carbonate shelf presence sponges, coralline bottoms high water visibility. total, 23 taxa (19 species four genera) were identified in videos 30 (25 five trawls, indicating higher potential record richness. Overall, no significant differences observed assemblage structure underwater footages. However, divergences fish between trawls videos. Net more selective low swimming capacity, while shelter fast capacity seemed be underestimated. Furthermore, footages allowed an assessment impacts erect sponges observation damage large branching tubular sponges. The vulnerability those habitats that concentrate diversity mechanical impact raise need creation preventive measures protect these sensitive areas from commercial fishing operations. use less destructive important survey under special conditions, particularly conservation areas. study could not used as complete which presented efficiency, however, had shown useful complement. Possibly, speed height determined operation affected performance video sampling, being performed suboptimal conditions. Using dedicated such towed video, significantly its efficiency compensate disadvantages