Originally Posted By: Todd
Rick, they do not. Gillnets have an associated release mortality that is high, probably in the neighborhood of 40%, at least...but that doesn't make them "non-selective"...it makes them selective with a 40% release mortality.

"Selective" is a term of art, and co-opting it to mean "purse seines are and gillnets aren't" doesn't chage that.

Fish on...

Todd

OK, I get what you are saying. But if they are not tended very closely they kill everything 100%. Let a net soak for 4 hours while to go to another set and everything is dead when you come back.
I think purse seines let fishies swim around and not drown if not as closely tended but I have never purse seined so cannot speak from experience.
All in all, I think this reasonable person thinks seines are way more selective than gill nets. YMMV.

PS This post does not speak to ESA mortality in figuring catch limits and I fully agree with you on that , "just the law, mam."


Edited by Doctor Rick (12/23/10 12:59 AM)