Condition and survival of trawl caught juvenile Australasian snapper/tāmure (<i>Chrysophrys auratus</i>) using the Modular Harvesting System versus mesh codends

Abstract The condition and survival of juvenile (&amp;lt;250 mm fork length) Chrysophrys auratus (Australasian snapper, tāmure) were measured after capture from trawls equipped with either conventional mesh codends or the Modular Harvesting System (MHS), a novel fabric codend replacement designed to minimize damage to fish. The injury levels and reflex responsiveness of fish landed with the MHS were markedly better than for mesh codends, and closer to those of conspecifics reared in an aquaculture facility. Juvenile C. auratus captured with the MHS were less impacted by the effects of trawl depth, haul duration, and catch volume than fish from mesh codends, and most fish from the MHS (91%) were capable of swimming back down to depth provided they experienced less than 6 min of air exposure. Survival was markedly higher for the MHS compared to mesh codends at 48 h postcapture (84% versus 43% survival per haul) and long-term monitoring showed mesh codends induced high rates of abrasive damage leading to fin erosion and reduced growth, but not so the MHS. The MHS has great potential in improving the survivability of discards from trawls, particularly when coupled with improved on-board handling systems and processes.