Size selectivity of codend mesh size of shrimp beam trawl for Metapenaeus ensis in South China Sea

In order to investigate the size selectivity of codend of shrimp beam trawl for Metapenaeus ensis, with covered codend method and trouser trawl method, we carried out fishing experiments on two traditional diamond-mesh codends (D25 and D30), and six novel combined square-mesh and diamond-mesh codends (S35+D18, S25+D25, S30+D25, S35+D25, S35+D30 and S35+D35) in the South China Sea during 2014−2017. We used maximum likelihood method to estimate the selective parameters at haul by haul level and combined haul level with the logistic equation. The results indicate that the D25 and D30 codend were nearly nonselective for M. ensis. In experiments of covered codend method, the mean 50% retention lengths (L₅₀) of M. ensis for the S35+D18, S25+D25, S30+D25 and S35+D25 codends were 51.52 mm, 60.84 mm, 63.21 mm and 64.53 mm, respectively, and the mean selection ranges (SR) were 16.48 mm, 14.31 mm, 12.84 mm and 9.75 mm, respectively. In the experiments of trouser trawl method, the mean L₅₀s for the S35+D25, S35+D30 and S35+D35 were 75.43 mm, 82.38 mm and 95.39 mm, respectively, and the mean SRs were 6.93 mm, 6.39 mm and 20.44 mm, respectively, and the mean relative fishing intensities (p) were 0.51, 0.52 and 0.64, respectively. Considering the first mature length of M. ensis (80 mm) in the South China Sea as well as economical efficiency of fishing and selective properties of codends, it is suggested that the S35+D30 has the best selectivity. The results are benefit for the management of shrimp beam trawl and sustainable harvest of the fishery resources of M. ensis in the South China Sea.