Line-Fishing on the Continental Slope III. Mid-Water Fishing with Vertical Lines

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe results of bottom line fishing have shown that significant catches can be made down to 3000 m depth at several positions on the continental slope off south-west England (Forster, 1968). But when hooks were lifted off the bottom either deliberately or accidentally very few fish were taken. The chances of catching bathypelagic fish in mid-water by baited hooks therefore seemed slender. In 1966 when thin white lines were tried, they were bitten through several times, always at about 1100 m depth. Trials with baited hooks set on thin wire lines in 1967 showed that the black scabbard fish Aphanopus carbo could be taken at this depth. In 1968 and 1970 during the course of short voyages on R.V. ‘Sarsia’ further vertical line hauls were made, taking Aphanopus regularly and also two species of deep-water squaloids.