PD989 Gannet is a small multipurpose boat fishing out of Scarborough Harbour. In February 2009 it was long-lining for whitefish along the coast north of Scarborough.

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Eight tubs of lines used, baited with squid. The size of hook and amount of bait used on each were smaller than that used by LT1020 Jolene in Suffolk the previous week. Layers of newspapers were used to prevent the hooks fouling the line. The fishing times also differed from the Jolene, much of this being done at night, the first lines being set by 5.00 GMT, and the first haul was underway by 6.30, the last being completed by 9.45.

The catch was varied, ca. one and a half boxes of cod generally under 50 cm, 3/4 box of whiting and bib (pout), one box small thornback ray, 1 ling. Some 10 lesser spotted dogfish were caught, killed and discarded.

This presence of young cod on this ‘hard ground’ close inshore was consistent with that mapped in the Fisheries Science Partnership North East Cod Survey. For a detailed discussion of the status of cod and thornback in the North Sea, see the initial opinion of the Suffolk Jolene.

Unfortunately, the abundance of small cod means that the fishery would score poorly for both stock status and selectivity. Other boats, such as the Jolene, fish in areas where cod are larger, so will score higher on selectivity. With regard to other criteria, the Gannet shots its lines at night, so seabird deaths will not be an issue. Impact on other wildlife and on habitats is also likely to be minimal. Fuel consumption will also be minimal.