Pelagic fishing activities ('Pelagos'= ocean) by the PFA are carried out by freezer-trawlers. The target species are small pelagics species, such as herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, sardinella, blue whiting and silver smelt, which swim together in shoals and often migrate over long distances in the ocean. The shoals of pelagic fish are located with the help of echo-sounding equipment. From the echogram it is possible to estimate the depth and the size of the shoal. The net is towed behind the ship just below the water surface or further down in the water column, not reaching the sea bed.
Pelagic fishing gear is constantly undergoing further improvements to ensure a responsible fishery, i.e. higher selectivity. Special measures and aides - such as large mesh sizes in the front part of the net - are being developed to prevent the catch of non desirable species of juvenile fish. The PFA cooperates closely with marine scientists and gear specialists in a number of research projects.
