The numbers of fish caught and photographed in the eastern North Atlantic (49-52°N and 10-15°W) were compared from 46 hauts, made between 1979 and 1983 using an epibenthic sledge with an ancillary camera. There were 1966 specimens captured and 258 photographed. Fish species of similar appearance were grouped to aid identification from photographs. The 20 speciesjgroups common to both gears were represented by 83.6% of the specimens captured. Although there was good correlation between the numbers, catch density was about one third of that photographed, demonstrating how much such estimates may be at variance. Larger species showed a greater discrepancy, to suggest net avoidance. A bow-wave might sweep aside less active animais. The camera also demonstrated... |