Size selectivity of the RMT8 plankton net and a commercial trawl for Antarctic krill

Net selection of the scientific RMT8 plankton net and a commercial sized pelagic trawl has been studied. Selection curves indicate that krill length classes smaller 20 mm are underrepresented in the RMT8. For the commercial trawl with a liner mesh size of 12mm the length classes smaller 35 and 45 mm are undersampled, probably depending on the size composition of the catch. A preliminary study on krill damaged during trawling operations indicates an effect of trawling duration and total catch per haul.