Fångststorlek

Fångststorlek is a term used in fisheries science and management to describe the quantity or size of a catch obtained during a fishing operation or over a specific time period. It can refer to the total weight of the catch, usually measured in kilograms or tonnes, or to the number of individuals caught. In many contexts, especially in multispecies fisheries, catch size is reported by species and may also include information about the size distribution of individuals within the catch.

Measurement and reporting methods vary. Total catch weight and catch numbers are commonly recorded from landings or vessel logbooks. In addition to totals, size distributions are often analyzed using length-frequency data, mean length, and size structure to understand the population dynamics of target and bycatch species. Data may be collected from on-board observers, electronic monitoring, or port-side inspections.

Fångststorlek is a key input for stock assessments, fisheries management, and economic planning. It informs quota setting, harvest limits, and minimum landing sizes. It is often paired with effort data to derive indicators such as catch per unit effort (CPUE), which helps gauge changes in fish abundance and exploitation levels. Variability in catch size arises from factors such as gear type, season, location, environmental conditions, and regulatory measures.

In practice, managers use captured catch size information to monitor stock health, evaluate the effectiveness of management measures, and ensure sustainable harvesting while considering economic implications for the fishing industry. See also CPUE, stock assessment, bycatch, landings.