Innovative Vibrating Hydraulic Dredge for Striped Venus (Chamelea gallina) Fishing

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Except for aquaculture, most fisheries have the problem of bycatch, as mentioned in this study.

In that respect, the approach of this study is excellent.

However, this reviewer had to imagine the experimental process and results while reading this manuscript.

Here are a few things that need to be corrected.

1. Too much background is explained in the introduction that is not relevant to the study. Please summarize the background of your research.

2. There are not enough photo materials.
3. aa) It will be easier to understand if the pictures of the equipment on the ship are attached along with Figure 3.
4. bb) Chapter 3.1 as well. Please attach pictures of the actual catch (length, bycatch, discard, etc.) together with the table.

Because this study is the result of an experiment, it is necessary to convey the situation in the field in more detail.

Author Response

Reply to Reviewer #1 comments

Except for aquaculture, most fisheries have the problem of bycatch, as mentioned in this study.

In that respect, the approach of this study is excellent.

However, this reviewer had to imagine the experimental process and results while reading this manuscript.

Here are a few things that need to be corrected.

1. Too much background is explained in the introduction that is not relevant to the study. Please summarize the background of your research.

The background in the Introduction has been shortened

1. There are not enough photo materials.
2. aa) It will be easier to understand if the pictures of the equipment on the ship are attached along with Figure 3.

As requested, Figure 3 has been implemented including the equipment on the ship above the scheme.

1. bb) Chapter 3.1 as well. Please attach pictures of the actual catch (length, bycatch, discard, etc.) together with the table.

As requested, we added an additional Figure (4) reporting the comparison between traditional and innovative entire capture before the sorter.

Because this study is the result of an experiment, it is necessary to convey the situation in the field in more detail.

The improved Figure 1 and relative comments should address the referee’s suggestion too.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors, 

I have no objection to publishing this manuscript. Some inputs may increase clarity of information to the readers. 

Regards,  

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Reply to reviewer #2 comments

Draft Manuscript entitled ‘Innovative vibrating hydraulic dredge for striped venus (Chamelea gallina) fishing’

Authors : Giuseppina Mascilongo, et al.

General Comment

This research is a great example of how to perform experimental fishing for the stationary species'striped venus,' with a focus on fishing gear comparison. Answering research questions is an example of an invention (Reference 29). The manuscript was well-written and could be published with minor changes.

Comment to Authors

Abstract

The abstract has been written in a clear and informative manner.

Thank you

Introduction.

It would be more instructive to improve Figure 1, especially with detail bathymetry and a description of the ecosystem of the sampling location. (See lines 129-132). Mediterranean Marine Science, Voi.18, 2017. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.1933.

As requested, Figure 1 has been implemented and the caption modified accordingly. We also added some text to better explain the sampling location.

Materials and Method.

Figure 2. Please add Note: Non-Scale, due to the technical sketch without any picture scale.

Thank you, as requested we added this note in the Figure’s Caption. We also increase the resolution of this figure.

Result

The findings were presented in a logical and well-written manner. The authors conducted a test on the GLM model's performance, and it was chosen as a quadratic polynomial eligible for further investigation. This appears to be suitable.

As stated in the Method, that this exploratory fishing using attached camera in the mouth of the dredge. Therefore, it is suggested that there is one or two pictures, showing gear under water performance inserted in the Result (or in Appendix).

As requested, we introduced a new 3.4 (Videos) in the Results section we reported, as Supplementary materials, two video collages (for traditional and innovative dredges) representing the frontal view of the dredge opening (6x slowed).

Discussion.

I propose that there be a discussion about demersal fish sample design, such as venus, with the assumption that fish are distributed randomly along the age class. For a population with high variation in spatio-temporal distributions, this design can greatly enhance sampling precision when compared to a standard random design.

A sentence was added. In fact, we decided for the simplest design: a random stratified (by age) design might improve the analysis, but maybe that the true situation is a patchy, contagious distribution (double Poisson); for this reason we prefer not to enter in a profound discussion about this issue.

Another topic of discussion, as noted in the conclusion, might be the future applicability in terms of technological and economic feasibility.

As requested, at the end of the discussion, we added a paragraph on the future applicability of the proposed technology in terms of technological and economic feasibility.

Conclusion

Very good conclusion.

Thank you

Author Response File: Author Response.docx