Eichert et al, 2026, Increasing soak time improves size selection and harvesting patterns in common whelk (Buccinum undatum) pot fisheries Springer Nature
Eichert et al. (2026) investigated how soak time affects size selectivity in common whelk pot fisheries and found that longer soak times significantly improve the escape of undersized individuals. Extending soak time from 18 to 46 hours increased the proportion of legally sized whelks retained from 75% to 97%, demonstrating how simple adjustments to fishing practices can enhance selectivity and support sustainable harvesting.
