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A series of nine fishing trips with on board observers were carried out on MFV UK153 (PT1) and two beam trawlers (BT1, BT2) of comparative engine power and size to appraise the performance of pulse beam v.s. conventional tickler chain beam trawls. The main conclusions from this study are: 1. Landings of plaice and sole are significantly lower in the pulse trawl when compared to the conventional beam trawl. 2. There was no significant difference in the catch rates of undersized (discard) plaice between the pulse trawl and the conventional trawl. 3. In the pulse trawl, the catch rates of undersized (discard) sole were significantly lower than in the conventional beam trawl. 4. The catch rates of benthic fauna (nrs/hr of Astropecten irregularis, Asterias rubens, and Liocarcinus holsatus) were significantly lower in the pulse trawl compared to the conventional beam trawl. 5. There are indications that undersized plaice are damaged to a lesser degree in the pulse trawl and will survive better in the pulse trawl. Based on previous research, these results would indicate a survival rate of plaice in the pulse trawl that is twice as high as in a conventional beam trawl. But since the method of determining damage to fish by visual observation is subjective, this conclusion should be treated with caution.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used at relatively high concentrations in various materials and polymers.Their use has expanded considerably during the last three decades. The annual global demand was estimated to 200 000 tons in 1999. The most frequently used brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality (LNV) a monitoring programme has been started in 2003, as part of the Programme nr. 378, ‘Guarding the Quality of Dutch Agricultural, Horticultural and Fishery Products’. The programme included a survey of BFRs in Dutch freshwater and marine fish, and shellfish. The results of this survey are presented in this report.