The mesh selectivity of a drift net for yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) was examined in field experiments with six different net mesh size (40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65mm) from April to December, 2008 in the coastal areas of Jeollanam-do in Korea. The total catch of 6,748 consisted of yellow croaker (n=6,310; 89.1% of total catch), common mackerel (n=158; 5.6%) and other species (n=280; 9.6%). The selectivity curve for yellow croaker was fit by the models of selectivity curve in SELECT method. The optimal mesh size for 50% retention for minimum landing size (191mm) of yellow croaker was estimated as 49.6mm-51mm by selectivity curves. And the bi-normal model for the selectivity curve was found to fit the data best.

In order to estimate the optimum harvesting mesh size of multispecies, the 24 species of catching data which were taken by fishing trial of trawl gear in Korean Southern Coast and East China Sea during 1991-1993 year were grouped and divided by the Cluster analysis method, considering first maturity length and body width, body height, body girth based on the first maturity length. With the same method, the above groups were subdivided by the potential escape such as possible escape index, range factor and selection factor. In case of the species devoid of selection parameters, these species were first subdivided by the use of possible escape index and length range factor. Next, the optimum harvesting mesh size of multispecies was properly classified according to the optimal mesh size of a fish estimated by first maturity length against selection factor. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Each optimum harvesting mesh size of Psenopsis anomala, Priacanthus macra-canthus, Trachurus japonicus, Argyrosomus argentatus was 71.1-79.5mm, and Saurida undosquamis was 65.5mm. 2. Each optimum harvesting mesh size of Scomber japonicus, Pseudosciaena crosea, Pseudosciaena Polyactis, Sebastes thompsoni, Doderleinia berycoides was 78.5-85.6mm, and Bembras japonicus, Sphyraena pinguis was 48.4-51.3mm. 3. Each optimum harvesting mesh size of Zeus faber, Pampus argenteus, Zenopsis nebulosan was 118.4-124.1mm, and Caranx equula was 91.4mm, and Thamnaconus modestus was 131.2mm, and Pagrus major was 149.4mm. 4. Each optimum harvesting mesh size of Upeneus bensasi, Callanthias japonicus, Sardinops melanosticata, Konosirus punctatus was 36.8-42.8mm, and Acropoma japonicum was 21.2mm, and Apogon lineatus was 26.3mm.