1999 Shoreside Whiting Observation Program

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Hutton, Lara and Stave Parker

Publish Date: 1999

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: The Pacific Whiting Shoreside Observation Program was established in 1992 to provide information for evaluating bycatch in the directed Pacific whiting fishery and for evaluating conservation measures adopted to protect salmon and other prohibited species. The program has been continued annually in order to account for all catch in targeted whiting trip landings, potential discards, and accommodate the landing of non-sorted catch from these trips. In 1995, the program’s emphasis was changed from a high target rate of observation (50% of landings), to a lower target rate (10% of landings) and increased collection of biological information (e.g., otoliths, length, weight, sex, and maturity) from Pacific whiting and selected bycatch species (yellowtail and widow rockfish, sablefish, Pacific mackerel, and jack mackerel). Focus has shifted yet again due to 1997 changes in the allocation of yellowtail rockfish and increases in yellowtail bycatch rates. Since then, yellowtail bycatch in the shoreside whiting fishery has been 8-16% of the total yellowtail allocation. The observation program is a cooperative effort between the fishing industry and management agencies to observe and collect information on directed Pacific whiting landings at shoreside processing plants. Participating vessels apply for and carry exempted fishing permits (EFPs) issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Permit terms require vessels to land unsorted whiting at designated shoreside processing plants. Permitted vessels are not penalized for landing prohibited species (e.g., Pacific salmon, Pacific halibut, Dungeness crab), nor are they held liable for overages of groundfish trip limits. In 1999, written agreements were made with designated processors to provide a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the processors and agencies involved. Participants are mid-water trawlers carrying EFPs, designated shoreside processing plants in California, Oregon, and Washington, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), NMFS, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 1999

Geographic Extent: Washington, Oregon, and California

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown