2000 Shoreside Whiting Observation Program

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Hutton, Lara and Steve Parker

Publish Date: 2001

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 Shoreside Whiting Observation Program (SWOP) was established in 1992 to provide information for evaluating bycatch in the directed Pacific whiting (Merluccius productus) fishery and for evaluating conservation measures adopted to limit the catch of salmon and other prohibited species. The monitoring program has been continued annually 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 SWOP’s emphasis changed from a high observation rate (50% of landings), to a lower 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). The required observation rate was decreased as studies indicated that fish tickets were a good representation of what was actually being landed. Focus shifted 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 with the total whiting fishery landing between 22 and 50 percent. The SWOP is a cooperative effort between the fishing industry and state and federal 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. In 2000, written agreements were also signed by the vessels and their designated processors for the same purpose and to further bycatch reduction measures. These agreements will also be in effect for the 2001 season. The agreements set a vessel-specific maximum rate for yellowtail rockfish bycatch. In 2000, this rate was 12 kg of yellowtail rockfish per metric ton of whiting. Non-cumulative bycatch rate check points were set for when 30, 55, and 85 percent of the shoreside Pacific whiting quota had been landed. If a vessel exceeded the 12 kg/mt bycatch rate cap at any of these points it did not participate in the shoreside Pacific whiting fishery for one day for each kg/mt it was over the bycatch rate cap (i.e. no whiting was landed by this vessel for a set period of time during the following week). These penalties were enforced by the processors through their agreements with the vessels. Bycatch rates were calculated, using fish ticket information, by the ODFW in Newport, OR. In 2000, these management rules did not apply to the early part of the fishery off the coast of California (prior to June 15th) because this season opened (April 1st) prior to these measures being approved by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC). Participants in the SWOP are mid-water trawlers carrying EFPs, designated shoreside processing plants in California, Oregon, and Washington, the PFMC, the 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: 2000

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