2002 Shoreside Whiting Observation Program

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Wiedoff, Brett and Steve Parker

Publish Date: 2002

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, other groundfish and prohibited species. Though instituted as an experimental monitoring program, it has been continued annually to account for all catch in targeted whiting trip landings, enumerate potential discards, and accommodate the landing and disposal of nonsorted 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 (Sebastes flavidus), widow rockfish (S. entomelas), sablefish (Anopaploma firmbria), chub (Pacific) mackerel (Scomber japonicus), and jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus). The required observation rate was decreased as studies indicated that fish tickets were a good representation of what was actually landed. Focus shifted again due to 1997 changes in the allocation of yellowtail rockfish and increases in yellowtail bycatch rates. Since then, yellowtail and widow bycatch in the shoreside whiting fishery has been dramatically reduced because of increased awareness by fishermen of the bycatch and allocation issues involved in the SWOP program. An increase in juvenile sablefish catch has focused some concern on bycatch in 2002. 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 catch 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. Participants in the SWOP are mid-water trawlers carrying EFPs, designated shoreside processing plants in California, Oregon, and Washington, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (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). Beginning 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, and to provide a mechanism to enforce bycatch reduction measures, specifically for yellowtail rockfish. The agreements set a vessel-specific maximum rate for yellowtail rockfish bycatch at 12 kg of yellowtail rockfish per metric ton of whiting. Noncumulative 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 was not permitted to 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 could be landed by this vessel for a set period of time) (for previous annual bycatch rates see Parker (2001) or the website listed in the references). The processors enforce these penalties through their operating agreements with the vessels. Bycatch rates were calculated using fish ticket information on landings. This strategy, especially knowledge of the operating requirements of the EFP and the fishery goals, has dramatically reduced yellowtail rockfish and widow rockfish bycatch.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 1992-2002

Geographic Extent: Washington, Oregon, and California

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

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Data Information

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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